BEDFORD COUNTY
Bell Buckle • Shelbyville • Wartrace • Neighbors
Bedford County, created in 1807 from Rutherford County and Indian lands was named in honor of Thomas Bedford, a Revolutionary War officer, middle Tennessee land owner of Jefferson Springs in Rutherford County who contributed to the development of that area.
Fun Things to See and Do...
Bell Buckle Arts Council
120 Bridge Street West
Wartrace, 37183
931-703-6087
Arts organization for Bell Buckle artists and the community. Special events held throughout the year. Second Saturday Workshop Series held at the Bell Buckle Mosaic House. For more information email bellbucklearts@gmail.com or see
Facebook.com/bellbucklearts.
Dining...
Bell Buckle Banquet Hall
27 Railroad Square
Bell Buckle, 37020
931-389-0223
www.bellbucklebanquethall.com
Located in historic downtown Bell Buckle, the Bell Buckle Banquet Hall is a multi-use facility with a dance floor and stage that can be uniquely decorated for any event. With a seating capacity of up to 300 people, the Banquet Hall offers full in-house catering services and can work with a budget to fit your needs.
A perfect place for weddings, receptions, dances, reunions, and other fun events. Special dinner buffets are held on most holidays.
Bell Buckle Café
16 Railroad Square E
Bell Buckle, 37020
931-389-9693
www.bellbucklecafe.com
Prize-winning, hickory-smoked barbeque, fresh hand-squeezed lemonade, down-home cooking specials seven days a week. Home of the famous Moon Pie sundae. Carry-out and catering available. Monday and Tuesday - Closed, Wednesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Great food in a down home setting!
Fun Things to See and Do...
American Mule and Bluegrass Festival
2591 Hwy 231 South
Shelbyville, 37160
931-703-7975
www.maconmusicandmules.com
The American Mule and Bluegrass Festival’s mission is to showcase the mule in a family, fun, musical festival that supports charities and offers spiritual assistance to anyone that is in need. This event takes place on the Celebration Grounds and Cooper Steel Arena. A fun event and great music to be enjoyed by all and for a great cause!
Bedford County Arts Council
Fly Arts Center
204 S Main St
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-8359
www.flyartscenter.com
A registered, non-profit, volunteer organization devoted to preserving and promoting the arts and cultural diversity within the community. Live theatre plays are held throughout the year. Various art classes are scheduled monthly. Don’t miss a visit to the arts and crafts gift shop showcasing the work of area artisans.
Bedford County Fair
2119 Midland Rd (Off Hwy 231)
Shelbyville, 37160
931-607-3786
www.bedfordcountytnfair.org
A non-profit organization that supports the agriculture areas throughout the county. This annual fair features animal shows, exhibitions, entertainment, antique tractors and much more. This event is held annually during the third week of July.
Cooper Steel Arena
1110 Evans St
P O Box 1010 (Mailing Address)
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-5915
www.twhnc.com
Cooper Steel Arena is an indoor facility that can seat up to 7,000 people for concerts. In this arena events are held such as monster truck shows, circuses, country music concerts, dog shows, car shows, motocross events, rodeos, etc., in addition to horseshows which are held regularly. The building was designed with the equine events as the number one priority, but we are delighted to host an event of almost any type. Cooper Steel Arena is booked approximately 40 out of the 52 weekends each year. Plenty of parking is available as well as easy access to the arena.
Jon English Antique Sports & Cards
204 E Depot St
Shelbyville, 37160
931-492-4304
www.vintagesportsantiques.com
Specializing in antique and historical sports equipment, games, advertising, and other sports-related items. This location features collectibles you know and love as well as vintage sports cards, including unopened wax boxes, paper ephemera like programs and tickets, plus a lot more. Inventory is always being updated. Shipping services available. Open Tuesdays-Fridays from Noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association (SSHBEA)
2519 Hwy 231 North
P. O. Box 1046 (Mailing Address)
Shelbyville, 37162
931-684-7496
http://www.sshbea.org
The SSHBEA, headquartered in Shelbyville, TN is a non-profit, member-owned corporation formed in 1985 to preserve the pedigree of the Spotted Saddle Horse. A primary function of SSHBEA is to promote the breed by maintaining a breed registry and facilitating the public exhibition of the Spotted Saddle Horse. SSHBEA affiliates horse shows, licenses judges, and establishes official rules for registration and competition. Competition for Spotted Saddle Horse owners of any age range from stylish trail pleasure and performance classes to traditional team penning and barrel racing.
