2023 OCT 5, Trip to Mobile, Kathryn Tucker Winham Museum & the Clarke County Museum

 Day 1: Thursday

On our way to Mobile, we made several stops.

We stopped in Thomasville to tour the Kathryn Tucker Museum (Storyteller). The curator walked us through the museum telling us some of the history of Mrs. Windham.

Mrs. Windham was famous for her ghost stories about "Jeffery the ghost" who took up residence in Mrs. Windham's home.

Kathryn Tucker Windham T-shirt with Jeffrey's Ghost on the Front. 

The story about how Kathryn got her first camera!

A sculpture of Kathryn by her good friend
 "Charlie Lucas"

Kathryn's life story is told in a quilt.

Reserved for Ghost Jeffery 

We thanked our guide and she said if we liked the museum we should stop at Clarke County Museum Grover Hill, Al

Clarke County Historical Museum with Pioneer Village in back.

The museum was having some issues with the inside of the building so much of the displays were in disarray on the ground level. 

French Bed 

We walked upstairs to see a bedroom with a French Bed, this bed was made about 1825 and was constructed from French walnut. It came from the plantation of Samuel Barnes which was located in the once-thriving town of Suggsville in eastern Clarke County. The bed posts are hollow so that a canopy could be added. The bed was donated by Mrs, Donald Mills of Montgomery. Barne's great-granddaughter.

Josiah and Lucy Martin Matthew Cabin 
This structure was donated to the Clarke Co Historical Society to its present site. 
Restored in 2008.

We learned that Clarke County was home to 3 salt works during the Civil War.  These Springs were also used by the Native Americans. 

We also learned that during the Civil War prices of Salt escalated so high that the workers were paid in salt. Prices rose from $1.25 per bushel of 50 pounds in 1861 to $50 by the end of the Civil War. 

When the rumor circulated that Mobile was captured everyone scattered that ending the widespread use of the works.  

Salt-making kettle 

Pioneer Day for 2023 will be October 28, 9-3 at the Clarke County Museum. 

Pies, cakes, and other homemade baked goods will be available. The famous Gee's Bend quilters will be demonstrating quilting and will be selling some of their beautiful handiwork. Winky Hicks and friends will be playing bluegrass music and storyteller Deborah Rankins will be on hand to tell local tales.

We thanked our curator and began our final journey to Mobile. 

We will be staying at the Battle House Renaissance Hotel room 5242 another historic site. 

The hotel is connected to the completely new and impressive RSA Battle House Tower. The RSA Hotel is the tallest building in the state it is 40 stories tall. 

Original opened in 1852. The Franklin Hotel was on this site before burning down in 1829.

Andrew Jackson set up headquarters in 1812. The first Mardi Gras Ball was held in the Crystal Ballroom in 1852.

Elvis Presley stayed the night he was kicked off of the fairgrounds for doing the "Shake" in 1952.

It has a Whispering Arch, the Six Flags of Mobile.

1702-1763 French Flag

1763-1780 British Flag

1780-1813 Spanish Flag

1813 -1861 1st US Flag 

1851-1861- Antebellum Period 

1861-1864 - Alabama Confederate Flag 

1964-present 2nd US Flag 

In the whispering arch ceiling area you can see Louis XIV, George Washington, Ferdinand V, and George III.

Whispering Arches

The Grand Ballroom 

We walked up the street to Loda Bier Garten for dinner but were stopped by two men from Chanel 10 Fox News. One with a camera and the other with a microphone. He asked us if we were going on the Cruise ship out of Mobile and we said yes. So he interviewed us and we were on TV that night. 

I had several people on the Carnival Cruise Ship Spirit who said they saw me on TV. 

This was the first ship out of Mobile for over a year. The bay had to be drugged so bigger ships could dock.

We continued our journey to the Bier Garten where we enjoyed a hamburger, fries, and fried mushrooms. 

It had been a long day so we returned to the hotel took a hot shower and climbed into bed. 

We wanted to be rested before we began our journey on the Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship to the Bahamas. 

Fried Mushroom at Lola's Bier Garten in Mobile 

2021 Nov 14-20, Carnival VALOR 5 Day Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico

2021 Nov 14, Sunday 

Monday, Traveled to Slidell, Louisiana We stopped in North Port at Mapco and filled up with gas for $29.49. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel in Meridian, MS I ordered pinto beans fried okra, and grilled chicken. $6.53 We also had cornbread, biscuits, jelly, and water. Bought gas at 2.99 a gallon at Mapco in Northport, Al. for $29.49 and bought gas at Texaco Carrier, MS for $3.09 a gallon. We stayed at Hampton Inn in Slidedell at 4:40 PM. We watched TV and went to bed early. We skipped supper full of lunch. 

