Most people know 'Jefferson Springs' as just a road. The majority of people in Smyrna moved in after its decline and destruction by Percy Priest lake. I figured I'd share a few images of what once was just on the outskirts of the current town borders.
I cannot find a date, but this article gives information on the final blow to the town as the bridge falls to make was for the rising waters.
The next three images are from the Gore Center website. They have a large collection of images, sadly few online, of the area. The first image is of the ill-fated bridge
The Tennessee State library and Archive has a small section on Tennessee resorts and their history. In the section titled 'aftermath' they give some detail on Jefferson Springs.
The practice of cattle wading into a particular site of the Stones River brought to light sulphur springs bubbling up from the riverbed. A coffer dam forced the water to the surface, and a resort developed at Jefferson Springs, four miles northeast of Smyrna. The early twentieth century found a hotel, boarding houses, and a number of cottages at the springs. Dancing, swimming, and boating occupied the vacationers. By 1931, there was on site a store, a restaurant, two bowling alleys, a pool hall, a bath house, and a toboggan slide into the water. A nearby park offered croquet, ball games, camping and picnicking. The popularity of this resort area declined following World War II.
There is a lot of history in Smyrna that most do not know about. I wish I could find more older images to help people connect to a great town.
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