Our Community
UTC@Chapel Hill
A Growing Community Rooted in Southern Traditions
Chapel Hill is a community rooted deep in the southern traditions of the United States. Th e community was settled in the early 1800s by John Laws who came to the area from North Carolina. He was so fond of the area that he named the community after his hometown of Chapel Hill, NC.
Exciting Points of Interest
Chapel Hill was the boyhood home of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, a noted Confederate soldier and leader. A monument to this historic fi gure is part of the town’s architecture today. Henry Horton State Park, with lots of opportunities for golfing, swimming, camping and more. Serves as home base for many employees of the Saturn car plant in Spring Hill.
Special Events
Lions Club “Super Pull of the South” Tractor Pull.
Nighttime Christmas Parade.
What Folks have to say:
Mike Hatten, town administrator in Chapel Hill, says the community is one that is “moving forward with strong traditions.”
“We have a diverse population and over the past two years, Chapel Hill has welcomed many new businesses and with the influx of new homes being built, the town continues to grow by leaps and bounds,” he says. “But we also manage to maintain that home town feel which I believe is the centerpiece of this community. You get that feeling wherever you go in town.”
UTC@Estill Springs
A Young Town Making History Today
The community celebrated its 50th anniversary just a few years ago, so there is a lot of history still to be written about Estill Springs. Originally known as Ansonia, the town was named after Frank Estill and was incorporated offi cially in 1948.
Exciting Points of Interest
Situated between Woods Reservoir and Tims Ford Lake, there is a lot of recreation and outdoor activities in the community. Camp Harris – located near Estill Springs, served as an early Confederate staging and training center. Estill Springs Park – features a ballfield, fishing, boat launch area, picnic area and playground. Young & Moore Community Center – Activities include ballgames, gymnasium, picnic area, volleyball, and a walking track. The Franklin County Saddle Club offers horseback riding all year long.
What Folks have to say:
Randy Bradford, owner of Bradford’s Pharmacy, says that Estill Springs is the kind of place where everyone pretty much knows everyone else, and where you can find a friendly face just about everywhere you look.
“We’re pretty laid back here,” he says. “We’re not rushed or hurried. There are no sidewalks but we take care of each other. We are modern but we like to take it easy here. You can breathe in Estill Springs.”
The Mayor, Tony DeMatteo, has an open door policy and all folks are welcome at anytime.
UTC@College Grove
“A Place Where People Feel Comfortable”
College Grove dates back to around 1800 when the Allison and Ogilivie families settled the area. Soon, other families with names familiar to Tennesseeans today – like the Demonbreuns, Hughes, Rogers, Cannons, Covingtons, Gentrys, Pages, Scales and Webbs – moved in. Until 1840, the community was known as Poplar Grove. However in 1861, the US Post Office came to the community. Th is prompted a name change since there was already a Poplar Grove in Tennessee. The name was changed to College Grove in honor of a boy’s school and a female seminary in the community.
Exciting Points of Interest
The College Grove Senior Enrichment Center. College Grove Grocery and Deli. Joy in the Morning Antique Shop. Antique Hot Rods and Th reads. College Grove Lions. College Grove Community Library. Rivers Construction. The Hair Station. Bowerboz Antiques.
Special Events
The College Grove Senior Enrichment Center hosts many
events all year, including:
Annual Katie Reed Golf Classic, First Saturday after Labor
Day each year.
Bluegrass, Barbeque and Live Auction, April.
Trash and Treasure sale in February.
Bake Sale in February.
NOTE: (all proceeds of fundraising events benefit the program of the Senior Enrichment Center)
The College Grove Read-A-Thon is held at College Grove Elementary School every October.
What Folks have to say:
“College Grove is a great community with lots of interesting and friendly people, beautiful countryside and quiet byways.”
UTC@Nolensville
The Home of the Broken Wheel Festival
When Nolensville settler William Nolen broke a wagon wheel, little did he know that he would set a course for history – and a new celebration in the town that carries his name. That historic moment in 1797 resulted when Nolen, his wife, Sarah, and their five children were traveling through the area. The delay caused by the broken wagon wheel turned out to be a blessing when, looking around the area, Nolen realized that he was in a perfect place to settle his family.
Exciting Points of Interest
The Broken Wheel Festival takes place annually on the fi rst Saturday following Labor Day. This event is hosted by the Nolensville Chamber of Commerce and highlights the local businesses with the focus on family friendly entertainment. The stagecoach race ran from Chapel Hill to Nashville, but would change horses in Nolensville – at least until 1910 when the stagecoach stopped. Fire destroyed much of the town twice in its history – first in 1953 and again in 1968.
Special Events
The Jenkins Cumberland Presbyterian Church Barbeque
in April.
The Nolensville United Methodist Church Annual Lawn
Festival.
June hosts The Lions Club Pancake Breakfast and The Lions
Club Horse Show.
Williamson County Fair in August.
Ebenezer United Methodist Church Annual Fish Fry
in September.
What Folks have to say:
“The town has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the area with new elementary/middle schools, and another elementary school that opened in 2008. Nolensville is a great place to live and work.”