Tennessee Walking Horse
National Celebration
1110 Evans St
P O Box 1010 (Mailing Address)
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-5915
www.twhnc.com
The historic Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville, TN is home to The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, which takes place each year in late summer for the 11 days ending on the Saturday night before Labor Day. It is a thrill to watch the more than 2,000 horses compete during the 11-day-and-night Celebration with the World Grand Champion emerging on the last Saturday night before Labor Day. The show has grown into its own 100-plus-acre equestrian complex; a complex frequented by many breeds and includes a 30,000-seat outdoor stadium, a 4,500-seat indoor arena, a covered outdoor practice arena, permanent stalls for more than 1,700 horses, and campgrounds featuring full hook-ups for more than 270 recreational vehicles.
The Shops at Main and McGrew
100 South Main St
Shelbyville, 37160
931-536-1626
www.mainandmcgrew.com
Located in the historic post office building, Main & McGrew offers real antiques and primitives, collectibles, pop culture items, local artisan works, a large collection of records and books, and so much more! Also, inside, you will find Alex’s Rock Shop - an incredible selection of crystals, fossils, rocks, geodes, artifacts, and other related items. Visit us today! Now serving $1.00 ice cream.
Services
Bedford County Government
1 Public Square North, Suite 101
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-7944
www.bedfordcountytn.org
City of Shelbyville
201 N Spring St
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-2691
www.shelbyvilletn.org
Duck River Electric Membership Cooperative (DREMC)
1411 Madison St
P O Box 89 (Mailing Address)
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-4621
www.dremc.com
First Community Bank
of Tennessee
207 Elm St
Shelbyville, 37160
931-684-5800
www.firstcommunitybanker.com
Shelbyville, Lynchburg, and Murfreesboro. #ThatsMyBank. Since 1988.
Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership
100 Public Square W, Suite 210
Shelbyville, 37160
931-735-6925
www.shelbyville-bedford.com
On the National Register of Historic Places, downtown Wartrace and the surrounding residential areas showcase buildings and homes with significant period architecture. The town has several festivals throughout the year and hosts the annual Wartrace MusicFest. The town is rich with Civil War history.
Fun Things to See and Do
Big Creek Winery Tasting Room
101 Main Street East
P O Box 125 (mailing address)
Wartrace, 37183
FB@bigcreekwinerytastingroom
Wine tastings “locally grown” made from whole fruit. Local products in gift shop. Special events held throughout the year.
Historic Chockley Tavern
111 Spring St
Wartrace, 37183
931-389-0545
Historic Chockley Tavern, ca. 1852, is located in the Wartrace Square National Register Railroad District. This historic inn is on the Tullahoma Campaign self-driving tour. Located across the street in the railroad park is a Campaign Civil War kiosk, information on Gen. Patrick Cleburne, Hardee Corps Army of TN Memorial and L&N Caboose #1662. Travel brochures and information are on the front veranda. Enjoy a train going by. Step-on guide services can be arranged.
Tennessee Walking Horse
National Museum
27 Main St E
P. O. Box 572 (mailing address)
Wartrace, 37183
931-703-9797
www.tennesseewalkinghorsenationalmuseum.org
This museum serves as the permanent home in documenting the rich history of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Wartrace, Tennessee is known as “The Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse.” The museum showcases artifacts, documents and photographs which demonstrate the relevance of the breed. This museum allows the public an up close and personal view of these treasures. Call in advance for open times. Group tours are welcome with advanced reservations.
