Macon County Museum/Historic Places
Macon County is full of history. Throughout the county, you can find historic markers and collections of the county’s history. Here are just a few of the places you can go to see history that has shaped the people of Macon County’s heritage.
Gateway Sign
100 Public Square
Lafayette, TN 37083
A Civil War Dedication for an introduction of Macon County’s six Civil War Trail signs was held in the courtyard of the Macon County Courthouse in Lafayette, TN on 8/31/2010. The Gateway Sign depicts these strategic landmarks that hold significant history of the Civil War era in Macon County.
Key Park Log Cabin
208 Church Street
Lafayette, TN 37083
This historic landmark, circa 1840, is one of the oldest log cabins in the city of Lafayette. This was the home of Meredith Bellew Johnston, son of John B. Johnston who sold 28 acres in 1842 to the City of Lafayette for a county seat site. Meredith B. Johnston’s granddaughter, Delia Key Jackson at her death in 1975, donated 4 acres of land to the City of Lafayette for Key Park. The log cabin now houses artifacts of the Johnston family, and early days of Macon County.
WW II Maneuvers Historical Marker
685 Highway 52 ByPass West
Lafayette, TN 37083
This historical marker was erected 10/24/2014. Macon County was a host county for WWII maneuvers in preparation of the invasion of Europe in 1944. On June 15 & 16, 1943, mock drills and battles were conducted at this site in the Brattontown community of Lafayette. Skies were filled with 101st Airborne C-47’s and CG-4A gliders of 326th Glider Regiment for flight/parachute practice. The flat open ground was similar to the terrain in Germany where units were to be deployed and was ideal for the 502nd and 506th paratrooper units to practice jumps from the gliders.
Gibson Cafe
100 East Locust Street
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-666-2244
This building is the last remaining brick structure in Lafayette made from brick fired in the old brick yard in Lafayette. Originally, the Faust House Hotel & Livery Stable was located here. This wooden structure was torn down and a brick structure was erected. The building first served as the Macon County Post Office, and the post office vault is still located here. The brick structure was first remodeled in the 1930’s, and Gibson Café owners remodeled and further preserved this historic building in 2005. Guests can delight in photos of past history of Macon County on the café walls while enjoying the delicious food prepared daily at Gibson’s Café.
Liberty Missionary Baptist Church
1190 Liberty Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
This church is located on Long Fork Creek in Macon County and is still an active church. It is the third oldest organized church in Macon County and has been called the mother of churches because of the large number of churches constituted from her members. Many older Macon County residents rejoice to tell of the large crowds attending
annual revival meetings at this old church, when people would crowd around the windows from the outside to hear the gospel proclaimed. We pay tribute to the early settlers in the community who gave land and built the church house to provide a place of worship.
Civil War Park
317 Main Street
Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150
A Civil War Park was sanctioned by the City of Red Boiling Springs as a new city park on 7/12/2014. This park is located across the road/creek from the present Palace Nursing Home. The Palace Nursing Home sets in the same location as the former Webb Hotel during the Civil War period. Webb Hotel served as a shelter, an Enlistment Center and a Civil War Hospital during the Civil War.
Rita Coolidge Marker
101 Public Square
Lafayette, TN 37083
One-time Lafayette resident, Rita Coolidge is honored with a Tennessee Music Pathways marker. Rita, a solo artist is considered to be one of the most influential female singers and songwriters of her generation. For more information, watch this video.
Russel Smith Marker
201 West Locust St.
Lafayette, TN 37083
Launched by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in 2018, Tennessee Music Pathways is an online planning guide that connects visitors to the state’s rich musical heritage at tnmusicpathways.com.
From the largest cities to the smallest communities, Tennessee Music Pathways stretches across all 95 counties and features hundreds of landmarks from the seven genres of music that call Tennessee home.
Russell Smith grew up in Lafayette on Church Street and was the leader of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, with their Top 20 hit “Third Rate Romance.” You can stop by the plaque at the corner of West Locust and Red Boiling Springs Road (Citizens Bank on the square) and read about Smith.
Macon County Chamber of Commerce
685 Highway 52 Bypass West
Lafayette, TN 37083 (map)
Phone: 615-666-5885
Fax: 615-666-6969
Email: mchamber@nctc.com