A list of eight endangered historic properties that was announced on Friday includes the Oliver Springs Southern Railroad Depot and Magnet Mills, a former hosiery mill in Clinton.

The East Tennessee Endangered 8 is announced each year by the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance.

Here is more information from an ETPA press release:

Each year, the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance presents a list of endangered heritage sites in our region.

Endangered historic places are selected by the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Board of Directors from nominations received from members and the general public. The goal is to bring attention to these threatened heritage assets and encourage property owners and communities to develop preservation strategies for saving them.

Historic preservation is important. There are proven benefits to property owners, neighborhoods, and entire cities. It is an essential tool for creating places with a high quality of life, stable property values, and tourism appeal. The preservation movement no longer relies on faith alone to explain why saving our heritage is beneficial to the greater good. There is now conclusive data proving it is a strategy that works. Community leaders and property owners need to be aware of this before more of our historic places are lost forever.

Raising awareness of both the importance of historic preservation and specifically threatened places is why the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance produces this list annually. It is also why we are developing PLACES, the Preservation Toolbox for East Tennessee. Our goal is for the toolbox to assist with the process of developing viable solutions for saving our endangered heritage.

 

The 2016 Endangered 8

1) Historic Downtown Dandridge—Jefferson County (new for 2016)

Dandridge appears to be at a significant crossroads. In March 2016, the Dandridge Community Trust dissolved, ending the town’s participation in the Tennessee Main Street program. There is growing concern about proposals to relocate the Jefferson County Courthouse operations away from downtown and the historic courthouse due to maintenance demands. The Jefferson County Board of Education had to vacate the old jail building (c. 1845) that is adjacent to the courthouse due to mold issues. The 1927 Barber McMurry-designed Dandridge School has been on the East Tennessee Endangered Heritage list since 2012, and there is still no long-term plan for saving the structure. The Roper Tavern (c. 1817), built by John Roper, who served in the War of 1812 and later became a well-known Dandridge merchant and president of the first bank in Jefferson County, has been on the Endangered Heritage list since 2014. The building has had some recent cosmetic improvements, but there is still concern about the overall structural integrity. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is removing the historic Hoskins-Jarnagin Bridge that crosses Douglas Lake at downtown to be replaced with a modern, wider bridge. These are examples of the many issues suddenly facing downtown Dandridge. The town has a good preservation track record, and city leaders need to offer assurance that a plan is in place for management of the historic district.

Dandridge is the second-oldest city in Tennessee and is home to the oldest operating courthouse in the state. Founded in 1783 and established as the county seat in 1799, the town is named after Martha Dandridge Washington. The construction of Douglas Dam in 1942 flooded much of the surrounding farmland and threatened to flood most of downtown Dandridge, which was situated below the proposed reservoir’s high-water mark. Residents of the town successfully petitioned First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, pointing out that Dandridge was the only town in the United States named for the wife of George Washington. The Tennessee Valley Authority constructed a saddle dam between downtown Dandridge and the lake to protect the historic town. Dandridge has been noted for its preservation efforts, establishing design guidelines and operating a historic zoning commission. It has been a long-time participant in the Tennessee Main Street program, a statewide program that emphasizes the revitalization of historic business districts. In 2011, the town was named one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust alongside Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Sonoma, California.

2) Old Jefferson City Hall—Jefferson County (new for 2016)

 The Old Jefferson City Hall was built in 1868 by John Roper Branner, one of Jefferson City’s most influential citizens, about the same time as his nearby home known as the Historic Glenmore Mansion. The structure was home to the Masonic girl’s school and local lodge. In 1882, the site became the community’s first public school after the young ladies were moved to the Mossy Creek Baptist College campus—a precursor to today’s Carson-Newman University. In 1904, space was provided to the city for offices, and a two-story addition was added to the front of the building. In 1930, the city and lodge divided the space and added a wing for the City Hall and its fire department (and first fire truck). City government used the site until 1989. From 1868 until recently, local Masonic Lodge #353 continuously held sessions in the building. It holds a prominent position as an anchor on the southeast end of downtown.

