Constructed in 1816, this house is the only surviving Tennessee residence associated with the nation’s eleventh president. James Knox Polk lived here from 1818 to 1824. When his mother died in 1852, the house passed to his younger brother, William H. Polk. As Tennesseans considered secession during the 1860 presidential election, William Polk supported Stephen H. Douglas over John Breckinridge. In 1861 he became a staunch Unionist, chaired the Tennessee Unionist Convention, and was chosen as its gubernatorial nominee to oppose secessionist Isham G. Harris for Tennessee governor. The Confederate press attacked his candidacy, and Harris defeated him 74,973 to 43,342. After Federal troops occupied Columbia in March 1862, they established the Provost Marshal headquarters at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church next door. In September, William Polk joined Union Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden’s staff in Nashville. He became ill there and died on December 16, 1862, and Sarah K. Polk arranged with Union General William S. Rosecrans to have his body returned to Columbia for burial in Greenwood Cemetery.