Is Blue building endangered?

Is the Franklin P. Blue building endangered after standing since 1871? Locally, the answer to the question will differ depending on who is asked. Helping answer that question will be the Tennessee Preservation Trust. On Friday, the organization will announce its 2008 ‘Ten in Tennessee’ endangered sites list during its annual conference in Nashville. Thanks to a local nomination, the city’s last municipal building could be on the list. ‘The idea came from Tara Mielnik,’ said Rachel Killebrew. Mielnik, of the Metropolitan Historical Commission, took a special interest in the building’s future and has been working closely with Killebrew in an effort to preserve it. After being told of the list and pointed in the right direction, Killebrew made the nomination. Also sent with the nomination were three articles the Southern Standard published, a petition generated months ago and recently taken photos. The organization annually seeks nomination from the public for the ‘Ten in Tennessee,’ a roster of some of the state’s most endangered historic sites. Begun in 2001, this successful program highlights 10 endangered places across the state to help garner support for saving threatened historic resources. Of the sites placed on the program, only three have been lost. If chosen as one of the top 10, a picture of the structure and a description of its current status will be added to the organization’s Web site. Updates will be added periodically. Currently, the city is in the process of getting an appraisal on the property. After that figure has been received, the property could be placed on the market. National exposure given to the building by the list may find a renovator and new owner. ‘That is my goal,’ said Killebrew. ‘Through the contacts and publicity, we will find the right buyer for the building and make it an important part of our community.’ Making the list in 2007 was the largest remaining tract associated with the Nov. 29, 1864 Battle of Spring Hill, the critical precursor to the Battle of Franklin. In 2007, General Motors Corporation announced it its intention to sell the land for development. Also making the list: ‘ Natchez Trace Parkway Corridor in Davidson, Williamson, Maury, Hickman, Lewis, Lawrence and Wayne counties – One of the nation’s premier scenic roads. ‘ Rural Mount in Hamblen County – The house was reputedly built in 1799 by Alexander Outlaw for his son-in-law Joseph Hamilton. Both of these men were instrumental in founding the State of Franklin and later the State of Tennessee. ‘ James Brown House in Hamilton County – Built circa 1836 and is significant for its association with the Cherokee Nation, the Trail of Tears and for its unique architecture. ‘ Franklin Cinema in Williamson County – Opened on July 15, 1937 in the midst of the Great Depression. It was the first building with air conditioning in the county. ‘ Mount Zion CME Church in Obion County – This circa 1896 African-American church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. ‘ Ragland Court Subdivision in Rutherford County – The first houses date back to the early 1930s. Many of the structures are in the Tudor Revival variant of the Bungalow style. ‘ Dandridge Historic District in Jefferson County – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is significant for its architecture, engineering and transportation themes and serves as a historic government and commercial center. ‘ Taylor Home at Sabine Hill in Carter County – Built prior to 1820 by the widow of General Nathaniel G. Taylor. Both were great-grandparents to Robert L. Taylor and Alfred Taylor, best known for running against each other for governor in the ‘War of the Roses.’ ‘ Morrison College in Hamblen County – Important for its associations with African American collegiate education in East Tennessee. Constructed on the site of a former slave market, and following the Civil War, the building was used to teach freedmen reading, writing and arithmetic. By law, these subjects were restricted to them prior to the war. For more information about TPT and to view the list of endangered sites from 2001, log onto www.tennesseepreservationtrust.com.