In last month’s edition of the Mr. Murfreesboro column, we looked at a historical cabin in Bradyville currently for sale. Here, we will continue exploring my slogan, “Relics, Relationships and Real Estate,” with a look at some more historical properties I’ve had the opportunity to sell in my career as a realtor in the area.
Middle Tennessee has a rich history and unique stories of the folks who have lived here over the years.
In 2018, I helped buyers purchase property at 453 E. Main St. in Murfreesboro. There is something special about living on Main Street, especially when it’s parade time.
This property contains a home built around 1913 by B.B. Kerr, now known as the Kerr-Williams-Studenberg home [pictured at top]. Kerr was a local businessman who had a drug store on the Square, which he was known to walk to and from. Kerr Drug Store sat close to where Liquid Smoke is today.
Kerr Drugstore was located on the Murfreesboro Public Square
where Humidor is currently located
His home had very modern amenities for its time. It still has the original hot water heater in the attic with the old-time wooden stairs leading up into the full attic. It’s a beautiful home that has a covered front porch and a side porch.
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Let’s move on out to the Milton area. With all of its hills and greenery, Milton and the part of Rutherford County that contains it is a sight to behold. Most of us have probably headed to Center Hill Lake at some point, passing Milton on the way. If there wasn’t a sign recognizing Milton, we might pass it without knowing it was there.
I had the opportunity to sell a couple of pieces of history a few years ago. One was the old doctors office, located on the left soon after turning off Highway 96 onto Milton Street.
On the front porch of the Milton Doctors office in the 1940s.
The little brick building, which looks like a house, was the medical building for Milton back in the day.
Walking towards the doctor’s office from the Milton bank
The other property I sold was the old Milton bank, attached to another building, which has stood the test of time for over 100 years. We can imagine long ago, walking from the bank after making a deposit and then going over to see the doctor. I love Milton and the people who live out that way.
Today the old bank is known as The Vault and it’s a great place to have a party for any occasion.
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Leaving Milton and heading back towards Murfreesboro via the Halls Hill Pike, we notice all the farmland and maybe the smell of honeysuckle. About nine miles outside of Murfreesboro sits an old white church that looks like it needs some TLC.
This is the old Stones River Presbyterian Church, built sometime between 1878 and 1900 and serving its congregation from the Halls Hill, Readyville, Porterfield and Milton areas, or anyone else who wanted to take the trek there.
There is an old sinkhole on the property that has a spring, and it supposedly has fish in it. I can imagine back in the day, the preacher leading the congregation to the spring for folks to get immersed.
Wow, if the walls could talk a bit, we could hear stories of weddings and funerals (which, to some people, are quite similar, ha ha!).
A young couple has saved this property and plans to make it their home with some TLC. I’m sure it will have more fond memories to add to the approximately 145 years it’s been standing.
