Historic Sites
Historic Courthouse Square
The Historic Courthouse Square has made shopping fun and easy with pedestrian walkways, streetlights and crosswalks. Enjoy browsing through a varity of unique stores that have made the historic square their choice location. While on the square, you may appreciate a visit to the Arcade Building to observe the beautiful stained glass panels on the ceiling of what was the first enclosed shopping mall of its kind in Cookeville.
Directions:
Take exit 286 off I-40 and travel north on Jefferson Ave.
Historic Residential District
The City of Cookeville’s first Historic Residential District, the North Dixie Avenue Historic District, was identified by the city and designated by the state in 2001. This District consists of the residences along North Dixie Avenue from Freeze Street north to East 7th Street. This street is a catalog of 20th Century architecture, including Queen Anne, Neo-Classical, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Bungalow. All the houses were originally built before World War II and are excellent examples of most of the architectural designs used before the war. Much of this historic district was first established from the early settlers that founded Dixie College (1909) and Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (1916), which is now known as Tennessee Tech University.
Directions:
Take exit 286 off of I-40, travel north on Jefferson Ave. to Broad St. Turn left, then take the first right onto Dixie Ave.
Cookeville History Museum
This museum features an enormous collection of items, artifacts, photographs, special exhibits, and more covering the history of Cookeville from prehistoric times through the present. The Museum will re-open April 10, 2007 at 40 East Broad Street across from City Hall in the former Respiratory Home Care, Inc. building. Exit 287 0r 286 off of I-40. 931-520-5455 or http://ls.cookeville-tn.org/historymuseum.htm
Historic Westside
Historic Westside is a wonderful collection of specialty shops, local restaurants, antique stores, eateries and more, all within walking distance of the Cookeville Depot Museum, Cookeville Drama Center, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Farmers Market, Cookeville Regional Medical Center and Tennessee Tech University. As you make your way through the Westside district, take time to appreciate the storefronts and internal structures of this historic district since a great deal of revitalization efforts have restored many Westside buildings.Exit 286 or 287 off of I-40. For more information, call CityScape at 931-528-4612 or www.cookevillecityscape.com/index.htm
Our Protectors Mural
The Leadership Putnam Class of 2002 coordinated a Quality of Life project that honors local and national law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMT and military personnel. After the events of September 11, 2001, many citizens within the community wanted to show their support for our local protectors, the protectors that put their lives at risk everyday. This mural was painted by a local artist and is located on the corner of Cedar Street and West Broad Street. You too can show your respect as you walk the Westside and view this larger than life collage. Exit 286 or 287 off of I-40.
Cookeville Depot Museum
Built in 1909, the Cookeville Depot is now home to the Cookeville Depot Museum. Visitors can view railway artifacts, memorabilia, numerous photographs of the railroad in Putnam County over the years, scale trains that run, an authentic 1913 Baldwin steam locomotive, and two cabooses. It’s open year-round, and admission is free. Exit 286 or 287 off of I-40. 931-528-8570 or
http://ls.cookeville-tn.org/depotmuseum.html
Historic Post Office
The Cookeville Post Office was built in 1916 as the original Post Office for the Cookeville area. It was built in the Italiante style, offers full services, and houses the Federal Court. 931-526-3435
Standing Stone Monument
Monterey was once the pioneer settlement “Standing Stone,”so named for a large boulder on the historic Walton Road nearby. The Standing Stone was a 13-foot-tall rock that once stood upright on a sandstone ledge in the area. It was the legendary boundary between Cherokee and Shawnee territory and marked the Cherokee Tallonteeskee Trail. The 8-foot remnant of this stone is preserved in Monterey, where a Standing Stone Celebration of Native American Heritage is held each October.
Exit 300 off of I-40.
Cookeville Arts Council
Funded by a combination of private sector and city money, this coalition of local arts organizations provides more than $12,000 in grant money each year to local arts-related projects. Donors can choose from several membership levels, including individual, family and corporate. For more information, call Randy Guidry at 931-526-3752
Russell Stover Candies Factory & Outlet Store
Come take a ride on Chocolate Drive-literally! Founded in 1923 as "Mrs. Stover's Bungalow Candies," Russell Stover Candies today operates modern factories across the U.S. The outlet store in Cookeville offers a tantalizing selection of the finest chocolates made right here. Easily accessible from Highway 111 or I-40. 931-526-8424 or http://www.russellstover.com
Bee Rock
On the private property of The Garden Inn, a luxury bed & breakfast in
Monterey, it offers a spectacular overlook of the Calfkiller River and Stamps Hollow.
Legend has it that Indians gathered honey from hives underneath the cliff. Open to the
public during daylight hours only. Take exit 300 off of I-40. 931-839-1400 or www.thegardeninnbb.com
