5 Historic Homes on Madison

Michael Carr Northington House 512 Madison Former Clarksville Mayor, Michael Carr Northington built the Victorian mansion in 1886, and in 1925, Oscar and Irene Beach purchased the home and raised their three children at the residence. Oscar operated Pan American Oil Co., now Beach Oil Company, and Irene was a nurse at the hospital next door to their home. Their son, William Oscar Beach, became a judge in Clarksville and started Beachaven Winery, with his daughter Louisa.

Bellefield O. Keese House 502 Madison Bellefield O. Keese was an exceptionally talented man with very little education. Bank President, businessman and tobacconist, Keese was a self-made man. In 1852 he married Cornelia Peacher, who was the daughter of famed mill owner, Pete Peacher. Prospering in the tobacco business, Keese later became president of the Montgomery Savings Institution. Cumberland Bank & Trust currently resides in this location and has fully restored the building, even restoring the 12,000-pound font tower.

Russell Eason Hart, who also built the Mayors Mansion in Nashville, designed this Tuscan style home for Joseph Phillips Dunlop. Dunlop co-owned Dunlop Mills on 1138 Franklin St with his brother. During World War I, Dunlop served as a first lieutenant in the Army’s field artillery. Later, the home was purchased by Jack Miller and his wife Mary Louise Perkins; together they started Perkins and Miller which was in business for over 60 years. The home was also featured in Robert Penn Warren’s novel, At Heaven’s Gate.

Built in the late 1800’s, Horace Lurton was a US Supreme Court Justice. While staying at the residence during the Civil War, Father Abram Joseph Ryan famously penned the poem “The Conquered Banner.” In 1885, John Hurst, a local grocer and businessman, purchased the home and his daughter, Sally, married Austin Peay. John Hurt’s initials are still present in the iron gates. Clarence Saunders, founder of the Piggly Wiggly, was once a salesman for Hurst.

Originally built in 1868, the home was once owned by Johnson who served as Tennessee State Representative from 1829-1845. He was appointed to Postmaster General by then US President James K Polk, and later introduced the self-adhesive stamp. Additionally, Johnson was a state court judge in 1850, and president of the Bank of Tennessee from 1854 – 1860. Lastly, Johnson was attributed with saving Clarksville from Union troops during the Civil War because of his political ties and friendship.Johnson is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.