Bruceton, Hollow Rock, and a Visit By Tocqueville

Above is a picture of the old roundhouse that is still located in Bruceton, Tennessee

A more recent picture of the same roundhouse.

On September 18, 2024, Mr. Buddy Smothers provided a presentation on the history of Bruceton, Hollow Rock, and the railroad that still runs through both towns. Buddy Smothers is a retired high school history teacher and he taught for 34 years. He was also a local radio sports personality for 34 years.

Buddy Smothers began his talk speaking about Alexis Tocqueville’s visit to the Bruceton and Hollow Rock area in 1831. Tocqueville and his traveling mate, Gustave de Beaumont, spent 4 days in an inn at Sandy Bridge, which later became Hollow Rock. Tocqueville was recovering from an illness at the time.

It was stated that McLemoresville and Buena Vista, two local areas, are the two oldest areas in Tennessee. Hollow Rock was incorporated in 1869.

The town of Hollow Rock was named for this rock formation in 1867, when a telegraph office and train station were established.

In the late 1800’s, the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railroad System operated in Hollow Rock. Hollow Rock was the only place where four lines of the railroad intersected with one another. In the 1890’s, the railroad moved their location and created the town of Junction City. Junction City later became Bruceton.

The Hollow Rock-Bruceton Special School District was formed in 1927. Prior to 1927, the only other high school in the area was in Hollow Rock. The Hollow Rock High School was in operation from 1914 to 1927.

Above is an older picture of the high school.

The railroad was integral to the development of the Bruceton and Hollow Rock area. Other businesses that have been important in the development of the local economy was H.I.S., which left the area in 2000. The railroad depot still remains in Bruceton today.

For a more in depth look at this presentation, see the Carroll County News-Leader, Wednesday September 25, 2024 by Jesse Joseph.