UTC@Fosterville
A Place Where You Have Room To Live And Walk Your Dog
The town of Fosterville originated as a spot on the old Highway 231. But when the railroad came to town, a man named Mr. Edwards purchased the old trading post that was on the highway and moved it closer to the railroad. The trading post was owned by a man named Foster, so Mr. Edwards decided to honor him by naming the newly located town after him. The railroad was an important fixture in the town. The water tower was erected to service the cars, and the railroad would bring in loads of coal for the townspeople. It was about this time that a tornado swept through Fosterville taking most of the town with it. There was so much damage, that many of the buildings and businesses never rebuilt.
Exciting Points of Interest
The old Edwards home, listed on the National Registry of
Historic Places, still stands overlooking Dry Fork Creek.
The old community store is now used as a location for various
town events, reunions, and other gatherings.
Soapstone Hill – Every year, local students climb the hill as
part of a tradition started with a Bible class years ago.
Toll Gate House - Historical Landmark - log cabin built
in the late 1700’s and became a Toll Gate House in the late
1800’s after the Civil War. The log cabin is located on Highway
231 near the Rutherford County Marker and is owned
by Don Powell of Fosterville.
Special Events
The Homecoming 85/86 event. That year, hundreds of
people visited Fosterville at a special town reunion.
The Art of Making Molasses – a community event that
helps teach young children about a disappearing art. Craig
Lynch hosts this annual event at his log cabin in late September.
He says, “It is a community effort and everyone gets
to take home some of the ‘Sweetness’.”
What Folks have to say:
"We used to have a lot of all-day picnics and ice cream socials in Fosterville, but those are things of the past,” says resident Angie Lynch. “Today, it is a nice, quiet town where everybody is friendly. It’s the kind of place where you can have room to live and a place to walk your dog.”
UTC@Belfast
Known For Its Freestone Water Springs
Most historians agree that this little town got its name in honor of its Irish sister city since most of the settlers here were of Scotch/Irish descent. In 1807, these early settlers started a tradition in Belfast, TN, that continues today – a traditional, tight-knit community.
Exciting Points of Interest
The area around Belfast is known for its many freestone water
springs which have been the source for good, cold water
for area residents ever since.
The town really took off in 1882 when a railroad line from
Columbia to Fayetteville connected Belfast to larger depots.
For nearly 100 years (the line closed in 1961), Belfast was a
real hub of transportation for the area.
Most folks know Belfast for its annual Walking Horse Show
that the local Lion’s Club sponsors each year.
Special Events
In August, the Lions Club hosts a horse show.
In June, the Fire Department also hosts a benefit horse
show.
What Folks have to say:
Nathan Johnson has owned Belfast Market since 1990, and says it offers him the kind of lifestyle that he enjoys. Being a part of a close community where most people know each other is what keeps him at the store. That, and the stories he hears.
“Some of the older fellas like to come in and tell stories,” he says. “They’re almost always about coon hunting or horses.”
UTC@Flat Creek
Home of Possum Trot and Devil Road
This Bedford County community is the perfect place to take a nice drive in the country – to explore the back roads and history of Flat Creek.
Exciting Points of Interest
The General Store Museum - County Line Road.
An old cemetery with a round house.
The Flat Creek Community Club has become a gathering
place for gospel singing and get-togethers.
The Rose Bank Cemetery established in 1893.
Several historic homes – including the old Zimmerman
place that dates back to 1908 which has a stone fireplace
believed to be built by slaves.
The Flat Creek United Methodist Church with its exquisite
stained glass windows.
Sallie’s Market and Deli – the gathering place of the new
century.
Bottle Hollow Lodge - Bed & Breakfast, Patsy Whiteside
- owner - 18 years. Great place for luncheons, dinners and
weddings.
Even the roads in Flat Creek have a uniqueness all their
own. With names like Possum Trot Road, New Herman
Road, Devil Road, and Joe Hart Road, they all seem to
have a story to tell.
What Folks have to say:
Flat Creek activities tend to revolve around the school. Most enjoy going to the local ball games, school plays, and other events. And sooner or later, you’re bound to bump into someone you know at the local market.
“I enjoy it here in Flat Creek,” says Sallie Lemmon. “I like hearing the stories that some of the old-timers tell each other. They usually get bigger than life after a while.”
UTC@Unionville
Strong Roots and a Vision For the Future
How Unionville was named is somewhat of a mystery. Many folks believe it was because of a large camp of Union soldiers during the Civil War, while others say it was when two post offices combined into one – as in a “union”. Whatever the real story behind the name, Unionville today boasts of a rich history. At one time, Unionville was home to a pencil mill and a cotton gin. Many in the town remember when it was called Doolittle – reportedly after the name of a Dr. Doolittle who served the town for many years. In 1925, the high school in Rover burned down and it was rebuilt at Unionville and called Community School – serving both Rover and Unionville students, elementary & high school.
Exciting Points of Interest
Museum in nearby Shelbyville has a large collection of
Unionville history and artifacts.
A little red schoolhouse that educated many students in
Unionville’s history still stands today.
The Dickens House, Middleton Home and Covington
Home are still standing.
The Tennessee Fire & Service Codes Enforcement Academy
is located in Unionville. State legislators voted to locate the
academy in Unionville after an antique fire truck toured the
state and supporters gathered enough signatures to convince
lawmakers.
Tennessee Gov. McCord was born in Unionville – as well as
several famous educators in the state.
Give or take a few years, Hallsmill Store in Unionville is one
of the oldest establishments in the area. This store originally
dates back to the early 20th century.
New Piggly Wiggly store includes deli.
New restaurants - Sweet Aroma and Hen House.
A new high school will be completed in 2009.
