From Bowman's Hill to Katie Hill

View from Bowman's Hill - Katie Hill today. Google Image 2015

I recently read a blog post about Katie Hill. The writer was very curious about how the name came about. She had researched the spot, found that one of the property developers had a daughter named Katie and wondered if the street was named for her. Property developers sometimes name streets after family members and combined with the other street names it seems to be a high possibility that the Katie in question was the daughter of J. B. Haynie. Haynie used Katie, Lula and Bessie for street names in his Cumberland Heights subdivision. Each name represents someone in his immediate family. The name Katie Hill for the area around Fern Avenue, Katie Avenue and Brick Church Pike is new, used only in the past decade or so.  It is not found in a newspaper search until the 21st century. The hill was known in past years by a different name. From about 1850 it was called Bowman's Hill. After 1900, some referred to it as Allen's Hill. Bowman's Grove was often noted in the newspaper as a gathering place for neighborhood events. Today part of the hill has a neighborhood called Haynie's Grove, and the cedar trees are long gone.

Nashville Union and American, May 29, 1869

Republican Banner June, 24, 1875

Bowman's Grove, Republican Banner, June 24, 1875.

Joseph A. Bowman came to Nashville about 1841. He was born on July 19, 1812, in North Carolina. It is not known what brought him here but a beautiful young woman would entice him to stay. Lucy Caroline White, daughter of General William and Eliza Caroline Wharton White, grew up near Dickerson Road on the estate of her father. We don't know the story of the courtship of the couple. Joseph was a physician. Perhaps he was a friend and colleague of Lucy's brother Dr. William W. White. Joseph and Lucy were married on August 24, 1843. Rev. John W. Ogden performed the ceremony. Ogden was Lucy's stepfather, having married her mother in 1838. General William White died in 1833.

Dr. Bowman and Lucy purchased and settled on property at Dry Creek eight miles out the Dickerson Road, 1844. In 1853, a directory listing shows that Joseph is living and practicing medicine eight miles from Nashville. He had recently bough a tract of land on Dickerson Pike. Though the property fronted on Dickerson it rose upwards and covered a hill that overlooked Brick Church Pike, White's Creek Valley and the Cumberland River.

In the History of the Dickinson Road by L. C. Bell, there is a wonderful description of Dr. Bowman's property.

"To the west of the highway at this point on a lofty hill overlooking the city a handsome home was built by Dr. Joseph A. Bowman many years ago.  The spacious lawn has been subdivided and a number of smaller houses built, but the old residence still stands and the views from its many windows are still strikingly beautiful.  It seems unfortunate that Bowman Hill could not have been made a park where city dwellers might go and feast their tired eyes on the beauty of Nashville with its range of purple hills. The view is one to charm as the city unrolls like a scroll to the observer – to the east a city of homes – to the west the Parthenon, that perfect type of Grecian architecture-Vanderbilt University, - Belle Bennett Memorial, the most beautiful building ever erected to a woman by women-Peabody College - War Belmont College- the church spires point heavenward – the stately capitol crowning all, and the Cumberland River winding its way to the sea." 

Lucy White Bowman died in 1856. Joseph married again in 1864 to America Motheral of Williamson County. She died in 1869. Dr. Bowman lived in his home on Bowman's Hill until his death in 1875. He was survived by a son Joseph M. Bowman, from his second marriage. After Joseph A. Bowman died, his son slowly sold off the property.

Bowman house for rent. Nashville Union and American, April 4, 1875.

Several subdivisions were created up on the hill. Not all of them were on Bowman property. This Plat of the W. G. Bush plan shows the four subdivisions that had been created between 1890 and 1912. Also shown are the J. R. Allen tract and the J. D. Linder tract.

The first subdivision was the Weakley and Dodd Sub of Lot 17 in the Plan of Brooklyn (outlined with green), filed with the Register of Deeds April 25, 1890. The streets in the plan were Highview and Weakley. Only a part of the Cumberland Heights Plan is shown on the above plat.

The second subdivision was the J. B. Haynie Grove Plan (outlined with purple), filed with the Register of Deeds on June 24, 1890. The streets is this plan are Brick Church Pike and Fern Avenue. Only a part of the Cumberland Heights Plan is shown on the above plat.

The third subdivision was the J. B. Haynie Cumberland Heights Plan (outlined with yellow), filed December 18, 1891 with the Register of Deeds The streets on this plan were Katie, Aline, Bessie, Lelia, Lula and Brick Church Pike. Only a part of the Cumberland Heights Plan is shown on the above plat.

The fourth subdivision was the W. G. Bush Tract, (outlined with red), filed with the Register of Deeds on November 11, 1912. The streets in this plan are Highview and Katie.

Weakley and Dodd were in the real estate business. J. B. Haynie and his wife Lula were property developers, buying many tracts of land for subdividing. W. G Bush was a well known businessman. He was involved in brick making and construction, banking and other businesses.

Weakley and Dodd Sub of Lot 17 in the Plan of Brooklyn filed with the Register of Deeds April 25, 1890.

J. B. Haynie Grove Plan, filed with the Register of Deeds on June 24, 1890.

J. B. Haynie Cumberland Heights Plan, filed December 18, 1891 with the Register of Deeds 

J. R. Allen was well known in the neighborhood. He was a county official, a magistrate for the district and had influence and power.  He was called Squire Allen by members of the community. His home was a large frame structure that stood on the hill for many years.

For many years the area on Bowman's Hill was covered with small houses. Many were lived in by working class laborers. The neighborhood was isolated and somewhat hidden from the busy roads that surround it. Today Bowman's Hill has been rediscovered and has a new name, Katie Hill, named for Katie Avenue. New homes have been built. Many are designed to take advantage of the spectacular view.