The original “Mr. Murfreesboro” Tommy Martin at the future site of State Farm Insurance Broad St. in Murfreesboro, 1954 / Photo courtesy of Ferrell's Studio

by Bill Wilson, with Meredith Thomas

Did you know . . .? The original “Mr. Murfreesboro” was a kind-hearted and benevolent local insurance agent by the name of Mr. Tommy Martin. Tommy earned the Mr. Murfreesboro moniker by being a great ambassador for our fair city and helping to usher in a sustained period of prosperity and growth during the 1950s and ’60s.

He was a dear friend of my grandfather, Bill Wilson, who served as county sheriff and road superintendent during this time. It was the efforts of these men and other local business leaders that helped bring a number of corporate industry and manufacturing jobs to Murfreesboro with the expansion of State Farm, General Electric and Chromolox, with Nissan soon to follow.

Murfreesboro Mafia, an informal, self-financed group of local businessmen who helped bring new jobs to Murfreesboro in the 1950’s. Tommy Martin pictured 3rd from right.

Mr. Martin was known for his generosity and goodwill, and he always went out of his way to send folks handwritten notes of encouragement or support. His most frequent parting words were always “Jesus loves you and so do I.”

It was in the vein of this remarkable man and his enduring legacy that the new iteration of “Mr. Murfreesboro” was born. It began as a personal love letter to my hometown and a way to share its rich history with so many—both young and old, near or far. As a lifelong resident of Murfreesboro, my family history consists of five generations who have lived, worked with and served the great people of this community. With the continued growth of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, I want to be able to share—with newcomers and lifelong locals alike—the history of this area and all of the people, places and things that make it so unique.

I am grateful for the Martin family for giving their blessing and allowing me to carry on the “Mr. Murfreesboro” name. I hope that through the coming pages, photographs and shared stories, that I am able to preserve my own family’s history of service and honor Tommy Martin’s legacy as an ambassador of goodwill for the city of Murfreesboro and all her people.

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Tune into WGNS at 100.5 FM or 1450 AM each Sunday at 9 p.m. for The Mr. Murfreesboro Show or find the podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Call Mr. Murfreesboro, a.k.a. Bill Wilson, for all of your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872.