Built about 1819 as a stagecoach inn by Sandford Duncan, a large landowner and a leader in forming Simpson County, the Sandford Duncan Inn retains most of its original structure. On Duncan's land one mile south lay Linkumpinch, a famous dueling ground. Although Tennessee had outlawed dueling, from 1819 to 1827 the inn frequently hosted notable antagonists, including General Sam Houston. At Linkumpinch, Tennesseans fought two famous duels: in September 1826, Sam Houston severely wounded General William White, and in March 1827 attorneys R.M. Brank and C.M. Smith dueled, with Brank killed and Smith disbarred by Tennessee court action that brought the end of dueling there.