This Small Town In Tennessee Is Peak Southern Vibes
By Meghan Kraft|Published February 05, 2022
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
The small town of Winchester, Tennessee is tucked away in Franklin County, just a stone’s throw from the larger city of Tullahoma. Located in the southern region of the state, Winchester serves as the county seat of Franklin County and is the home to 8,578 full-time residents according to a 2018 census. Established in 1810 and incorporated in 1821, the town has recently celebrated its 200th birthday here in the Volunteer State. The community is tightly knit and the downtown area is truly a dream, so we’d recommend you visit this beautifully historic locale as soon as you can! There’s nowhere else quite like it in Tennessee.
The history of the American South is long and meandering, but Winchester has an easy, cut-and-dry beginning. Created as the seat of justice of Franklin County, the town was named for James Winchester. He served as a soldier in the American Revolution and was the eventual first Speaker of the Tennessee Legislature. Winchester went on to serve as a brigadier general in the War of 1812.
Though small, Winchester was the home of four Tennessee governors, and it remains one of the cutest towns in the state. The downtown square is notably quaint and beautifully adorned during the holiday season, and the smattering of antique shops and eateries make it a prime spot to spend a Saturday.
Here you can see the Franklin County Courthouse, also located in Winchester. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a pinnacle to the town’s earliest beginnings since Winchester was originally founded to serve as the county’s seat of justice in 1809.
If you’re looking for places to eat, Walnut Hill Coffee Shop (pictured) is an airy, upscale coffee shop that features plenty of working room as well as caffeinated drinks and treats. The Back Porch is a mom-and-pop hangout that serves up a solid lunchtime platter, and Piezan Pizzeria Italiano is a great place to visit if you’re looking for pizza or pasta.
Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted on the street by the locals! Winchester is known for its kind citizens, which makes it a great place to visit no matter the time of year. Go shopping at Meshed, a boutique shop that has darling furniture and décor, or maybe head to The Sole Shop on High Street if you’re looking for unique gift ideas.
The Oldham Theatre in Winchester was established in September of 1950 and continues to show movies to this day. The historic theatre has two screens, and this vintage locale is both adult and kid-friendly. Make sure you check out its current offerings right here on the Oldham Theatre website!
Winchester is both beautiful and historic, a place to raise a family and a place to take a vacation. Wandering downtown is a great way to spend the weekend, or perhaps look up an Airbnb in the area to stay at the nearby Tims Ford Lake. It’s potentially one of the truest "Southern" towns in Tennessee, full of character and charm.
If you haven’t been to Winchester, Tennessee just yet then we’d recommend booking a lake house come the summertime. Wander the downtown streets and perhaps enjoy a meal with your nearest and dearest on the square. Learn more about Winchester either at its official website or Facebook page.
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