We stayed one night at Hampton Inn 56460 Frank Pichon Rd, Slidell, La 

Carnival Valor Cruise Ship Stateroom   Deck   Muster Station  

2021 Nov 15, Monday 

Took a shower ate Reese's cup and finished my Sprite. We ate breakfast at the hotel. I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, and cranberry juice to drink. We checked out, loaded the car, and headed into New Orleans. We ran into work traffic on 1-10 going into New Orleans. We parked on 4A in the parking deck walked to the elevators and went to the ground level to wait in line to be processed along with everyone else. A woman called out Have your boarding passes ready for inspection (not folded) We walked through several lines. We handed the inspector our passports, boarding passes, COVID cards, and the results of our Covid test that showed we were negative from the results of the Covid test. Several more lines & finally we were seated waiting to board the ship at 10:40 AM. Our rooms would not be ready until after 1:30 p.m. After boarding the ship we walked to Guys Burgers where we both ordered a hamburger and fries. I got lemonade to drink. The dressing for the hamburger was on a buffet, I got onions and fried mushrooms. When we finished we walked around the ship carrying several bags. (Camera bag with Nikon D7200, medicine bag, my purse, and overnight bag) Wanda had her backpack and her purse. Around 1:30pm we walked to our cabin unloaded everything and rested. We went back upstairs to watch the ship leave the dock and that’s when the party began. (4-5PM )We watched the sunset as the ship rolled down the mighty Mississippi and it was dark by the time we reached the ocean. We went back to our cabin and changed into nicer clothes to dine in the Lincoln Room for dinner. I started with a shrimp cocktail, followed by a Caesar Salad, the entree was Sweet & Sour Shrimp followed by Strawberry cake. (5-6PM) At dinner we sat next to a couple from Tennessee near Cookeville, they had left their 13-year-old daughter at home with her grandparents because she refused to get the Covid shot. After dinner, we went to our cabin 9268 which had a balcony, and went to bed early. 

Leaving New Orleans on Carnival Valor 

Sunset leaving New Orleans on the Mighty Mississippi River 

 Nov 16, Tuesday, Sea Day

Took a shower and we went upstairs so Wanda could get her some coffee and I got some cranberry juice. We watched the sunrise around 6Am then went to the Washington room for Brunch. I ordered a Parfait it had lots of nuts, Blueberries, strawberries, and yogurt. While we were at brunch they cleaned our cabin and left a towel art laying on the bed. I ate a small taco for lunch. Today is a sea day so we sat outside and watched schools of flying fish. Today was very windy and the water was very turbulent. It was hard to walk and at times everyone looked like they were drunk. We had dinner in the Lincoln Room no one sat next to us tonight. I ordered prime ribs with gravy and potatoes, my appetizer was cocktail shrimp and for dessert, I ordered custard pie. 

 

Sunset Gulf of Mexico (Sea Day)

Nov 17, Wednesday, Mr. Sancho's Cozumel Mexico 

Watched the sun come up and then went to breakfast. For breakfast, I ate cantaloupe, French toast with syrup, eggs Benedict (which I didn't like), and chocolate milk. Today we docked in Cozumel. We took a taxi to Mr. Sancho’s which cost us 17 dollars both ways. It is a fifteen-minute ride south of Cozumel. At Mr. Sancho’s it cost us 55 dollars for all-you-can-eat and drink. We sampled a Margarita, & daiquiris while sitting under a bamboo roof.  There was a rain shower while we were there but we didn’t get wet. We watched people swimming, snorkeling, and other activities but we decided to just enjoy the view under the umbrella. We saw several birds scavenging for food. We were brought fried jumbo coconut shrimp, with orange sauce, guacamole, salsa, and chips. We also sampled a Pina Colada, Miami Vice, Banana Mama, and Mr. Sancho’s special. Our waiter was Aldo a charming young man who said he was married with a young son. He said that we were queens for the day. He introduced us to his co-worker he said the son of another mother both were very gracious and helpful. We took the taxi back to the shopping area in Cozumel. I bought a pair of pineapple teal shorts and a Burgundy top and spent $34.50. We went back through security and loaded onto the ship around 2:30PM. We watched the ship leave port at 4:30PM. We ate dinner in the Lincoln Room. I ordered Caesar salad, steak with gravy, potatoes, & broccoli. My appetizer was a shrimp cocktail and the dessert was chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Tomorrow we will dock in Progresso. 

