"The Watauga House"

The "Watauga House" on Polk Place in Nashville has a story to tell.  I was fortunate to be able to visit one of the condos during the "Downtown Home Tour 2014"; below is what I found out about the building.

1847 - James K. Polk purchases "Polk Place", former home of Felix Grundy. He Occupies the home in 1849. He will die later that year from cholera and will be buried on the property.

1891 - Mrs. Polk dies in the house.

1893 - Polk tomb moved to the Capital grounds.

1900 - "Polk Place" purchased by J. Craig McClanahan



WET BAR

1903 - McClanahan donated the city a $12,000 lot where the Carnegie library now stands. He built two large modern apartment houses on the property - "Polk Flats and the Watauga".

1905 - McClanahan dies in Philadelphia leaving "Watauga" in trust for his daughter and wife.

 
 
 

1919 - Building was rented by YMCA - 164 single female residents lived in the building according to the 1920 census. (August 24, 1920 - Tennessee became the perfect 36) The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was ratified.




1946 - "Polk Flats" was sold and demolished, converted into a parking
 lot.

1946 - 1980 - Continued as an apartment building.

1984 - Renovated for luxury condos.

1986 - Converted to a "Boutique Hotel" - many state legislators stayed during the legislative session each year.

1991 - Converted back to apartments.

2006 - Sold as condos.

2014 - Now celebrating 110 years as one of Nashville's first oldest apartment building. 

The condo that Robin and I were able to see had a wet bar, kitchen, an office, a sitting area and a master bedroom.  The owners had two condos put together to get the room they needed.  Probably not an inexpensive thing.

I was mesmerized by the amazing artwork that they had on the wall!