Yeoman's in the Fork - Leiper's Fork, Tennessee

One of the "newer" businesses in the Leiper's Fork Historic District sells some of the "oldest" items you can find. Yeoman's in the Fork specializes in rare books from America's Colonial period and historic documents signed by our country's founding fathers.

Yeoman's in the Fork is located at 4216 Old Hillsboro Road in a historic building, originally built in 1881, that has been restored on more than one occasion. A fire in the 1930s destroyed part of the front of the building. Later, the house was turned around 180 degrees, the "now" back of the home was rebuilt and in 1949 square pillars saved from a house fire in nearby Franklin were added to the front of the structure.

Today, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Visiting the building and store is like taking a peak back into our rich past. You'll even find old Ben Franklin taking a rest on the front lawn!

The store's motto is "The Small Town Bookshop With Uptown Books"

From their website, www.yeomansinthefork.com:

Just like you, we collect rare books. We know that every title page, deckled edge, and colophon is slightly different, making each book and its journey through time incredibly unique. By collecting and sharing them, we are furthering the spread of knowledge and halting the destruction of these pieces of our past.

Also like you, we are fascinated by history. We have a particular passion for American history, so we specialize in works important to the United States, like the Declaration of Independence and early presidents. These documents can give us detailed insights into the patriots that shaped our country and the revolutionary ideas they brought to life.

Leiper's Fork and Yeoman's in the Fork are located about a mile and a half from the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. Exit the Trace near milepost 428 onto Tennessee Highway 46 and go east. Turn left at the "T" and Yeoman's in the Fork will be up ahead on the left. Within a short walk you will also find restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and a lawnchair theater in historic Leiper's Fork.

Yeoman's in the Fork
4216 Old Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37064
615.983.6463
Mike Cotter, Director of Operations
www.yeomansinthefork.com

Natchez Trace Parkway trip with Mom and Dad - Day 3

Day 3 - Collinwood, TN back to Nashville

On Friday morning we went to the Dragonfly - an Emporium in Collinwood for a quick breakfast. I had a peach smoothie and mom and dad drank hot chocolate and we shared a couple of muffins. David Harrison, the owner, showed us some of the arts and crafts items made by local artisans.

The Dragonfly is located next to the Wayne County Welcome Center in Collinwood, only 150 yards from the Trace.

We went back to Miss Monetta's Country Cottage and packed up our belongings and headed north on the Trace. We planned on stopping at a few of the areas that we didn't have time to visit on the way down on Day 1 of the trip.

Our first stop was at the Metal Ford / Buffalo River area at milepost 382. If you need to stretch your legs this is a great place to stop. The nature walk that takes you along the river and through an old mill run is absolutely beautiful.

Hard to imagine the old "Kaintucks" fording their way across the swift moving waters. But they did in order to make their way back home.

Our next stop was at the Tobacco Barn / Old Trace Drive area at milepost 401. Mom and Dad checked out the Tobacco Barn and talked to some other travelers while I made some phone calls.

Tobacco cut from the small tobacco field next to the barn was hanging to dry in the barn rafters.

Behind the tobacco barn there is an opening in the trees that reveals a breathtaking view of the valley below. Also behind the tobacco barn is the beginning of a two-mile section of the Old Trace that has been graded, just enough, to be a one-way road for cars. The Old Trace Drive takes you north and then exits back out onto the parkway. The drive takes you through dense forest and a few glimpses down into the valley that lies to the east.

We made a "pit stop" at Garrison Creek at milepost 427.  The park service maintains bathroom facilities spaced out along the parkway every 20 miles or so.

Garrison Creek is the northern trailhead of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. The 24 mile hiking and horse trail parallels the parkway and Old Trace from here to the southern trailhead near the intersection of the parkway and Tennessee Highway 50. Just as we were about to leave a couple on horseback rode past us and onto the trail.

Just north of Garrison Creek we pulled off the Trace onto Tennessee Highway 46 and headed into the historic village of Leiper's Fork for lunch and a little shopping.

There are three restaurants in Leiper's Fork: Puckett's Grocery, the Twisted Fork Cafe and Country Boy. We dined at Puckett's Grocery. Puckett's is a small grocery store, restaurant and music venue. All three restaurants are worth the drive.

Of course, there is more to Leiper's Fork than just a bunch of good restaurants. There are several stores and shops housed in historic buildings all along the same little stretch of road as the restaurants. You can park your car and easily walk from one place to the next. Here are  mom and dad in one of the antique stores.

Leiper's Fork is a short 15 miles down the Trace from the northern terminus. This would be our last stop on our three day tour of the northern half of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Once off the Trace and a few more miles we were driving on I-40. What a difference.