Day trip to Cozumel 

Our waiter Aldo at Mr. Sancho's Beach

Nov 18, Thursday, Progresso Mexico 

Ate breakfast and saw towel art everywhere around the pool area. We docked at Progresso and embarked around 9AM with my boarding pass around my neck and my iPad in my hand. We loaded into a van, and there were 14 of us. We rode about an hour to Celestron where we used the restrooms and loaded into three boats. There were 4 in two boats and six in one boat. Wanda said I hope we don’t turn over because I cannot swim and our guide Misael said the water is only two feet deep. We saw pink flamingos at a distance. Flamingos eat small shrimp that live in shallow waters. They also eat algae & crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. These pigments are found in the shrimp and blue-green algae that they eat. Next, we rode a short distance and saw Blue Herons, osprey, American Anhinga, and pygmy kingfisher. We rode through a tunnel of Mangroves where we saw several termite mounds in the mangrove Yucatán peninsula biodiversity. We stopped at a boardwalk where we saw a pygmy kingfisher. We rode back to where we had parked the van, exited the boat used the rest-rooms, and looked at the trinkets that were for sale. We loaded into the van and rode to the beach area where our meals were being prepared. At the restaurant, we ate chips & guacamole dip, smoked fish, veggies, and a margarita. We stayed on the beach for about 30 minutes. 

Loaded back into the van for an hour-long ride back to the ship. Our guide played the movie "The Big Year" a nature movie about two bird enthusiasts trying to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.

We loaded onto the ship and watched the ship leave port at sunset. We dressed for dinner, cocktail shrimp, Cajun shrimp, bread, and dessert We went to a show for about 60 minutes. 

Island of Progreso 

                                                                  

Some of the birds that we saw at Progreso 

 Nov 19, Friday, Sea Day 

Sea Day we are on our return trip to New Orleans. We ate brunch in the Washington room, I ordered bread and sausage with cheese grits. We went upstairs and got in line to purchase an item that benefits St. Jude where I bought a build-a-bear. We watched the Carnival Valor Family & Mardi Gras giveaway with Matt the cruise director. That night in the Lincoln room I ordered fried shrimp, salad, ribs, green beans, potatoes with gravy, and a dessert. Watched a Dean Martin special on TV, then went to sleep. 

Friday's Sunrise 

Nov 20, Saturday, Travel Home 

 Packed the night before, making sure we had everything. We went to eat breakfast a couple of pastries, with two chocolate milk. Grabbed our bags and met the Silver & Platinum sailors in the Lincoln Dining room. Loaded into the elevators and walked to our car our level 4A. Began our journey home. Filled up with gas at Love's in Sandersville, MS $28.31 We ordered a sausage, and cheese muffin at McDonald's. For lunch, we stopped at Arby’s for a beef & cheddar sandwich with Curley fries and a Coke. We were at Wanda’s by 4:30pm but hubby had not gotten home from work so we sat around and talked until hubby picked me up.

Hampton Inn 56460 Frank Pichon Rd, Slidell, La

Carnival Valor Cruise Ship Stateroom   Deck   Muster Station 

🎂🎂🎂Father of the Blues "W.C. Handy" Museum 🏛

William Christoper Handy was born November 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama  

Come celebrate the birthday of W.C. Handy on November 16 at the Handy Home, Museum, and Library on 620 West College street in Florence. 

From 11:00AM to 1:00PM you can tour the museum and listen to music on the front lawn of the museum. 

It is free to the public with a birthday cake and other refreshments.

In 2009, my daughter, granddaughter, and I joined in the celebration and toured the Museum, Home, and Library. 

Happy Birthday Father of the Blues "the chocolate cake was  delicious"

Bust of Handy

Picture of Handy 

Library 

Handy and the St Louis Blues

Inside the Cabin

Handy's Piano

Kitchen of Cabin 

The W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum, and Library, in Florence, Lauderdale County, was established to celebrate the life of musician and composer William "W. C." Handy (1873-1958), known as the "Father of the Blues." Handy himself donated the seed money to set up the museum, which now includes several buildings and houses a large collection of memorabilia, personal items, and objects relating to Handy's musical career. 

Handy gave to the city the $29,000 he was paid for the land on which the cabin stood to be used for the future restoration of his childhood home as a museum. The cabin was carefully dismantled and the logs were numbered and stored for later reassembly. Handy also bequeathed a large number of his personal possessions to the city to be used in the cabin after a suitable new location was found.

