The day started with me getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist.
We ate breakfast around 10:30 A.M. at Cracker Barrel.
I ordered whole-wheat buttered toast, one scrambled egg, two slices of bacon, and unsweetened tea with lemon.
My husband ordered the Big Breakfast.
Our waitress said, I am running my butt off today because we are swamped.
Our next stop was in St Joseph, Tennessee, for lottery and scratch tickets.
I spent $5 on scratch-offs and won $7.
Most of the time, I don't win anything.
We took Highway 64 into Pulaski for sightseeing.
Giles County Historic Museum was our first stop, which was located in the Library. It was one huge room full of unforgettable, historic, notable, striking, and impressive items.
 |
| Giles County Historic Museum. |
 |
| A chair from the courthouse that was used (1857-1900) during the Civil |
 |
| Giles County Historic Museum. |
In the one room museum, we saw a wall hanging quilt, Tennessee fifty-one Confederate Generals, Defending Elm Springs, picture of Rev Samuel Howell, a bookshelf full of old books, chair from the courthouse used (1857-1900) during the Civil, a wedding dress, several old school pictures, Medical books that belonged to Dr Louis A Edmundson, a picture of Walter Herschel Beech 1891-1950 builder of the Beechcraft Airplanes that we saw a few weeks ago in Tullahoma, Tin sign telling about Sam Davis, US Flag, Confederate Flag, & four wall hanging of Churches in Giles County.
Sitting in a corner was a case full of information about the Kentucky Derby, in which Mr. Mars played an important part.
 |
| Gallahadion Winning the Kentucky Derby. |
 |
| CSB Bank is located inside this beautiful old home, which is being repaired |
 |
| Hubert & Grace Grissom Colonial Hall College |
Our next stop was the Sam Davis Memorial Museum, the site of Sam Davis' hanging, located in the Sam Davis Avenue Historic District.
 |
Sam Davis Avenue Historic District
Tracing the original eastern city boundary and the Congressional Reservation Line, once dividing white and Indian territory, Sam Davis Avenue is named for a Confederate hero hanged by the Federals on this hill in 1863. The Historical District, placed on the National Register in 1989, contains outstanding architecture of the 1860~1910 period. |
 |
The Sam Davis Memorial Museum, where Sam Davis was hanged
Born October 6, 1842, near Smyra, Rutherford County, TN, though a Confederate Soldier in the line of duty, he was executed as a spy by the Federals at Pulaski, November 27, 1863
Had I a thousand lives to live
Had I a thousand lives to give
I'd give them Nay
I'd gladly die
Before I'd live
One Life a Lie
|
Sam Davis's home, grave, and Museum are located in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Sam Davis was buried near the family home, supposedly in a flowerbed, on Christmas Eve.
The home and farm are now used to host weddings, events, festivals, tours, guided hunting activities, and other seasonal activities.
 |
| Milky Way Farms Gates |
 |
Milky Way Farms
The farm began in 1931 when Frank Mars, the founder of the Mars Candy Company, purchased land in Tennessee. It was during a period of severe economic hardship in Giles County, and many people were losing their homes. Mr. Mars bought up the land, let the people stay in their homes, and had them work for him.
His farm employed hundreds of workers from the Giles County Area. Mr Mars had prized Herefords, the fastest horses, fine sheep, incredible barns, and a fantastic view for his house set atop a hill overlooking the valley below.
|
 |
| Milky Way Farms |
 |
| Milky Way Farms Manor House |
 |
| The original dining room table measures 12' x 28' and can seat up to 40 people. |
 |
| Fountain |
- In 1930-31, Frank Mars acquired 2,805 acres of land in Giles County.
- In 1931, Frank Mars built the original home clubhouse, which burned down within a few months.
- In 1931-32, Frank Mars rebuilt the Manor House as it stands today out of stone from his 2,800-acre estate (25,000 square feet, 20 bedrooms, 14 baths, and two ½ baths)
- In 1931-34, a total of 30 barns, 70 cottages, a Mausoleum, and the world-famous "crooked sheep barn" were built.
- In 1931-34, as many as 935 local hired hands were working for $.50 a day at Milky Way Farm.
- In 1932, Frank Mars introduced the Three Musketeer candy bar
- In 1932, Frank designed and built the Milky Way race track, where many champion thoroughbreds were trained including the 1940 Kentucky Derby Winner, Gallahadion
- In 1931-34, Milky Way Farm was home to five nationally known livestock operations: Hereford cattle, thoroughbred horses, commercial dairy, beef cattle, and Hampshire sheep
- The dining room table measures 12' x 28' and can seat up to 40 people.
We watched a five-minute video about the farm, we asked a few questions, and then we were told we could tour the whole house except the kitchen, where the curator was cooking.
The curator had a pot of green beans cooking in the kitchen for a large group arriving later that day. Boy, did they smell good! They have weddings & entertain large groups.
 |
| Staircase in Manor |
 |
| Staircase in Manor |
 |
| One of the twenty Bedrooms in the manor |
 |
| Fireplace in the Master Bedroom |
 |
| One of the twenty Bedrooms in the manor |
|
 |
| Fireplace in the Living Room |
A lot of the farm has been sold, and most of the rest of it. The roads are not very good, so we did not venture any further.
We were going to try out the Bar BQ Restaurant between Athens and Rogersville, but it is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays.
We picked up the van from Champion Chrysler after having the back seat fixed, so it will fit well in the storage and can be raised back into a sitting position.
We drove to Stanfield's in Rogersville, and my husband ordered a New York Strip, baked potato, and salad bar. I ordered the kids a three-piece shrimp plate with coleslaw and two hushpuppies.
Another hot day adventure, but most of what we did was inside.
 |
| The clouds were beautiful today. |
