Historic Wynnewood

This handsome log inn was erected in 1828 by A.R. Wynne, William Cage, and Stephen Roberts on land owned by Wynne’s wife, Almira Winchester Wynne, to serve as a stagecoach inn and mineral springs resort. A log cabin attached to the rear of the inn was erected by Isaac Bledsoe during the period of 1772-1780 when he came to this area as a longhunter.

In 1834, Wynne purchased the interest of his two partners. He and his family moved into the inn and resided there until his death in 1893. Ownership of Wynnewood remained in the family until 1971 when George Winchester Wynne, grandson of the builder, conveyed it to the State of Tennessee for preservation as a historic site.

A.R. Wynne received guests at Wynnewood throughout his lifetime. By the 1840s he had built a row of cottages on the lawn east of the inn and set up a race course in the bottom near Lick Creek. Most guests were attracted by the medicinal qualities of the mineral waters but one frequent visitor, Andrew Jackson, was attracted by the race course and he usually brought a favorite thoroughbred to run against one of Wynne’s horses.

During the Civil War Wynnewood was not molested although both Union and Confederate armies passed by its front doors as they hastened along the road between engagements at Hartsville and Gallatin. During the years of Union army occupation, there was a fortified camp complete with earthworks located on Wynne’s place about one half mile southwest of the inn.