A site was selected at 620 West College Street, in the southwest corner of town. Work began early in 1970 on reassembling the log cabin and on constructing a museum next to the cabin to properly house and display the artifacts and tell the story of Handy's life and career. The completed structure was filled with the artifacts that the Handy family sent to Florence from their home in New York, including the upright piano on which Handy composed the "St. Louis Blues," his brass trumpet, furniture, and numerous boxes of his letters, pictures, musical compositions, personal mementos, and datebooks.

Local citizens donated furnishings and other items that represented the period during which Handy lived there as a child. The W. C. Handy Museum opened to the public on June 7, 1970. 

A separate building was added in 1980 to house the Black Heritage Library, which was filled with books donated to or purchased for the museum under the direction of the Cabin Committee. 

In 2002, an addition was constructed that included a new area for the Black Heritage Library, office space, a kitchen, and a restroom as well as a community meeting room.

Article from the Encyclopedia of Alabama 

🚙2016 November 29, Tuesday, Day Trip to Historic Lebanon, Tennessee

We traveled north on I-65 to I-840 to I-40 turning onto Cumberland Highway toward Lebanon. 

Our first stop was at the Cedar Grove Cemetery located at 406 S Maple Street in Lebanon. 

The cemetery had over 8,000 graves in it buried, several important people. 

Robert Allen Congressman 1778-1844 

Wm Bowen Campbell CW Union Brigadier General 1807-1867

Robert Looney Caruthers US Congressman 1800-1882

Edward Isaac Golladay US Congressman 1830-1897

Robert Hopkins Hatton CSA Confederate Brigadier General 1826-1862

Haywood Yancey Riddle US Congressman 1834-1879

Standing tall in the front of the cemetery we found Confederal General Robert Hatton and his wife Sophie's tombstone. 

Inscribed on the front of the tombstone was Confederate General Robert Hatton born on Nov 2, 1826, died on May 31, 1862, inscription While leading his Tennessee Brigade in the Battle of Seven Pines, Richmond, Va. 

Inscribed on the side of the same tombstone was Sophie Reilly Hatton wife of General Robert Hatton served as State Librarian of Tennessee for eight years, and founder of Associated Charities, Nashville Missionary in Japan for fifteen years. 

Relentless in her devotion to Christ and to the need for humanities.

She was as true as noble and as great as was her gallant husband. 

Organized as 7th TN INF. Hatton was appointed Colonel in command and was assigned to fight in the Army of Northern Virginia with General Robert E. Lee. He was promoted Brigadier General on May 23, 1863, and eight days later died at the Battle of Seven Pines Richmond, VA. 

His men went on to fight in every major battle in the war and when General E. Lee surrounded Appomattox Court House, only 47, men from the 7th Infantry were left. In 1912, a statue of General Hatton was erected on the square in Lebanon, TN in his honor. 

Cedar Grove Cemetery A Final Resting Place

Near the Confederate Statue and Confederate graves, we saw:

Cedar Grove Cemetery A Final Resting Place

The city of Lebanon purchased the land for this beautiful cemetery in 1846. Beneath its trees lie more than 150 soldiers who served in the Confederate army during the Civil War, including many Wilson County men who enlisted in the 7th Tennessee Infantry. The focal point of Cedar Grove Cemetery is the Confederate Monument, which was erected on July 27, 1899. The eighteen-foot-tall memorial features a statue of an infantryman standing with his rifle at parade rest. A large crowd gathered to hear Tennessee governor Benton Macmillan and several other speakers pay tribute to the qualities, struggles, and triumphs of Col. John K. Howard, Col. Sam G. Shepard, and Cape. A.K. Miller, all of the 7th Tennessee Infantry, all are interred here. James L. Barry of (Smith's) 4th Tennessee Cavalry, Tennessee's last surviving Confederate veteran, is buried here, as is Robert L. Caruthers, Confederate governor of Tennessee and a founded of Cumberland University Martha "Mattie" Ready, the widow of  Gen. John Hunt Morgan and their daughter, Johnnie, are buried in the cemetery. Nine men of

Morgan's 2nd Kentucky Cavalry who was killed on May 5, 1863, during the Battle of Lebanon also is buried here. The names of the Confederate soldiers buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery are etched on the sides of this memorial; others will be added as they are discovered. 

