TMP Reports
Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:02 am

Ida Dunnaway Read's sister stands in front of the Miller-Overall House, also known as the Carriage Lane Inn in the late 1940's. Photo submitted.

The Carriage Lane Inn and Reception Hall will receive a recognizable green historical marker from the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities on Saturday, July 18.

The inn, owned and operated by Sharon Petty, is one of four homes she has restored in the historic section of downtown Murfreesboro. Petty has also restored homes at 409, 411 and 413 N. Maney Ave. that are available for bed and breakfast guests and short stays.

Her latest project has led to Vine Street where she has invested in the revitalizing of an old commercial business operating as The Vine.

But the Carriage Lane Inn, 337 East Burton St., was Petty’s best foray into historic preservation and was selected by the APTA because of its significance to the history of Murfreesboro. Also known as the Miller-Overall House, the inn was built in 1885 by Ira D. Miller and is located on land sold by the Maney family after the Civil War.

The land was made into Maney Avenue from the previous lane to the plantation and houses, such as Big Holly, were included in the division known as The Maney Additions. Miller sold the home to John M. Overall in 1892 and his family lived there until 1918. Overall (1854-1925) owned and operated a grocery business on the west side of the Square during the 1880s. He also served as mayor of Murfreesboro from 1884-1885 and city alderman from 1901-1902.

Following the unveiling of the Carriage Lane Inn marker at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, a short business meeting for the APTA will be held, and a luncheon will be served at the inn. Guests are welcome. The luncheon is $10 per person and reservations should be received no later than Wednesday, July 15.

Please make checks payable to APTA and mail to Sarah Bell at 718 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Memberships may be renewed at the annual meeting, for questions contact Bell at 896-4839 or bellbigholly@aol.com. Annual dues are $20.

The Rutherford County Chapter of APTA was chartered on April 2, 1952 with the intent to “identify and recognize the many historic homes and churches within the city and county, by placing markers stating their historic importance, thus creating an awareness of and promote an appreciation for, their preservation.”

Since 1952, more than 150 markers have been placed at various places throughout the county. Criteria for marking includes the significance to county history, integrity of location, design, architecture and culture, and that are at least 75 years of age. The Rutherford County Chapter of the APTA also has marked the Hollowell Huddleston Home at 343 E. College St. within the past year, as well as the Sam Davis Home and Museum in Smyrna and the Cohen Jones Home. The organization plans on marking the Byrn-Roberts House (formerly an inn), Lennox House and Murfreesboro’s First Presbyterian Church on North Spring Street this year.

To join the APTA, or to nominate a property for recognition, or to receive information on upcoming markings, interested persons should contact Jane Blakey at 615-907-3364 or e-mail hastingshousetn@bellsouth.net. More Info … www.theapta.org