Historic Bell Buckle
Passing train
Caboose at depot site
Commercial section
Old stores
Customers line up
Favorite ice cream spot
Old house across from the depot site
Bell Buckle home
Bell Buckle home
Bell Buckle home
Bell Buckle home
Bell Buckle home
Wooden classroom at the Webb School at Bell Buckle
photo by Webb School
A community with the colorful name of Bell Buckle, Tn., was once a stop along the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga.
Bell Buckle, which is north of Cowan and near the horse country at Shelbyville, is said to have gotten its name from the fact that Cherokees had carved a bell and a buckle on a tree. The buckle was meant as a warning to potential settlers and the bell as a threat that their cattle would be killed.
Bell Buckle grew into a thriving settlement with the advent of the railroad in 1852. It was a prominent shipping center, and many fine homes and stores were erected.
A fire during the Depression years destroyed many of the town buildings. A new set of stores was built that mainly faced the tracks.
The depot is long gone, but a red caboose now sits at that location.
Bell Buckle's stores are now mainly filled with antiques and collectibles. One old store is well-known for its ice cream cones and another has crowds lined up for its delicious food.
The Webb School still operates at the edge of town past the historic homes.