Since the City Hall relocated in 1989, only a portion of the building has been used by the Masonic Lodge. Age, lack of maintenance, and water damage have contributed to its current condition, which is still stable. The roof has not been replaced since the 1950s and needs repair. The current owners are not able to make repairs and have a desire to sell the property. A new owner who will redevelop the property into a beneficial use for the community should be found soon. Downtown Jefferson City participated in the Tennessee Downtowns program, is one of the state’s newest CLG communities, and has implemented design standards and a façade grant program downtown. Most recently, a new public park was approved for the district

3) Oliver Springs Southern Railroad Depot—Roane County (new for 2016)

Built around 1893, the Oliver Springs Depot was one of the busiest of the Coster Division. Its popularity grew along with the nationally known Oliver Springs Resort Hotel and nearby coal production. This building is a small-frame style, one-story structure. The original interior wood has writing still visible from 123 years ago. It features gabbles and large overhangs. The last passenger train pulled through the depot in 1968. In 1983 Southern Railway planned to demolish the structure. The town rallied for saving this historic remnant and eventually struck a deal with Southern Railway, provided it would be removed from the site and relocated elsewhere. In 1986, the citizens of Oliver Springs were able to have the building moved across the street with the help of TVA.

The depot is currently home to the Oliver Springs Library and Museum operated by the Oliver Springs Historical Society. The outside paint is lead-based and needs containment and new paint. Roof repairs and water drainage are also issues. The town has little funding to make repairs, and it is the only library and source for Internet connection for many citizens. Time is of the essence. The town is applying for a TDOT Enhancement Grant to help make repairs. Repairs need to be made to ensure the structure has a future in the community.

4) New Salem Baptist Church—Sevierville, Sevier County

The New Salem Baptist Church was built in 1886 by Isaac Dockery, noted African American builder, and is Sevierville’s oldest surviving building, Sevier County’s oldest brick church building, and the only historic African American church in the county. The Gothic revival church served the thriving African American community until the 1950s, when the last services were held by the original congregation. Since that time, the church has been used by other congregations and denominations, and the historic integrity has slowly been chipped away. The original bell tower and pulpit furniture have been removed, and the overall interior has been altered significantly. Even with these changes, the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, and a Tennessee Historical marker was placed on the grounds in 2006.

Today the church and grounds are used for the Annual Dockery Family Reunion, which draws hundreds of descendants to the church and idyllic grounds. The Dockery Family Association has been working with the East Tennessee Community Design Center, the African American Heritage Alliance, and ETPA to find a long-term preservation solution for the building that would preserve the legacy of the building and the contributions of the congregation. The building suffers from lack of maintenance and ventilation issues, which are compromising the structure. It also sits in a floodplain and the main level needs to be raised. The New Salem Renovation Task Force is spearheading the preservation and fundraising efforts. They have set a goal to raise $500,000.

5) Former Tennessee Military Institute—Sweetwater, Monroe County

Sweetwater Military College was established in 1874 and was later named Tennessee Military Institute in 1902. The 144-acre campus includes ten buildings, with the main and most iconic building dating back to 1909. The campus and the educational activities that have occurred there have always been a major part of the Sweetwater Community. During World War II, TMI was where commissioned officers were found, and it became one of the best-known schools in the world with students from all states and several foreign countries. In 1988, TMI closed and was sold to Meiji Gakuin University who operated a Japanese high school called Tennessee Meiji Gakuin (TMG). The high school was first of its kind in the U.S. and served Japanese students whose parents and guardians were living in the America. In 2007, the school was permanently closed. After the closing, the property suffered from ownership battles. That dispute has been settled, but there are roof and other stabilization issues that need to be addressed by the current owner as well as the development of a long-tern vision for its redevelopment. An attempt to start a veterans-based therapy program using horses has not taken off.

No long-term goals have been set. The buildings are empty and without power. The structures exhibit visible damage from neglect and vandalism. According to the City of Sweetwater, property taxes have not been paid since the 2011 tax year. There is a dispute between the owner and the city on the amount of taxes owed. The city and owner need to come to terms on an agreeable tax amount due. A long-term plan needs to be developed. Roof repairs and other immediate issues need to be addressed as soon as possible.

6) Tanner School—Newport, Cocke County

The Newport Consolidated School, later called the Tanner School, was built in 1924 with financial support from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. Rosenwald helped fund hundreds of African American schools across the country and the Tanner School is one of a handful of Rosenwald schools in East Tennessee. Over the years, the historic school building evolved to serve growing community needs. The former school made way for community organizations as well as outreach programs. In April 2011, The Tanner School, now known as the Tanner Cultural Center, received significant roof damage from a tornado that swept through Cocke County. Eventually, the roof was replaced, but not before significant water and mold damage had occurred inside the building. Due to the hazardous nature of the mold, the organizations were asked to move out of the building and its future became uncertain.

