Fernvale

In 1819, Samuel and Ollie Jones Smith settled along the South Harpeth River near the sulphur springs. In 1879, John B. McEwen purchased Smith's Springs, renamed it Fernvale, and developed a popular summer resort. In 1904, railroad executive William Pepper Bruce bought the resort with 3,500 acres and operated the hotel until it burned in 1910. Fernvale Methodist church, organized in 1849, was built in 1885. Fernvale Church of Christ, organized in 1907, moved to its present building in 1950. Area schools were Bedford, Cherokee, Coldwater, Forest Glen, and Fernvale. Other historic families include Allen, Beasley, Givens, Harrison, Hughes, Inman, Ivy, Jones, King, Kirby, Page, Pewitt, Sullivan, and White.

Tennessee · United States