Photo via book Postcard Memories of Bedford County, Tennessee published by the Bedford County Historical Society.
This magnificent mansion stands as a testament to the homes of opulence in quaint Bell Buckle and its just begging for its story to be told. For that reason, I’d like to introduce you to…drum roll, please…Houses of Bell Buckle Past! Dum dum DUUUM. In this series, we will delve into the structures that have disappeared from Bell Buckle’s landscape.
This marvel of a Victorian home was built in 1886 by John Maurice Webb and his wife Lily. John was brother to W. R. “Sawney” Webb, Sr. He joined Sawney as cofounder of Webb School in 1873.
Photo credit to The Webb School Library and Archives and the book The Webb School of Bell Buckle
The house was designed by Nashville architect George W. Thompson. He was responsible for the architectural vision of structures in the Nashville area and even into Alabama. He designed both of the Webb brother’s homes.
Nashville Banner
Nashville, Tennessee
Tue, May 05, 1891 · Page 3
Lot 11 is John M. Webb’s home location.
John Webb passed away in April of 1916, at the age of 69, after battling a severe illness for several months. Lily mourned her beloved John, and then decided to sell the home and move to North Carolina to live with her sister and her daughter. The Webb’s lot and the surrounding area was surveyed and named Webb’s Court Addition. This home was located on lot number 11.
Enter the Mullins family who moved in and called this their home for 17 years. Yet, on one tragic Wednesday evening, disaster struck as fire engulfed the home. Some of the furniture was saved, but it was a total loss. The once grand lady was now a mere memory.
The Claxton family purchased the property and later built a new house around 1945 on the same site where the old Webb one once stood. That same house has been holding strong for 79 years.
How’s that for a little trip to the past?
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