FRANKLIN COUNTY
Belvidere • Cowan • Estill Springs • Winchester
Rutherford County and Indian lands was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), American printer, diplomat, author, philosopher, scientist, statesman and member of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.
Fun Things to See and Do
Falls Mill
134 Falls Mill Rd
Belvidere, 37306
931-469-7161
fallsmill.com
Nestled in a lush green cove along the banks of beautiful Factory Creek stands historic Falls Mill. Built in 1873 as a cotton and woolen factory, the mill was later converted for use as a cotton gin, then as a wood working shop and grist mill. Today the mill houses the Museum of Power and Industry, Inc. and the 32-foot waterwheel still powers machinery on four levels of the building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mill is open to the public for tours Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., April-November. Visit the country store where various products can be purchased. Mail order services available. Overnight lodging in a log cabin bed and breakfast is available on the property.
Swiss Pantry
10026 David Crockett Pkwy W
Belvidere, 37306
931-962-0567
www.swiss-pantry.com
Swiss Pantry is a unique country bulk food store and bakery serving its customers for over 30 years specializing in homemade baked goods. It has a reputation for the best fruitcakes during the holidays and specialty gift baskets throughout the year with a wide variety of items to choose from. Grass fed beef, all-natural pork, and a variety of deli meats and cheese available. SAVE THE DATE for the 1st Saturday in June for their Swiss Pantry Vendor Day and the 1st Saturday in October for the Annual Open House & Customer Appreciation Day. A family, fun-filled event you don’t want to miss.
Overnight Accommodations
Falls Mill
134 Falls Mill Rd
Belvidere, 37306
931-469-7161
fallsmill.com
Guests who would like to stay overnight may call to reserve this cozy 1895 log cabin, fully furnished with all the comforts of home. The first floor has a queen size sleeper sofa, wood burning fireplace, and satellite TV with DVD player and Wi-Fi. The decor features pine floors, glider rockers and handmade quilts on the beds. Smoking and pets are not permitted in the cabin. The second-floor loft has a queen bed, a single bed, and the bathroom has a small shower. Firewood is provided in the cooler months. The cabin has electric heat and is air-conditioned for your comfort. Renters must be at least 21 years old. Advanced reservations are required. Staying on the Falls Mills property offers a special lodging experience where guests will enjoy relaxing surroundings.
Fun Things to See and Do
Cowan Center for the Arts
301 Montgomery St
Cowan, 37318
931-967-1560
www.cowancenterforthearts.org
Cowan Center for the Arts is a beautifully restored event venue perfect for family reunions, civic meetings, weddings and receptions, bridal and baby showers or concerts, plays or dinner theater shows.
Cowan Railroad Museum
108 Front St
P O Box 53 (Mailing Address)
Cowan, 37318
931-967-3078
www.cowanrailroadmuseum.org
Cowan Railroad Museum proudly represents the history of railroading and the related industries in Tennessee’s South Cumberland region. Housed in the old Cowan Depot, the museum features a diverse collection of railroad photos, tools, and relics that take you back to the age of steam and steel. Kids and adults alike will enjoy one of the state’s largest and oldest H.O. model railroad layouts. The museum tour guides have stories to tell, and the gift shop can help you take home memories of this small-town experience. The Museum is located in Cowan’s historic depot district in the foothills of the South Cumberlands. We are open May through October: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 to 4, and Sunday 1 to 4. Admission is $2/person or $5/family. For more information log onto the www.cowanrailroadmuseum.org.
Cowan Texaco
101 Cumberland St East
Cowan, 37318
931-967-1560
www.facebook.com/cowantexaco
The Cowan Texaco serves as one of the coolest Texaco stations that has survived the wrecking ball. Although it doesn’t operate for its initial use any longer, the Texaco in Cowan remains a vintage treasure that is a must-visit for car enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The Texaco was fully operable at its inception in the early 20th century, but nowadays the space is used for photo opportunities and visits to the tidy little museum. The building was built in 1936, but the station saw its greatest traffic in the 1950s. The building was fully renovated in 2006. The museum is open by appointment only.
Overnight Accommodations
The Franklin House
108 Cumberland Street East
Cowan, 37318
931-313-5930
www.franklinhousecowan.com
The Franklin House serves as a boutique hotel located in downtown Cowan and is only steps away from restaurants, specialty shops, and the Cowan Railroad Museum.
The Franklin House features 8 rooms with private baths and one apartment. It was formerly a historic railroad hotel. The hotel’s décor displays fabulous art throughout the hotel and painted by the owner who is an extraordinary artist. All art is for sale. Enjoy live music on the weekends in the adjoining Firefly Gallery. Short-term and long-term accommodations are now available through Airbnb, VRBO as well as calling the hotel directly or emailing franklinhousecowan@gmail.com.
