View from Bowman's Hill - Katie Hill today. Google Image 2015 |
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.
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.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.
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 |
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.
Wow this is wonderful! thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. Thanks!
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