Historic Falcon Rest…45-minutes away in McMinnville

February 15, 2010

Historians report that in the late 1800’s, there were only two homes in the southeast with a form of air conditioning, running water and restroom facilities inside, electricity and telephone. One was the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina and the other was Falcon Rest in nearby McMinnville.

In 1896, Tennessee entrepreneur Clay Faulkner promised his wife Mary that he would build her “this state’s grandest mansion next to his rural woolen mills, if she would move there”. He kept his promise, and the Faulkner’s raised their family in the 10,000 square foot home. Faulkner’s woolen mills produced the once well-known Gorilla jeans that were so strong even a gorilla could not rip them apart. Later floods destroyed the mills, but Faulkner’s vision barreled and sold the mineral water that flowed in springs around the home. The creative businessman generated his own electricity that was used at the mills, and the dams where his turbines were located created a small lake. It was on that lake the Warren County man build Faulkner Springs Resort. It had a hotel, large restaurant, paddle boats and more.

(Above Photo L-R) The first two photos show George McGlothin giving one of the popular daily tours of the home which is on the Historic Registry. In fact, McGlothin notes that Clay Faulkner had more properties on the Historic Registry in Tennessee than anyone else. The picture at right shows Logan Hickerson donating an oil painting done by his grandmother Daisy Faulkner Hickerson to be displayed at Faulkner Springs. Clay Faulkner’s four daughters and son were born and raised there. After the colorful character passed away, the mansion faced an uncertain future. In the 1940’s the home became Faulkner Springs Hospital and also was empty for a period of time.

In 1989 George and Charlien McGlothin (L-R photo ID: George and Charlien McGlothin) purchased Clay Faulkner’s decaying mansion at public auction. The couple then dedicated their lives to bring the structure back to life. This passion has paid off with the National Trust’s Great American Home Award for restoration in 1997. Today, the mansion is filled with museum quality Victorian antiques, and some say it’s presided over by a friendly ghost — perhaps the creative Clay Faulkner himself.

Ties To Murfreesboro

Falcon Rest and the Faulkner family also have local ties to Murfreesboro. Local engineer Logan Hickerson as well as WGNS’ Bart Walker were the great grandsons of Clay Faulkner. Their grandmothers were sisters, and both were born and raised at this historic site. In fact, the Murfreesboro tie began when Walker’s grandfather, James A. Leiper, Jr,fell in love with Virginia Faulkner. Leiper was a pharmacist who was born and raised in Murfreesboro. The Leiper family home on East Main Street here in Murfreesboro is also listed on the Historic Registry. James Leiper married Virginia Faulkner and moved to McMinnville where he established a drugstore and raised his family. This was during the time that Clay Faulkner was alive. In fact, Leiper’s two daughters grew-up about five-miles from Faulkner Springs and were with their grandfather on a regular basis. Faulkner’s great grandsons visited Falcon Rest in 2010. (L-R photo ID) Logan Hickerson, Bart Walker, Charles Dibrell and Clay Hickerson.

Step Into History At Falcon Rest

Falcon Rest is open daily for tours, dinners, bed and breakfast, site of many weddings, group gatherings, tours and more. Special dinner-theatre historic presentations are offered to groups as well as public showing at various times throughout the year.

For those who have a GPS system and wish to visit Falcon Rest in McMinnville, Tennessee, it is located at 2645 Faulkner Springs Road. If you have questions, call them at 931-668-4444 or check the website: www.falconrest.com.

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