2007 Tennessee Conference of Historians: Local Attactions

Local Attractions

Casey Jones Village
In April 1900, a brave railroad engineer named John Luther “Casey” Jones sacrificed his life for those of his passengers in the now legendary train wreck just outside Vaughn, Mississippi. Today, Casey Jones Village -- one of Tennessee's top ten tourist attractions -- celebrates the life and times of Jackson's favorite son. Within the Village, visitors can relive the “Steam Age” of railroading by touring the Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum, featuring the restored home of the engineer himself, as well as a life-size replica of Casey's 382 locomotive. Just across the Village grounds, The Old Country Store preserves the atmosphere of an early 1900's general store with a 6,000 square foot gift, confectionery, and souvenir shop that features more than 15,000 antiques on display, an authentic 1890's Ice Cream Parlor and Soda Shoppe as well as a 500-seat restaurant.

Just off I-40 at Exit 80-A, Jackson
Open : 7 days a week (except Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving)
Admission : Small admission fee for Casey Jones Home/Museum
56 Casey Jones Lane, Jackson
(731) 668-1223/1-800-748-9588

N. C. & St L. Depot & Railroad Museum
Visit the place where railroad history was made. A place where politicians gave ‘whistle stop’ campaign speeches and Jackson’s hometown heroes left for war. The Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway Depot, built in 1907, was designed to complement nearby Lancaster Park with its beautiful gardens, mineral wells, baseball park, and fairgrounds. The City of Jackson restored the Depot into a museum as a lasting tribute to the impact of the railroads on the growth of Jackson and Madison County, and it is listed on the national Register of Historic Places.

582 South Royal Street
Jackson, Tennessee 38301
(731) 425-8223
Hours: 10 A.M. - 3 P.M., Monday – Saturday
Free Admission/Group Tours Welcome

Pinson Mounds
Pinson Mounds is the largest Middle Woodland period mound group in the United States, and dates to about 1-500 A.D. The Native Americans that built the mounds lived long before historically known Native American tribes, and used the site for ceremonial purposes. The largest mounds were used for various ceremonies, while a few of the smaller mounds, as well as the Twin Mounds, held burials. A number of cremation and activity areas have been found nearby. The Pinson Mounds grouping consists of at least 15 earthen mounds, a geometric enclosure, habitation areas and related earthworks in an area that incorporates almost 1,200 acres. Pinson Mounds is a national historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park features a museum designed to replicate a Native American mound. It includes 4,500 square feet of exhibit space, an archaeological library, an 80-seat theater and 'Discovery Room' for historical exploration, park offices and the West Tennessee Regional Archaeology Office.

Saturday, Sept. 15th and Sunday, Sept. 16th, 2007
Archaeofest, a celebration of Native American culture and archaeology. Enjoy a wide range of craft demonstrations to include pottery, basketry, leatherwork, flintknapping and chipping, and jewelry making. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy the Native American story telling sessions.

Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday
Museum: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sunday 1-5
Park trails and picnic shelter are open until dark.

Local Attractions

More Attractions