Area attractions include world famous points of interest – the Jack Daniel Distillery, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Rock City, Ruby Falls, and Lookout Mountain – all less than an hour’s drive. This region offers fishing, hiking, music, sightseeing, special events, and other great opportunities for fun and recreation.
Whether you’re planning a visit to Sewanee or looking for a smalltown getaway, the Franklin House is a great place to stay!
Services
Cowan Commercial Club/
VisitCowan.com
P O Box 585
Cowan, 37318
931-308-8954
www.visitcowan.com
Cowan Commercial Club, founded in 1922, is one of the area’s oldest civic organizations. The residents and businesses who partner through this organization invite you to visit Cowan, Tennessee – a town built by the steam and steel of the early industrial revolution. Cowan stands today as a busy little town in the foothills of the majestic Cumberland’s. Cowan’s historic downtown depot district features restaurants, specialty shops, a boutique hotel, a restored old-time gas station, events center, railroad park and railroad museum. Cowan is also a gateway to Sewanee and the world-renowned University of the South as well as the attractions of the South
Cumberland’s to the east and Tims Ford Lake to the west. Log on to www.visitcowan.com for more information.
Fun Things to See and Do
Montana Drive In
10251 Tullahoma Hwy
Estill Springs, 37330
931-649-3454
www.montanadrivein.com
The Montana Drive In opened in 2004 with the purpose of offering a new kind of nostalgic entertainment for the family - outdoor movies with expanded concessions. Recent renovations include an outside seasonal ice cream shop and outside restrooms. You will enjoy watching a movie under the stars at the three-screen drive in in Estill Springs. Check out Montana Drive In on Facebook for hours and movie showtimes.
Fun Things to See and Do
Kiwanis Club of Franklin County
P O Box 461
Winchester, 37398
931-607-7879
www.franklincountykiwanis.com
www.highonthehogfestival.com
This organization serves as the host to the “High on the Hog” BBQ Festival which is a KCBS and the Steak Cookoff (SCA) sanctioned competition held the 2nd and 3rd full weekends in May. These are activities in the area that you will not want to miss! A fun time at every event.
Old Jail Museum
400 Dinah Shore Blvd
Winchester, 37398
931-967-0524
Located approximately 2 blocks from the Winchester Town Square. One of Winchester’s oldest buildings that dates back to 1897. This facility functioned as a working jail for 75 years housing prisoners as well as serving as the home of elected sheriffs and their families. The museum is open mid-April to mid-October, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call for group tours.
Oldham Theatre
115 1st Ave NE
Winchester, 37398
931-967-2516
www.oldhamtheatre.com
The smell of fresh popcorn will draw you into this historic theatre with two screens. Renovations have preserved the venue’s vintage look. See a first run movie in the grandeur of the 1950s.
Tims Ford State Park
570 Tims Ford Dr
Winchester, 37398
931-968-3536
www.tnstateparks.com/parks/tims-ford
An outstanding recreational and fishing paradise, the 3,546-acre Tims Ford State Park is one of the most picturesque in Tennessee and is regarded as one of the top bass fishing destinations in the Southeast. The park includes paved hiking and biking trails and a marina with pontoon boat rentals, a boat launch, and courtesy dock. The park offers campsites for RV, tent, paddle-in, and backcountry campers. Additionally, 20 beautiful cabins are available on the wooded slopes of Tims Ford Lake. The park features a challenging 18-hole Jack Nicklaus designed Bear Trace signature golf course.
Overnight Accommodations
Tims Ford State Park
570 Tims Ford Dr.
Winchester, 37398
931-968-3536
https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/tims-ford
Overlooking Tims Ford Lake, 20 cabins are available for overnight lodging. The park also offers campsites for TV, tent, paddle-in, and backcountry campers.
Services
Century 21 Prestige, Winchester
1810 Sharp Springs Rd
Winchester, 37398
931-967-4321
www.century21.com
In Franklin, Coffee, Grundy, Marion, and Moore Counties in Tennessee, we specialize in lakefront and lake view homes, new construction, large land tracts and lots. We invite you to check out the available inventory on our extensive website at
www.century21prestige.com. No matter what your Real Estate needs are, we are here to help. We have offices located in Monteagle and Winchester. For more information contact Pam Peck at
pampeckc21@gmail.com.
City of Winchester
7 South High St
Winchester, 37398
931-967-2532
www.winchester-tn.com
Winchester Downtown Program Corporation
135 1st Ave NW
Winchester, 37398
931-962-3393
www.winchesterdowntown.com
The Winchester Downtown Program Corporation is a non-profit corporation whose sole purpose is the recruitment and retention of an optimal mix of small businesses in the Winchester downtown district, to support the City of Winchester, the surrounding municipalities and Franklin County as a whole. The corporation’s focus is on business recruitment, events and promotion, downtown design, maintenance, and current business development. Downtown Winchester is a Main Street community!
