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Hale Springs Inn, built in 1824 on the Courthouse Square in Rogersville, Tennessee, was the oldest continuously-operated Inn in Tennessee.

Early history

The Inn was originally built in 1824-25 by John McKinney, a local lawyer and businessman, to compete with the tavern operated by the founder of Rogersville, Joseph Rogers, on the Great Stage Road that ran through Knoxville, Tennessee toward the Cumberland Gap.

Distinguished guests

During the nineteenth century, the Inn played host to many famous personages as they made their way into the thriving new state of Tennessee. Among them were United States Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson.

During the American Civil War

During the American Civil War, East Tennessee and her citizens were deeply divided over the issues of slavery, States' rights, and secession that ultimately led to Tennessee's break with the Union.

This conflict was reflected by the buildings Rogersville's occupiers chose when they controlled the town. Early in the war, Union forces captured the town, and during their occupation, they set their headquarters in the Hale Springs Inn, which was on the south side of Main Street, but faced north.

When the Confederacy retook Rogersville in Spring 1863 during the Battle of Big Creek, they established their headquarters in the building across the street from the Inn, the Kyle House -- which was on the north side of Main Street, but faced south.

Into the twentieth century

After the divisive war, the name of the Inn was changed to Hale Springs Hotel, and it began to serve as a stopping point for tourists who were on their way to see nearby Hale Springs Resort, a famous hot mineral springs near Rogersville.

The Inn continued to serve as a hotel until it closed briefly in 1980, when it was purchased, fully restored to its 1820-30s appearance, and reopened as Hale Springs Inn.

The crown jewel of downtown Rogersville

After its owner, Captain Carl Netherland-Brown closed the Inn in 1999, the Rogersville Heritage Association decided to purchase the Inn and continue to operate it as an inn, while discontinuing the function of its kitchen, dining area and garden, focusing on the history of its previous inhabitants as the crown jewel of Rogersville's downtown historic district.

The Inn is undergoing extensive renovations through a public-private joint venture of the Town of Rogersville and the .

National Register of Historic Places

The Inn is not listed as an entry on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, but it is a constituent part of the Rogersville Historic District; as such, it is an historically-significant part of the reason that the District was itself included on the National Register.

See also

• Rogersville, Tennessee
• Rogersville Historic District

External links

• Rogersville Heritage Association
• Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce

References

• Goodspeed, History of East Tennessee. (Knoxville: 1887).
• Price, Henry, Old Rogersville: An Illustrated History of Rogersville, Tennessee. Vol. I. (Rogersville: 2001).
• Price, Henry, Hawkins County: A Pictorial History. (Rogersville: 1996).
• Grubb, Bill, "Town accepts bid for Inn renovations," The Rogersville Review. Vol. 123, no. 44, p. A1, col. 3 (Rogersville, Tenn.: Dec. 5, 2007).

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