" A whole community will assemble around the stricken widow of our general [Hatton], and the mothers of the noble boys who fell by his side will mingle their tears with hers." Lt. Colonel John K. Howard, 7th Tennessee Infantry (CSA)

The Mill
The Mill at Lebanon is an adaptive reuse project converting the former Lebanon Woolen Mills into a mixed-use facility encompassing offices, restaurants, retail, event spaces, and other creative spaces. The Lebanon Woolen Mills began operation in 1908 and ceased operations in 1998. It has since been renovated and preserved and welcomes you to visit our very special space

Lebanon Station

Lebanon Station
Lebanon Station is the origination point for the Music City Star's East Corridor Regional Rail line. It is located at 334 W. Baddour Parkway. Early morning train service begins here and makes stops at the other stations along the route before arriving at Riverfront Station in downtown Nashville. Lebanon Station is located on an old factory site, which is bordered by Baddour Parkway, Greenwood Street, and Hill Street. Approximately 140 parking spaces are provided with direct access off Baddour Parkway.

On January 4, 2016, Cumberland University changed the nickname of its athletic program from "Bulldogs" to "Phoenix", stating that, "For more than 150 years, the Phoenix has personified the spirit of Cumberland University.

Neddy Jacobs Cabin 
Before 1870, the land that is now the Historic Lebanon Town Square was claimed by William Rodney. It was part of 640 acres surrounding the gushing spring, and here he built a cabin. After his death, the land was sold in 1793, by his heirs to James Menees. In 1801 the Tennessee State Legislature appointed five commissioners to determine the site for a County seat for Wilson County. They chose this site around the spring and cabin. When Lebanon was founded and lots were sold on August 16, 1802, one family was living in a cabin near the spring around which the town was laid out. Edward Neddy Jacobs and his Lumbee Indian wife had moved into the cabin in 1800. Needy, an Irishman who had shipwrecked off the coast of North Carolina, was taken in by the Lumbee Indians. There he met his wife Lyula, before moving westward to Tennessee. Neddy later built a new cabin for his family, but after his death, Lyula left and moved west with a band of Cherokees who passed through Lebanon on the Trail of Tears. 

Wilson County Courthouse
The first courthouse stood on the west side of the public square. The second was located in the center of the square. In 1848 the third, designed by William Strickland, was erected on this site which was Lot No. 2 (SW) of the Lebanon town lot plan of 1802, this building was replaced by a fourth when a new courthouse was built elsewhere. 

Historic Lebanon 

Historic Lebanon 

Historic Lebanon 

Historic Lebanon 

 Confederate General Robert Hatton of the 7th TN Infantry standing in the middle of the town square

Lebanon Morgan's Defeat
In April 1862, after the Battle of Shiloh, Confederate Col. John Hunt Morgan planned a raid through Tennessee and Kentucky to sever Union supply lines. Morgan let the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry from Corinth, Mississippi, into Tennessee and engaged with several Federal detachments, attracting the attention of Union Gen. Ebenezer Dumont, who quickly assembled a mounted force to intercept them.

After missing their quarry near Shelbyville, Dumont’s advance under Col. Frank L. Wolford finally caught up with Morgan’s rearguard on May 4 but broke off the action after inconclusive skirmishing. Satisfied that the Federals had retreated, Morgan continued to Lebanon, where his men bivouacked around the town square and in the buildings of Cumberland University. Heavy rain fell all night, so the Confederate pickets went inside to dry off near the fire.

The Federals were only four miles away, however, and at dawn, the hard-charging troopers of the 1st Kentucky (U.S.) and 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry burst into town and surprised Morgan’s command.

Alone Confederate sentry, Pvt. Pleasant Whitlow rode just ahead of the attackers and gave only a brief warning before he was shot down. Unable to reach the livery stables and mount, many defenders took cover, and fierce house-to-house fighting began. The Federals finally drove the overwhelmed Confederates out of town. In the running fight, Morgan and a handful of his men escaped to Carthage on the Rome Turnpike. Amid the confusion, Morgan lost his favorite horse, Black Bess. While Federal casualties were low, about 50 of Morgan’s men were killed, 150 were captured, and the remainder scattered throughout the countryside.

