1840’s Home Dismantled
Sometime between last spring and last week, this historic Noblit-Lytle home was dismantled. Historical markers have vanished in the area in the last decade as well. This is the site of the Battle of Sugar Creek, the last stand of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, in the Volunteer State.
Inscription. “Thomas H. Noblit (1812-1899), who served the community as justice of the peace, doctor, merchant, and farmer, built this log dogtrot farmhouse in the 1840s. The Civil War battle at Sugar Creek occurred nearby in December 1864. In the 1890s, his son-in-law, William Franklin “Will” Lytle (1858-1942), renovated the house in the Queen Anne style. Will’s daughter, Mary Will Lytle (1897-1990), was among Tennessee’s first women dentists.” …read more
You can thank Barnwood builders, a tv show, they are on Facebook. The episode just aired on April 1 and again tonight
Thanks Malinda!
Dear Mr. Henderson,
I met you at the Giles Co. Museum when you visited Pulaski and asked about the Noble-Lytle House. I just found out what happened to it. It was dismantled for a Karen Tillery who used the men on the TV show Barnwood Builders to take it apart. It just aired tonight on TV on the DIY channel.
Thanks for letting me know John!
So many historic structures in Giles County have been lost. This is just another one to add to the list. It is a tragedy this house was not renovated on site. It has been dismantled for its lumber and logs. Shame on those involved.
In 2005 I was on the Metro Nashville Historical Commision and watched 18th century Evergreen Place go down – after we had a stop work order issued! The problem is at the state level, and there is no teeth in what ever lack regulation there is. I don’t know if this is true, but a staff members told me the fine for unauthorized demolition is $50, and dates back the 19th century?
https://www.scribd.com/document/140642852/Historic-home-demolished-for-Home-Depot
In this case, the THC historical marker for the house disappeared a few years ago (so did another at the end of the road). Convenient. I wonder if Barnwood Builders knew that? The episode runs again tomorrow night.
In Nashville we are currently battling for the Monroe Harding campus. Please sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/tim-walker-nashville-gov-help-us-keep-monroe-harding-historic-and-green-save-the-last-green-tract-in-green-hills?recruiter=747648691&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_content=ex84%3Av3
We helped saved Fort Negley this year, but if there had not been strong evidence of contraband graves on site, I don’t think we would have had a prayer.
Thank you for battling for the Monroe Harding Campus!! We go before the Planning Commission on 8/23/18 to speak our case about saving this historically significant building designed by noted Nashville architect, Henry Hibbs… any advice is appreciated!
I wish I could give some meaningful direction Deborah. Most of the battles I have been involved in have been a lost cause (ancestral history repeats itself LOL). Fort Negely was an exception due to it’s unique nature. The Walmart center on Charlotte was a David vs. Goliath, but we eked out a compromise for a small parcel of park area, when the all-or-nothing approach looked untenable. – bobhenderson@me.com
I don’t believe anyone could feel sicker about this than my brothers and I. This house was built by my great-great grandfather. My parents sold the house to a couple who wanted to renovate it, under the condition they were to give us opportunity to buy it back if they were to ever sell. We were never notified. 5 years ago, we discovered it demolished as we went passed for my mother’s burial at the Noblit Cemetary. I think we feel just as sick today, as we did then.
That’s really sad Helen. We have one that’s been in the family since 1820. I can’t imagine ever seeing that happen. I wonder what Barnwood Builders did with it.