On a recent trip through central Tennessee, my wife and I happened upon the quaint little town of Granville. As is true of so many small towns, Granville has two things we enjoy: an interesting history and a bed-and-breakfast.
Unbeknownst to us when we decided to stay overnight, Granville was founded in the early 1800s by settlers who migrated westward from our new home county—Granville, NC. At one time an important riverboat town on the Cumberland River, it was bypassed in the early 1900s with the advent of the automobile and highways.
The centerpiece of the town is the Sutton General Store.
Operating into the 1970s, the store is now a curio shop and hosts a dinner and live radio broadcast of bluegrass music on Saturday nights.
Adjacent to the store are the Granville Museum and Methodist Church. With an average attendance of 40, the church is still active and has been serving the community for well over 100 years.
Closer to the river you’ll find a well-preserved home dating back to the Civil War.
Nestled right up against the river but separated from the main street by a large lawn, its large porches and green metal roof evoke a relaxed lifestyle. I imagined sitting on a swing in the cool river breeze on a hot summer day, sipping an ice cold mint julep fortified with a drop or two of TN’s finest.
After wandering around the town for an hour or so, we’d worked up an appetite. Around the corner we found the only game in town—a deli located in the town’s sole gas station, which served us a rather good lunch of juicy burgers and fresh homemade soup.
Our hunger sated, we headed back down the street to the B&B, housed in the old bank building across from the general store.
Built in 1931, the upper floor and rear of the building have been converted into what we would more properly classify as a fishing/hunting base than a conventional B&B. A spacious common room—full kitchen, laundry/mud room, dining area, and fireplace—branches off to large, well-appointed bedrooms with comfy beds and private baths.
The proprietors had set the fireplace, and we were the only guests at the time, so we lit a fire and cozied up in front of the TV for a quiet evening.
If, like us, you enjoy discovering places off the beaten path, Granville is worth a visit. Next time we’ll make sure to allow more time to explore the store and museum, do a little hiking and fishing, and pack in groceries to take advantage of the kitchen.