COUNTIES

Along The Byway

Smith County

The Tennessee General Assembly chartered Smith County on October 26, 1799.

Visitor Center

Smith County Area Chamber of Commerce

939 Upper Ferry Rd.
Carthage, TN 37030
Phone: 615-735-2093

Travel Route Description

Starting at the westernmost Byway terminus in Carthage—where Walton himself lived and is now buried—the route makes a loop. Visitors choosing to travel south on Main Street in Carthage will cross the National Register Listed Cordell Hull Bridge on Old State Highway 25—leading them into South Carthage. Immediately after crossing the bridge, the Byway continues to the left onto TN 24/US 70N/Cookeville Hwy through South Carthage, intersecting with the South Carthage Rail Trail at S Main Street/Old State Highway 53 and continuing on US 70N to the Smith/Putnam County line. Alternatively, visitors in Carthage may choose to follow Upper Ferry Road from Main Street in Carthage, as this will take them to the Walton Cemetery and Walton

Smith County Heritage Museum in Carthage

Landing—a historic Walton Road trace where pioneers would take the ferry to cross the Cumberland River. From Upper Ferry Road, the Byway travels across the TN Route 25/Gordonsville Highway bridge offering views of the Cumberland River and the Caney Fork until it meets US 70N/TN 24/Cookeville Highway.

Historic Context

The Tennessee General Assembly chartered Smith County on October 26, 1799, taking land from Sumner County. The county takes its name from General Daniel Smith, a Revolutionary War veteran and land surveyor. Pioneers to Smith County were of Scots-Irish, English, and German heritage. Early settlers here included Revolutionary War veterans Tilman Dixon and William Walton. A contest for locating the county seat occurred in 1804, with the “polecats” supporting a site near Dixon Springs, while the “moccasin gang” supported a site on William Walton’s land. Ultimately, Walton’s favored site was chosen, making Carthage the seat of Smith County. The town became an important river port during the steamboat era.

The topography of Smith County varies from the relatively even surface of the central basin to the ascent of the Highland Rim to the north and east. Settlers found the soil was fertile, and early crops included tobacco, cotton, and bluegrass pasture for livestock. Smith County’s population in 1860 was 16,457, of who more than a quarter were slaves. Disruption from the Civil War and the taking of some Smith County land for the creation of Trousdale County did not deter the growth of Smith County’s population. By 1880, 17,893 people lived in the county.

By the late 1880s, Carthage had approximately 400 citizens. This number had declined from as high as 700 in 1830, as other towns were established along the river. The river was the primary means of transporting Smith County produce prior to the war.

Smith County Heritage Museum in Carthage

Port towns rivaled one another for business, and as steamboats declined, so did some of these towns. Carthage, however, was bolstered by the coming of the Nashville and Knoxville Railroad through the town at the end of the nineteenth century.

Smith County continued to rely on an agricultural economy into the twentieth century. Businesses included distilleries, mills, tanneries, and saltpeter mines, as well as crops. In the 1960s, the building of Cordell Hull Dam and the subsequent inundation of some Smith County river towns changed the landscape and resulted in the development of industrial plants. However, the county has largely retained its rural landscape, and its population has increased very little since the turn of the twentieth century. In 2010, the county population was 19,166, a number that includes 2,306 residents of Carthage.

Historic Sites

Battery Knob Earthworks

Battery Knob Earthworks

Carthage, Tennessee

This Civil War fort was erected in 1863 by the Union army to defend the Cumberland River crossing at Carthage. It is presently on private land and is not accessible to the public.

Carthage United Methodist Church

Carthage United Methodist Church

Carthage, Tennessee

The Carthage United Methodist Church is a Victorian Gothic church building on Main Street and was built in 1889. It continues to have an active and vibrant congregation.

Cullom Mansion

Cullum Mansion

Carthage, Tennessee

The Cullum Mansion is a two-story Greek Revival style dwelling built in 1848. It is sited on a prominent hill east of downtown and retains much of its original character.

Fite-Williams-Ligon House

Fite-Williams-Ligon House

Carthage, Tennessee

The original section of this brick dwelling dates to the early 1800s but it was remodeled into the Italianate style in 1878. Located north of downtown, the house has been well preserved.

Cordell Hull Bridge

Cordell Hull Bridge

Carthage, Tennessee

The Cordell Hull Bridge is a steel vehicular bridge over the Cumberland River. Erected in 1936, it was listed on the National Register for its engineering significance.

Smith County Courthouse

Smith County Courthouse

Carthage, Tennessee

The Smith County Courthouse is a Second Empire style courthouse building constructed in 1879. No longer used as the courthouse, the building is undergoing rehabilitation as a museum.

Visitor Sites & Attractions

Butterfly Hollow Bed and Breakfast Retreat

Butterfly Hollow Bed and Breakfast Retreat

Gordonsville, Tennessee

For visitors seeking an eco-friendly retreat, this bed and break fast has it all—solar powered energy, organic vegetables and herbs, and reclaimed antique lumber and stone. An 1899 farm house was the first piece of the B&B, nestled in a secluded 85 acre valley in the Cumberland Plateau foothills.
Peaceful Pastures

Peaceful Pastures

Hickman, Tennessee

Peaceful Pastures offers tours of their working farm with different activities to see every day. On a typical day visitors will see grazing cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs guarded by dogs that keep watch, as well as poultry in a natural pasture setting. Visitors can see examples of heritage breed sheep and their wool. A sample bar of homemade soap is provided as a souvenir.
Smith County Heritage Museum

Smith County Heritage Museum

Carthage, Tennessee

The mission of the Smith County Heritage Museum is to foster an appreciation for the rich history of Smith County, its land, people, and industry. Visitors to the museum will enjoy historical displays, memorabilia, and artifacts from Smith County. Past exhibits include a “Smith County Statesmen” flyer highlighting the 1938 “Big Rally and Homecoming” for Albert Gore, Candidate for Congress; and a “1930 Democratic Nominees” flyer featuring Judge Cordell Hull.
South Carthage Rail Trail

South Carthage Rail Trail

Carthage, Tennessee

Beginning at the Smith County Agricultural Center, the South Carthage Rail Trail travels north toward downtown Carthage along Old Highway 53. From there it continues on the former Carthage Branch of the 1888 Tennessee Central Railroad, passing through the scenic countryside. The trail is paved and is considered to have an easy grade. Parking is available at the trailheads.
Walton Cemetery/Grave Site

Walton Cemetery/Grave Site

Carthage, Tennessee

The grave site of William Walton and his wife, Sarah, is located just south of Myers Street (south of the Wal-Mart) on a grassy site encircled by mature trees. Interpretive markers are currently not present at this site. A wayside exhibit is planned.
Walton Hotel

Walton Hotel

Carthage, Tennessee

Since the early 1900’s this has been a favorite stop-over for travelers through Carthage, and remains to be a unique lodging experience for 21st century travelers, as well. The Hotel was built around 1904 and was recently restored. Guests can enjoy modern conveniences en-suite, as well as antique furniture and overlooks to Main Street Carthage. The in-house restaurant is also known for its southern hospitality. Southern comfort meals are served at the restaurant seven days a week, as well as “fancy” dishes.