Lauderdale County AL Genealogy Trails

POPE'S TAVERN
Photo and Information from Sandra Hughes

Pope's Tavern was built in 1811 and is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, Al. Located on a military road where the Natchez Trace connected Nashville, Tn to New Orleans, LA. It was first used as a stagecoach stop, tavern and Inn for weary travelers. Andrew Jackson stopped overnight when he was in route to the Battle of New Orleans. During the Civil War it served as a hospital for the wounded both the Union and Confederate soldiers. The wounded soldiers were brought here from the battle of Franklin, and the battle of Shilo, Tn. It was owed by the Lambeth family until 1965, when the city of Florence purchased it. It now houses beautiful antiques, artifacts from the 18th and 19 th centuries. The upstairs were the wounded soldiers were housed is now housed with artifacts from the Civil War. Uniforms, Guns, etc.
Jackson's Miliary road
Built by Andrew Jackson. 1816-1820
Shortened by 200 miles the route from Nashville to New Orleans for movement of supply wagons and artillery. Built with US funds and troops. Followed in part Doublehead's road from Columbia, Tn to Muscle Shoals. After 1819 mail route was transferred from Natchez Trace to Pass through Florence Via Military Road. A portion of Hood's army followed the road to Franklin and Nashville in 1864. In later years called Jackson Highway.

Additional Information on Pope' Tavern
Notes from Rev. David E. Gregg Pastor Florence Blv. Baptist Church
Vice President of the Tennessee Valley Historical Association
There has been much written concerning the history of Pope's Tavern that is not true. I am not writing this to be critical, I think you are doing a trmendous job. I have gone on the tour to Pope's Tavern many times and each time I hear these same stories. Here is what I do know:
1) "Pope's Tavern was built in 1811 and is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, Al." - The building called Pope's Tavern was built no earlier than 1820 to 1830s. There were some people who did some aging research on the building that dated it later.
2) "Located on a military road where the Natchez Trace connected Nashville, Tn to New Orleans, LA." The military road was 200 miles shorter than the Natchez Trace. Not sure why the sentence was written.
3) "It was first used as a stagecoach stop, tavern and Inn for weary travelers." - So far I have not found any original source for this.
4) "Andrew Jackson stopped overnight when he was in route to the Battle of New Orleans." There is no evidence that Jackson stayed in this house on his way to New Orleans. He definitely did not stay in the present building.
5) "During the Civil War it served as a hospital for the wounded both the Union and Confederate soldiers." - If it was used as a hospital again there is no original source information for this. If it was used as a hospital it was only one of several that was used for this purpose. There would have been much better places in town.
6) "The wounded soldiers were brought here from the battle of Franklin, and the battle of Shiloh, Tn." The wounded Confederate soldiers from the battle of Franklin were treated in Franklin and Spring Hill, since Hood's army moved on to Nashville. After the battle of Nashville, Hoods's army came through Lauderdale County, Mrs. Weakley stated in his journal that they took the wounded to Dr. Todd's house, which is now called Mapleton. After the battle of Shiloh, the wounded Confederate soldiers were taken to Corinth. Interestingly, Bill McDonald wrote that the Old Elliott Hotel and the Fant Woolen Mill were used as hospitals. Another building used was located on the corner of Hawthorne and Meridian Streets.
I hope this helps. I am working on an update history on the building known as Pope's Tavern and I will share it with you when I'm finished