C07: Robertson County
Region: Middle Tennessee
Time Zone: Central
From Montgomery County on the west, follow U.S. 41 to Springfield. Then follow TN 49 from Springfield east to Orlinda. TN52 begins in downtown Orlinda and heads east where it crosses I-65 at exit 117. A mile later TN52 enters Sumner County.
Things to See in Robertson County
The Bell Witch Cave
GPS Coordinates: 36.58997, -87.06060
The Bell Witch Cave
430 Keysburg Road
Adams, Tennessee
http://www.bellwitchcave.com
The Bell Witch Cave is associated with the true story of the Bell Witch and considered to be one of the most haunted places in America. The Bell Witch is the legendary spirit who haunted the John Bell family from 1816 to 1820. The cave is also a site of Native American history. Text courtesy of the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce.
The Legacy Golf Course
Legacy Golf Course
100 Raymond Floyd Drive
Springfield, TN 37172
Telephone: (615) 384-4653
www.golfthelegacy.com
Open to the public, The Legacy is a 6,755-yard course designed by PGA Hall of Fame player Ray Floyd. The course plays through woodlands and rolling hills -- always with scenic views of the Tennessee countryside. Photo: Clipart.
Marie's
Marie's
901 Hill St
Springfield, TN 37172
(615) 384-3199
Tennessee's largest thrift store! Marie's features furniture, appliances, antiques, glassware and more. From the intersection of U.S. 41 and TN 49 in downtown Springfield, head west on TN 49 for about a block, then turn left on Hill Street. Marie's is a few blocks down on your right at the corner of Hill Street and 10th Avenue.
Roadside Fruit & Vegetable Markets
Milldale, TN
During the summer, you will usually find several roadside stands selling local fruits and vegetables in the tiny crossing of Milldale, Tennessee. Milldale is about three miles west of Orlinda on TN 49.
Chateau Ross Vineyard & Winery
Chateau Ross Vineyard & Winery
5823 Fulton Road
Springfield, TN 37172
(615) 654-9463 (654-WINE)
www.chateauross.com
http://www.tennesseewines.com/chateau_ross.htm
Today, Chateau Ross sells most of its wine to distributors who, in turn, sell it to liquor stores, wine shops, and restaurants throughout the state. Because of this, Chateau Ross is not really set up for tourists anymore. (For example, their tasting room is now a storage room for wine casks.) However, they still welcome visitors who would like to come by. You must call in advance to make an appointment.
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The Last days of Frank and Jesse James Filming
Location
Orlinda, Tennessee
Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and June Carter Cash starred in this 1986 made-for-TV movie. The town scenes in the movie were filmed in downtown Orlinda. Truckloads of dirt were brought in and spread out over the paved street to make it look like an old west dirt street. Other country scenes were filmed in Robertson County. See the Internet Movie Database for more information on the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091382 Interestingly, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash lived near Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, which is right next door in Sumner County. Of course, Johnny and June have since died.
Historic Thomas Drugs
7802 Hwy 25E
Cross Plains, TN 37049
(615) 654-3877
www.thomasdrugs.net
Remember the old-fashioned drugstore complete with a soda fountain?
Want a hand-dipped milkshake just like in the 1950s? Look no further!
The Gammon Family Dairy
The Gammons Family Dairy
5766 Highland Road
Orlinda, TN 37141
(615) 654-8621
www.tnrealmilk.com
The Gammons Family Dairy is a working dairy with a retail store. They also offer fun and educational tours of their operations. (The tours are very popular with school children.) Photo courtesy The Gammons Family.
Sumner Crest Winery
Sumner Crest Winery
5306 Old Highway 52
Portland, TN 37148
(615) 325-4086
www.sumnercrestwinery.com
www.tennesseewines.com/sumner_crest.htm
At Sumner Crest Winery, you will find locally-made Tennessee wines, a collection of antique cars, a collection of European antiques on display, and a large selection of specialty gift items for sale.
Things to See in Cheatham County, south of Robertson County
Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail
The Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail begins about 1/4 mile from the Deerfield Inn at 1212 North Main Street. Following the old Tennessee Central Railroad line, the first part of the trail is four miles long and is paved. This is the perfect spot to walk, jog or ride a bicycle. You will be walking beside a lake and crossing many bridges including a 1903 steel trestle.
At the end of the four mile trail, there is a second parking lot. At this point, there is a two-mile unpaved trail.
You will frequently see wildlife on or near the trail. Animals include deer, wild turkeys, ducks, Canadian geese, squirrels, and more.
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To get to the Bicentennial Trail from the Deerfield Inn (about 1/4 mile drive or walk):
From the front of the hotel, turn left on TN 12 (North Main Street).
Cross the small bridge.
Turn left on Chapsmanboro Road. (Look for the "Tennessee Greenways and Trails" sign.)
The parking lot and the Marks Creek trailhead will be on your right. From here, the paved trail goes 4 miles and crosses the 1903 railroad trestle.
Note: the 1903 railroad trestle is arguably the most interesting part of the trail. However, it is at the other end of the four-mile trail. If you don't want to walk eight miles total, you can park in the second parking lot by following these directions:
Keep driving on Chapmansboro Road for approximately five miles. The road twists and turns as it follows the Cumberland River.
You will cross a large concrete bridge over the lake. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right. (You will still be on Chapmansboro Road. There will be a series of houses to your right directly on the lake.)
Go approximately one mile.
The parking lot is on your left. The Sycamore Creek trailhead will be across the street. From here, it is approximately a 1.2 mile roundtrip walk to cross the trestle.
The Eagle Pass trailhead also starts from this parking lot. That trial is 2 miles and is unpaved.
Sycamore Creek Recreation Area / Cheatham Lake
The Sycamore Creek Recreation Area is located on Cheatham Lake. The area is managed by the United States Corps of Engineers. Visitors will find boat-launch ramps, a playground, picnic areas and restrooms. To get to the Sycamore Park Recreation Area, follow these directions:
From the front of the hotel, turn left on TN 12 (North Main Street).
Cross the small bridge.
Turn left on Chapsmanboro Road. (Look for the "Tennessee Greenways and Trails" sign.)
Keep driving on Chapmansboro Road for approximately four miles. The road twists and turns as it follows the Cumberland River. The recreation area parking lot will be on your left just before you cross a concrete bridge.
Area Web Sites
Robertson County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.robertsonchamber.org/
Robertson County Tourism Information
(This site only works in Internet Explorer.)
http://www.visitrobertson.org
Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information
http://www.cheathamchamber.org/Tourism.htm