Category Archives: -Tennessee

Santa Train-Kingsport, Tennessee

Growing up, I heard the stories of my grandfather, Emary “Jitney” Blankenbecler, and others from Kingsport riding a train throughout the Appalachian Mountains handing out gifts and candies. He missed the first year of train because he was in World War II. He did this until 1995. He passed in 1998 at the age of 91.

The tradition of the Santa Train continues today.

For more information:

Appalachian History

Photo credit: The Kingsport Archives

Bodenham Colored School-Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Giles County

Built in 1937 by the Black community, this school was in use until 1963 when it consolidated with another Pulaski County school. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Bodenham Mill-Giles County, Tennessee

Built in 1930, this mill sits outside of Pulaski, Tennessee, over Choate Creek. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Boonshill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Tennessee

Petersburg, Lincoln County

Founded as the New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church prior to 1850, the church changes it’s name to Boonshill in 1949. It’s located on top of a mountain in a picturesque area of Tennessee.

Rose Hill Cemetery-Fayetteville, Tennessee

Located in Lincoln County, Tennessee, the Rose Hill Cemetery began in the 1820s. It is still an active cemetery.

George Goodrich (1846-1902) and Sallie Goodrich (1840-1899)
Lucy Cooper (1848-1890)
Katherine Wright (1900-1906)
One of the monuments on the Hobbs family plot
Center angel on the Hobbs family plot

Lincoln School-Pikeville, Tennessee

Built in 1925, the Lincoln School is one of the few remaining Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee. The school educated children in K through 8th grade until 1965.

It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.