This 1937 aerial of Murfreesboro shows a bustling, growing community at the end of the Depression prior to World War II. The public square was the center of commerce in the central business district. (Photo from Shacklett's Photography)
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Two hundred years ago, the Tennessee declared Rutherford County needed a new county seat and named it Cannonsburgh.
Within a month the name had changed to Murfreesboro, which will be celebrated in the coming year with a host of events organized for the city's Bicentennial Celebration.
"I'm excited and proud our city is getting ready to celebrate its upcoming 200th birthday," Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg said. "Murfreesboro's Bicentennial is an excellent time to reflect on the aspirations and accomplishments of previous generations.
"Our city enjoys an outstanding location, long-serving family traditions, friendly atmosphere and vibrant economy," he continued. "Murfreesboro has been an integral part of regional growth, commerce and educational opportunity."
The first opportunity to celebrate this year of reflection begins with a kick-off event that will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17 at the Civic Plaza on Vine Street.
The Murfreesboro Bicentennial Birthday Celebration will feature refreshments, special guests and the unveiling of the City of Murfreesboro's flag.
The month's next event will celebrate the original name of the town with Harvest Days at Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village on Front Street.
Admission is free to this family friendly event, which will feature hayrides, music, story telling and demonstrations of life in the pioneer days, as well as more than 40 local craft and food vendors.
While the Harvest Festival is one way to reflect on previous generations, another way is genealogical research at Family Tree Day, which will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at St. Clair Senior Center, 325 St. Clair St.
Participants will learn how to researching the family tree and receive a native tree sapling to plant for future generations.
The day's activities include learning about photo preservation, genealogy, caring for trees and recording memories for Murfreesboro's time capsule.
Murfreesboro's history stretches back two centuries, beginning with an act of the legislature.
At the time, the now defunct Jefferson, located in northern Rutherford County, was the county seat.
But the powers that be wanted a more central location of the governing body of the county to meet.
So in October 1811, the Legislature appointed Charles Ready, Hugh Robinson, Hans Hamilton, James Armstrong, Owen Edwards, Jesse Brashears and John Thompson commissioners to select a permanent seat of justice for the county.
Specifically, they were instructed to select a site with good water and a central location. Sixty acres of land were to be procured by purchase or donation.
When looking for a new county seat, the commissioners considered plots in each part of the county, all with one thing in common – a proximity to the Stones River.
Readyville is situated on the backs of the East Fork of the Stones River. Black Fox Spring is near the west fork. And Lytle's place, the spot eventually chosen and now site of Murfreesboro's Historic Courthouse and Square, is within throwing distance of Lytle Creek and Murfee Spring.
The commissioners visited each site where they were wined and dined. After the visits were over, they cast their votes with Robinson, Hamilton, Edwards and Thompson - four in favor of Lytle's offer. The remaining commissioners, Armstrong, Brashears and Ready cast three votes in favor of Rucker's place.
Angered by their defeat, those three commissioners refused to sign the subsequent deeds.
All of the original deeds bear the names of Hugh Robinson, Hans Hamilton, John Thompson and Owen Edwards.
One lot on the southeast corner of the Square was redeeded to Lytle in the new county seat.
The sale of lots was advertised in the Knoxville and Nashville Gazette to begin on June 12, 1812.
The lots sold at auction and were disposed of rapidly.
George Smith received lots 12 and 15 for $116.25. Other purchasers were Daniel Dickinson, William Lytle, Samuel Wilson, Henry Tratt, Robert Jetton, John M. Tilford, Wilson Kerr, Bennett Smith, James Henderson, Blackman Coleman, Fred Barfield, Hezekiah Cartwright, William Bowen, Hugh Montgomery and Abe Thompson.
Proceeds from the property sale were used to finance construction of a courthouse, stocks and a jail.
Murfreesboro has grown exponentially since these humble beginnings, which will be explored more in November. |
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