Higdon Hotel was built in 1878 by Harriet Dodson. By 1883, the place was purchased by the Higdon family. The Higdons expanded it to host the railroad bosses who were overseeing the building of the railroad through Reliance.
Once the railroad was done, it became a resort hotel for people vacationing in the area. When the railroad no longer was the main method of transportation, the hotel went out of business.
In the 1970s, the hotel was purchased by seven friends who worked to stabilize the building with the hopes of reopening it again. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to complete the work.
1914 image of the hotelNotice the gingerbread detailsApril 27, 1929 ad in the Knoxville Sunday Journal
The town of Reliance became a rail town when the Louisville and Nashville Railroad purchased the right of way in 1888. In 1891, the railroad watchmen’s house was built. Originally, the house was a simple two-story house. The one-story addition was added at a later time.
The first watchman was named Mr. Pickle, according to the National Register application. Unfortunately, I can’t determine who that was. There are Pickels and Pickelsimers who live in the greater area, but there are zero listed for the 1900 census.
Overlooking Highway 30 in Reliance, Tennessee is the oldest structure in the historic district. Built in 1888, this folk Victorian sits in an enviable position of being surrounded by the mountains while being able to see the Hiwassee River. The Vaughn and Webb families were integral to the small town. They ran the local convenience store and post office. (Sadly, I was unable to get a photo of the store. It was surrounded by dozens of motorcyclists and dozens of cars. I avoid these in my photos.)
The information I can find online about this house does not mention that the Victorian ornamentation was added later. It appears this house started as an I-House (plantation plain) with a later addition of the two-level porch and the detailing.
The Hiwassee Union Missionary Baptist Church evolved over the years to now serve as the Hiwassee Meeting Hall. Built in 1899 along the banks of the Hiwassee River, the church served the community as a church at first and then as a fraternal lodge and schoolhouse. The porch was enclosed to add more space to the facility. Notice the seams along the sides. Today, the building can be rented for events.
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