Settlement

Looking around the city in 2011, it is hard to believe that Spring Hill was once an unsettled wilderness. Tribes of the Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek and Shanwee all hunted the beautiful countryside.

In the early 1800’s, land was granted to three Revolutionary War soldiers, Major George Doherty, John Hardin and Major Ezekiel Polk. The three land grants came to a point near the current intersections of Duplex Road, Old Military Road and U.S. Highway 31. This regional settlement came to be what is now present day Spring Hill.

The first settlers arrived in 1808 and Albert Russell was credited with being the first to clear his land and build a home. He built a log cabin on a hill above the local spring and named his home Anne’s Bower, which later became known as Old Tanyard Spring. By 1809, others began to settle here and by 1810 settlers petitioned the Maury County Court for a road from Columbia the local settlement’s cotton gin. 

Many of the original settlers were from cultured families with many social ties to the eastern United States. As such, schools and churches were considered a priority among the settlers. In 1816, William Williford began a co-ed school. James Peters, a Methodist preacher built a log church in 1819 and people would travel from miles away to attend the services.

In 1824, Henry Wade purchased the Tanyard Spring land, formerly owned by Albert Russell, with a vision of creating a town. He surveyed the land and began to sell lots along what is today Main Street or U.S. Highway 31. The town officially needed a name and because so many had become accustomed to transporting water over the hill from the Spring, the town became Spring Hill in 1825.

A Civil War Site

On November 29, 1864 Federal and Confederate forces converged on the town of Spring Hill. The Federal Army Units from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana fought the Confederate troops of Tennessee commanded by Hood, Forrest, Cleburne and Brown. Over 30,000 fought throughout the day and an estimated 850 Confederate and Union soldiers were killed in the town of Spring Hill that day.

The Spring Hill Battlefield site, located northwest of the Saturn Parkway off of Kedron Road, is today preserved and protected by the Association for Preservation of Civil War Sites.

Historic Homes Still Stand Amidst New Development

While the City of Spring Hill has changed dramatically since the first settlement in 1808, beautiful homes still stand amid the new development and give us a glimpse into the City’s rich and historic past:

1		Rippavilla - Built by Nathanial Cheairs in 1854. Located on 5700 Main Street (State Hwy. 31).
2		Ferguson Hall - Built by Martin Cheairs in 1854. Home where Confederate General Earl Van Dorn was murdered by the jealous husband of Jessie McKissack Peters. Located on Main Street (Tn. Childrens' Home Property)
3		White Hall - Built in 1844 by Dr. and Mrs. Aaron White - Used as a hospital during the battles of Spring Hill and Franklin. It was the first headquarters established by Confederate General Earl Van Dorn in 1863. Located on Duplex Road in Spring Hill.
4		The McKissack Home - Built in 1845 and thought to be the first brick home to be built in Spring Hill. Also the childhood home of Jessie McKissack Peters. Located on 5299 Main Street in Spring Hill
5		Oaklawn- Built in 1835 and was the Civil War Headquarters of Confederate General John Bell Hood. Located on 3331 Denning Road in Spring Hill.
6		Gorham Wing House- Known as "The Doctor's Shoppe" built in 1825 and is perhaps the oldest home still standing in Spring Hill.