Battle of Lebanon 
 Near dawn on May 5, 1862, Colonel John Hunt Morgan’s 800 Confederate Cavalry camped around the Public Square and at Cumberland University on South College Street, were attacked by General Ebenezer Dumont’s Federal Cavalry of 600 as they advanced from Murfreesboro in torrential rain. After an hour and a half of charges and countercharges, Morgan and most of his men withdrew on the Rome and Trousdale Ferry Pikes pursued by the Federals. Barricaded in Odd Fellows Hall on West Main Street, 60 to 70 of Morgan’s men fired upon the Federals. Later these Confederates surrendered when Dumont threatened to burn the town. During the attack, the Federal losses amounted to 10 killed, 21 wounded, and 5 missings. The Confederate losses amounted to 60 killed and an unknown number of wounded and missing.

Lebanon Post Office 
In July 1908 Lebanon's growth and prominence qualified the town for free citywide mail delivery. Congressman Cordell Hull secured funding of $50,000 for this federal post office building. The cornerstone was laid on October 30, 1913. Chief Supervising Architect Oscar Wenderoth designed the Beaux-Arts style building and contractor James Corse completed construction in 1915. Pink and gray East Tennessee Marble adorn the interior walls and floors. In 1999 the National Park Service placed the Lebanon Post Office in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure in the Lebanon Commercial Historic District. 

Capitol Theater

Restoration of Pickett Chapel 
a project of the Wilson County Black History Committee
Funding Sources:
this work is being funded in part by The National Park Service US Department of the Interior: The Tennessee Historical Commission, The Wilson County Government, the City of Lebanon, and Numerous other Friends and Supporters.
Architect Melvin Gill & Associates, Nashville, TN in association with Preservation Architect: Michale Emrick, RA, Nashville, TN, Structural Engineer: Stanley D. Lindsey & Assoc., LTD Brentwood, Tn

Pickett Chapel 

3A Robert Looney Caruthers 1800-1882 200
Born in Smith County in 1800, Caruthers was elected Confederate Governor in 1863. However, due to the Federal occupation of Tennessee, he was not inaugurated. A co-founder of Cumberland University, he served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1835 to 1837; the U.S. House of Representatives from 1841 to 1843; the State Supreme Court from 1852-1861; and the Confederate Congress from 1861 to 1863. Built by Caruthers in 1828 in the Greek Revival style, but later altered, this was his home until he died in 1882.

3A Caruthers Hall 104
Cumberland University School of Law, 1847-1962, was housed at this site from 1877 until 1962. For many years it was the largest law school in the United States. Graduates included U.S. Supreme Court Justices Horace Lurton and Howell E. Jackson: Secretary of State Cordell Hull; ten governors, ten United States Senators; and seventy-five United States Representatives.

3A Judge Nathan Green Sr 103
This house was built by Judge Green, the father of equity jurisprudence in the state, who sat for twenty-one years in the Tennessee State Supreme Court. In 1852 he became a professor of Law at Cumberland University. Before settling in Lebanon, he served in the War of 1812, was a senator in the General Assembly in 1826, and held the post of chancellor of East Tennessee in 1827. Judge Green died here in 1866.

3A Castle Heights Military Academy 52
Castle Heights School was founded in 1902 by David E. Mitchell and I.W.P.  Buchanan. The early headmaster
was Buchanan, L.L. Rice, and O.N. Smith In 1914 the school became a military academy. Acquired by the McFadden Foundation in 1928, it has been an ROTC unit and an honor military school ever since 

Castle Heights Military Academy

The Mitchell House and Sigma Pi Fraternity International were founded in 1897

HISTORY OF THE MITCHELL HOUSE

Built-in 1910 as the home of Dr. David Mitchell and his family, the Mitchell House has also served as a school and office building.  Once the Mitchell family left the home, it sat dormant for several years before being purchased by Castle Heights Military Academy and used as the junior school from 1936 to 1986.

In 1998, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. purchased the Mitchell Home and began restoration. Cracker Barrel founder Danny Evins was a graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy and later served as chairman of its board of directors while his son attended the school. Evins and others wanted to return the establishment to its grandeur of the early 1900s.

Through the restoration efforts of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., the Mitchell House is listed as a historic landmark on both the State of Tennessee registry and the National Register of Historic Places. 

In Lebanon, we saw the Mitchel House, Castle Heights Military Academy, Cedar Grove Cemetery A Final Resting Place, The Mill, the restoration of Picketts Church, Lebanon Station, Cumberland University, Neddy Jacobs Cabin,  Judge Nathan Green Sr marker,  Robert Looney Caruthers 1800-1882  marker, Capitol Theater, Lebanon Post Office, battle of Lebanon, Lebanon Morgan's Defeat,  Confederate General Robert Hatton of the 7th TN Infantry standing in the middle of the town square and numerous of sites of Lebanon.