The City of Newport, the owner of the building, has begun extensive cleanup efforts and is commended for addressing environmental abatement issues. The Tanner Preservation Alliance (TPA) was established in 2012 to oversee the restoration and long-term preservation of the building and they continue to seek funding for doing that. Heat and air units have been repaired and or replaced. There is a lack of funding for repairs and grants are being sought. Plans for how to use the building in the future are not fully established.

7) Stonecipher-Kelly House—Morgan County (near Wartburg)

The Stonecipher-Kelly House was built around 1814 by the first permanent white settlers in that area, as part of a Revolutionary War land-grant. The saddlebag style home is unusual for the region and the house retains most of its original character-defining architectural features. Around 1807-1808, Joseph Marion Stonecipher and his sons, along with the Samuel Hall family, were the first permanent white settlers in the wilderness area that is now called Morgan County. The Stoneciphers settled various tracts of a Revolutionary War land-grant in the beautiful Emory River valley and its tributaries. In 1814, Ezra B. Stonecipher, one of Joseph’s sons, constructed an unusually large, two-story log home with an additional third-level loft on a portion of the land-grant adjacent to an area known today as Frozen Head State Park. The saddlebag style is unusual for the region, and the house retains most of its original, character-defining, architectural features. In December 2012, the estate put the house and 30 acres up for auction. Barbara Stagg, then ETPA board member and longtime Morgan County resident, worked with descendants of the McCartt family and local preservationists to organize a group of buyers for the property with the intention of later transferring it to a public or nonprofit entity. In February 2013, the house and property was presented to the State Land Acquisition Commission for review as a potential addition to the Frozen Head State Park and was accepted. Some cleanup has occurred.

Limited clean-up and repairs have occurred, but the structure is not being used, and no plan for how to use it in the future has been developed. Local preservationists would like to the House added to the National Register of Historic Places and ensure proper repairs are made. There also should be an effort to firmly define how it will become part of the state park experience and used as a heritage asset for the community.

8) Magnet Mills—Clinton, Anderson County

Magnet Mills first opened its doors in 1906 operating as a hosiery mill. By 1930, the mill employed more than 1,000 people. At one point, the mill owners operated at a loss during the Great Depression just to keep people working. The mill was sold to Frank and Samuel Burd of San Francisco, California in 1965, when the southern knitting industry went into decline. In March of 1967, a prolonged strike resulted in a management decision to close the mill down. Two businesses had brief ventures on the property in the 1980s, but were subsequently abandoned. The property has been in a slow but consistent decline since then. In 2008, a development group presented plans to redevelop the site, including retail, restaurants, commercial properties, and condos, but the plans were adjusted when the economy took a downturn. Some of the property has since been demolished. A major fire occurred on April 8 damaging even more of the building.

The complex suffers from neglect and decay. The City of Clinton may be seeking condemnation, and the property owner is out of state. ETPA feels potential developers are not responding because of the current price. The owner needs to adjust pricing to appeal to a local developer willing to take on redevelopment. Any demolition needs to be as controlled as possible to save as much of the original character as possible.

To learn more about the East Tennessee Endangered 8, please visit www.knoxheritage.org/ETPA.

There are previously endangered places that are no longer listed, and we are proud that the Alexander Inn/Guest House in Oak Ridge and Arrowmont in Gatlinburg are no longer threatened. We are also excited to see former listings such as Brushy Mountain in Morgan County, the Oak Grove School in Union County, and the old Post Office in LaFolette move in a positive direction through new investment and community preservation efforts. We continue to watch potentially threatened properties such as the Oak Road Dormitory Building in Norris and Rural Mount in Hamblen County. This May, in honor of National Preservation Month, ETPA will be doing a special feature on Morristown College which has been on the Endangered list since 2010.

About the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance

The East Tennessee Preservation Alliance works to preserve the structures and places with historic or cultural significance in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. ETPA partners with Knox Heritage to serve as the regional arm for preservation activities in these 16 counties, is supported by local leadership from each county, advocates on behalf of historic preservation, collaborates with regional partners, educates on the importance of preservation, and seeks solutions for challenging preservation issues.

More information will be added as it becomes available.