The 231-Year-Old Treasure
On Wilkinsville Road, in Millington, Tennessee, there is a cheery house that has been sitting there for 116 years. Sage green with brick red trim and dark green shutters, the house is well situated on a three-acre lot. Ginger and Tommy Whitlock, the current owners, have lived there since 1981 and tell us that “it is their little piece of country in the city.”
The Whitlock House and the land it occupies has a long history compared to all the new building and development in Millington. Back in the 18th century, Congress, states, and towns enticed young men to join the army with bounties offered upon enlistment and could be a single payment of money or a grant of land. The possibility that the government granted Samuel Harris the land in 1788 for his enlistment is high because the first listing on the Land Grant is, “June 10, 1788: State of North Carolina to Harris, Samuel,” and goes on to detail every person who owned the property until November 6, 1981, when Ginger and Tommy purchased it. The Whitlock’s came into possession of the Land Grant when they got the house. The previous owner gathered all the information and Ginger had it redrawn in calligraphy and framed.
Since the Whitlock purchase, the house has changed in different ways, “when we first moved in both of our daughters and a granddaughter were living with us." Upon moving in, the Whitlocks began restoring the home. When they removed the flooring, they discovered the original floor and refurbished it to its former glory throughout the house. The trim, mantels, and built-in niches are all made with knotless cherrywood, with the exception of the kitchen. The house features 4 to 5 fireplaces downstairs as well as radiators. Though the house has central heating and air, Ginger prefers the house's boiler system, "I never let my husband turn on the heat, I like the radiator heat." The water travels up to the radiator heaters that line the edges of the rooms and keep the house warm in the cooler months without creating and blowing dust about as central heat does. “It means we don’t have to dust as much for sure!”
As you enter the front door and go into the living room, you’ll find many interesting antiques. The first thing that you’ll catch is the Victrola record player, but with a quick glance to the right, you’ll see the antique organ with a Cuckoo clock hanging beside it on the wall, all family antiques. The history of the property and the house can also be found in the living room. On the wall, to the side of the door, facing the rest of the living room hangs the framed Land Grant. This grant details all the former owners of the Whitlock’s property.
When touring the house Ginger admitted, “We did break down and re-do the kitchen.” The gorgeous cabinets were painted to look more old fashioned, “We wanted to keep it light.” There is also a small add-on to the back of the house. When exiting the kitchen the hall continues into the back of the house. A few short steps, lead to the last room until the backyard. The windows that line the walls overlook their spacious backyard and a beautiful bay window lets the lights stream in while it overlooks their pool and outdoor living area.
A small staircase in the hall leads to the upstairs. Family photographs line the entrance: pictures of the Whitlock’s daughters, grandchildren, and Ginger’s grandparents are all proudly showcased. At the top of the stairs are two bedrooms and a bathroom. The downstairs bedroom shares a wall with the hallway. In that bedroom, there is beautiful wallpaper similar to what you would see in Presidential Estates. The attached bathroom contains a bathtub Ginger believes is from the 1930 remodel, “It’s something that probably came in when they added things like the telephone niche in the hallway.”
There have been several tours of the house since the Whitlocks have owned it. It was featured in the Tennessee Homecoming of 86’ where seven homes were available to tour. The house was built the same year that the City of Millington was founded, so it was also a part of the centennial celebrations in 2003. They also did a big Christmas home tour one year, “We’ve always participated when things happen in the city. John Tanner held a political rally in our front yard.” Tanner was a congressman from 1989 to 2011 and used the house as a backdrop for one of his political rallies. One of Ginger and Tommy’s daughters married at the nearby Methodist church and held her reception under the massive oaks of the front yard. Ginger reminisced, “we’ve enjoyed entertaining friends and family for a lot of years, this has been a very happy home.”
The outbuildings in the backyard of the Whitlock House all have their own stories too. The building at the end of the driveway was a buggy house in its day; the doors just large enough for a horse and buggy. Toward the back of the yard, nestled in the trees, is a barn and another small building known as the Poker House. This outbuilding came by its reputation in 1946 when Ed Cole Harold owned the Whitlock’s home. He was a prominent landowner in Millington during that time. Ginger explained, “The men in town would meet back there to play cards and poker. When we first moved here, we had a garden and every time we’d til we would dig up a bottle or some broken glass.” Ginger also talked about the last outbuilding, “it was built for his sister-in-law to occupy, I think that’s what somebody told us. When we moved in, we redid it and now the Pool House gives us a gathering place for all. In the summertime, grandchildren can swim, ride gators, relax in this casual atmosphere, and they are always eager to join us.”
When you ask the owners about the house Ginger will tell you that, “Well it’s original to its time, you know?” She loves living in her very own piece of history and wants to make sure its taken care of when the Whitlock family leaves. Here’s to another 116 years for the Whitlock house and another 231 years for the property!
