The Carter House State Historic Site, located at 1140 Columbia Avenue in Franklin, Tennessee, played a key role in the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. In 1830, Fountain Branch Carter built the one-and-a-half story brick house just south of downtown Franklin.
On November 30, 1864, the Battle of Franklin was being fought on the fields south of town. Before daybreak Federal Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox woke the Carter family, took possession of the house and made the parlor his headquarters. The fighting began at 4 pm when 20,000 Confederate troops attacked a similar number of entrenched Federal soldiers. The Carter family, a neighboring family, and several Carter slaves took refuge in the basement as the battle continued around the house.
Tragically, Fountain Branch Carter’s son Tod, who was serving as an aide to Confederate Brig. Gen. Thomas Benton Smith during the Battle of Franklin, was mortally wounded in the battle. He was shot while leading a desperate charge just southwest of his childhood home. Tod was brought to the house where he died two days later.
Carter House was purchased by the State of Tennessee in 1951 and was opened to the public in 1953. The Battle of Franklin Trust, a 501(c)(3) organization, manages both Carter House and Carnton - two historic sites that witnessed the 1864 Battle of Franklin. The Battle of Franklin Trust and is dedicated to the Carter family and all Americans who fought in this battle. For more info: boft.org.
Click any photo to view larger photos.
Carter House Tours, Contact Info and Location Map
Several types of tours, ranging from 60 to 90 minutes of the house, grounds, outbuildings, and garden are offered.
For more information including tickets, see: boft.org
Phone: 615.791.1861
Carter House1140 Columbia Avenue
Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (click to view a map)
