Cornerstones, Inc., Chattanooga’s only non-profit historic preservation organization, is under contract to purchase Brown’s Tavern. The historic log structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is believed to have been built in 1803, long before the founding of the city of Chattanooga.
John Brown, owner and operator of Brown’s Ferry and Brown’s Tavern, was half Cherokee and actively part of a Cherokee tribe. Brown played an important role in history as Captain in The War of 1812, and as brother-in-law to John Ross, who founded Ross's Landing in 1815.
Ross’s Landing became the start of Chattanooga in 1838. John Brown later joined the Trail of Tears with his family, and returned back to Chattanooga shortly before his death.
The purchase of Brown’s Tavern is Cornerstones, Inc.’s second outright purchase in its 21-year history, and the first outside of downtown’s urban core. “The architectural and historical significance was too important to lose, so Cornerstones consciously stepped outside of downtown to protect this property,” said Ann Gray, executive director of Cornerstones, Inc. “Initially there was a very real threat as to whether this historic, two-story log structure would be saved from demolition. Thankfully it was privately owned and maintained for almost 50 years."
According to Ms. Gray, Cornerstones was successful in putting approximately two acres of the larger 16-acre tract under contract. The closing date is scheduled for Oct. 31. The purchase price was $280,000.
The tract includes the two-story log structure, the caretakers cottage and the detached one-room log structure on the western property line. The tract and the two-story log house are being placed in conservation and preservation easements thereby prohibiting their future development or demolition.
The remainder of the 16-acre tract was purchased by the Brown Brother Construction Company with the intent to develop this open space into a residential subdivision. The firm is in the process of platting this land now. The subdivision road will follow the alignment of the existing driveway - more or less.
Cornerstones, Inc. will place conservation and façade easements on the property to protect it from here on forward. Negotiations are underway to sell the property to a responsible owner who understands its historical significance, and has a background in preservation architecture, officials said. The prospective new owner is willing and able to renovate, restore and maintain it in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. “All structures, especially historic ones, need to be inhabited. The highest and best use for any structure is to have people in them,” said Ms. Gray.
Cornerstones, Inc. was able to recognize the historical and preservational value of Brown’s Tavern. By purchasing the property with their revolving fund, Cornerstones has insured the protection of this nationally significant property. The revolving fund is used to save historical structures and relies heavily on donations. With the outright purchase of Brown’s Tavern, funds have been depleted. Cornerstones, Inc. is asking for contributions to help continue to save Chattanooga’s architectural heritage.
Cornerstones, Inc. is Chattanooga’s only non-profit historical preservation organization and has continually worked with the community to help save and preserve important historical buildings located in Chattanooga. The challenge falls to Cornerstones to keep watch, champion the maintenance and profitable use of historic structures, and when necessary, step in and participate in their preservation and revitalization. Additional information can be found online or by calling 423-265-2825.