Historic Downtown Pulaski Walking Tour
Description
Created by the Giles County Historical Society
In 1862, the south side of the square burned, all except the far southeast corner. Another fire swept the block in 1878, burning all of the buildings on the south side except the east and west corners. Many more fires came to this side of the square, but the southeast corner survived them all!(see below for additional information)
The Sam Davis Monument was erected in 1906 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The early 1900s saw the arrival of hundreds of Confederate monuments such as this one in communities across the south, as a post-war generation led by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans sought to memorialize the Civil War service of their parents and grandparents in the Confederate Army.(see below for additional information)
Antoinette Hall was a theater built shortly after the Civil War. It provided a place for both amusement and community gatherings and became an integral part of Pulaski's culture.(see below for additional information)
The East side of Pulaski's square has long been home to thriving businesses and community institutions. The Antoinette Hall Opera House has been the centerpiece of this block since its erection in 1868. (See contributing entry on Antoinette Hall.) This block was rebuilt in 1868 after a fire destroyed the entire east side of the square.(see below for additional information)
The north side of the Pulaski square has been home to hotels, taverns, pool halls, saddlery and harness shops, buggy shops, clothing and dry good stores, the Hagan Bros. Drug Store, & cafes. This block burned two times, in 1872 & 1885. The several blocks northward between here and the intersection of 1st & 2nd Streets was historically a district with harness shops, buggy shops, and livery stables (to leave your horse while in town, or to rent a horse if needed). After the advent of motor vehicles, many of these businesses converted into auto body, auto repair, & mechanic shops.(see below for additional information)
Pulaski's First United Methodist congregation was founded in 1831. From the 1850s-1890s, they met in a building on N. 2nd Street & Washington Street. After the Methodists built their current red brick church on the northwest corner of the square, they sold their old building to the 2nd Street Church of Christ congregation, who occupies it to this day.(see below for additional information)
The West side of the square includes many historic buildings despite several fires that have impacted the block. The southern corner of the block was known as "Kuhn's Corner". The block historically included Gov John C. Brown's law office, the St. Giles Hotel, the Bannister Hall building, and the Sam Davis Theater. (see below for additional information)
The northwest corner of 2nd street and Madison Street has been vacant since 2001, but was known as Kuhn's corner for over a century. Thomas Martin was an early owner of the lot and had a dry good store there. A later owner was named Kuhn, thus the name. It is also referred to as "Coon's" corner.(see below for additional information)
The Judge Thomas McKissack Jones law office has gained notoriety as the founding site of the hate group the Ku Klux Klan. This cream-colored brick building with dark red trim hosted the founding meeting of the KKK in December of 1865. At other times it has served as law offices for many other local lawyers including Tennessee Governor John C. Brown, and as the site of the first Giles County Museum, organized by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.(see below for additional information)
The current courthouse, completed in 1909, is the fifth to sit at this location. A courthouse has sat at this location since 1811, with two of the five courthouses succumbing to fire. The interior of the current courthouse features lovely details and an operational bell in the cupola.The surrounding commercial district is comprised of buildings dating from the 1860s to the 1930s, exhibiting a range of architectural styles.(see below for additional information)