Tennessee Walking Horse Trail
615-613-5627
www.tennesseebackroads.org
In 1935, seven local horse trainers and breeders gathered to create the first walking horse association. The first year 208 horses were registered. This trail weaves through Southern Middle TN featuring the burial place of “Strolling Jim” - the first World Grand Champion of The Celebration (buried on the grounds of the former Walking Horse Hotel - Wartrace), The Celebration Grounds (Shelbyville), the Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (Lewisburg), and various walking horse farms. Trail events are held throughout the year.
Murfreesboro
(Near Shelbyville)
Stones River Car Club (Club House)
312 South Front St
Murfreesboro, 37129
615-691-1835
www.stonesrivercarclub.com
This car club represents the Stones River Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. The club’s mission is to preserve, restore, and maintain antique automobiles. Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at the club house on the grounds of Cannonsburgh Village. Folks who have a love for cars are welcomed. Check out the website for monthly events as well as the student program that is offered.
Christiana
(Near Shelbyville)
Miller’s Grocery - A Country Café
7011 Main St
Christiana, 37037
615-893-1878
www.millersgrocery.com
Known for outstanding food featuring chicken, catfish, bbq ribs and outstanding vegetables and salads. Featuring down-home cooking and fabulous desserts in an atmospheric old country store. Live music on weekends. Open for lunch and dinner. Closed on Monday. Check website for specific times.
Smyrna
Historic Sam Davis Home & Museum
1399 Sam Davis Rd
Smyrna, 37167
615-459-2341
samdavishome.org
The Sam Davis Home keeps alive the story of Sam Davis, his family, and the people who labored on this Middle Tennessee farm before, during, and after the Civil War. Through museum exhibits, the historic home, preserved farmland and quality education programs, the Sam Davis Home and Museum imparts to its visitors the importance of learning about their past and its relevance to their present.
Nashville
(Nashville and Surrounding Area)
Portraits by Darlene Shadden
Nashville, TN 37221
615-364-1825
This portrait artist has received
various local and national awards.
Available for commission work, special events and private parties. She has the skill and talent to paint pastels, oils, acrylics, charcoals and is available for conducting workshops for aspiring artists. Call for an appointment or email darlingdiva24@gmail.com to learn more about her services. An extraordinary artist!
Dickson
Clement Railroad Hotel Museum
100 Frank Clement Place
Dickson, 37055
615-446-0500
www.clementrailroadmuseum.org
The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum, located within the walls of the old Hotel Halbrook in downtown Dickson, was constructed in 1913. It operated as a railroad hotel from 1914 - 1954. Today, this site offers both guided and self-guided tours, highlighting the history of Dickson County, the Middle TN iron industry,
slavery and the Civil War, commerce and agriculture, and the life and legacy of Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement. The Museum serves as a beacon of education to the local community and travelers through tours and events/programming. Offering several venue rental options for groups of varying size. Closed on Sunday, Monday, and major holidays. There is an admission charge to tour the building. While visiting check out the museum’s giftshop and changing exhibition space!
Camden
(Heading West Toward Memphis)
Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm and Jewelry Showroom (Located at Birdsong Resort & Marina)
255 Marina Rd @ Exit 133 off I-40
Camden, (West) TN 38320
731-584-7880 - bob@birdsong.com
www.tennesseeriverpearls.com
www.birdsongresort.com
Witness a remarkable iridescent product of nature as it emerges from the indigenous Washboard mussel. Tennessee’s Official State Gem - the freshwater pearl - is rarely found naturally from these living animals, but grown at the only freshwater pearl-culturing farm operation in the North American continent. The organic gem stone-culturing operation is nestled in the pristine embayment of Birdsong Creek - just off the scenic Tennessee River’s beautiful Kentucky Lake - in Camden, West Tennessee, 9 miles north of Interstate 40 at Exit 133/Birdsong Exit. Tour packages available. For more information, email bob@birdsong.com.
