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John Woodard’s home took a full three years to construct. The Second Empire style structure, completed in 1867, is two-stories high with a four-story tower. The second story is reached by a circular walnut staircase centered in the entrance hall. The entrance to the tower stairway is located in a small upstairs room. It is said that from this vantage point you can see about ten miles in all directions. The mansard-roofed tower is accented by three circular windows and carved wooden brackets. The round-headed windows and doors are typical of this style house. The Woodard home, like so many in this area, was constructed from materials on the farm. The clay bricks were made on Sulphur Fork Creek, which flows near the house, and the wood was cut from trees on the farm. According to family legend, some of the interior painting was done by traveling French painters who spoke very little English. John Woodard was a distinguished politician and businessman. Born on July 3, 1825, he was the son of Thomas, Jr. and Winifred House Woodard and was the grandson of Thomas Woodard, an early Tennessee settler. He served in the House of Representatives in the Thirty-third, Thirty-fifth, and Forty-second General Assemblies. He was a county judge for many years and served on the committee which supervised the construction of the present courthouse. In 1872, John Woodard served as president of the Springfield National Bank. He also owned the Springfield Hotel. On his 308-acre estate, he operated the Silver Springs Distillery. There were about 75 distilleries operating in the county at this time and Woodard’s was the second largest. In 1881, Woodard moved from Robertson County to Nashville, where he continued his business endeavors. He entered the grocery business and pursued this enterprise until his retirement in 1893. While in Nashville he also served as director of the American National Bank. On May 14, 1903, John Woodard died at his country home, BETHEL PLACE, near Columbia; he was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. John Woodard retained ownership of THE BEECHES until 1889, when he presented it as a wedding gift to his son, Albert G. Woodard. The beautiful old mansion, located on Highway 49, remained in the family until 1938 when it was bought by J.W. Helm. Subsequent owners have tastefully preserved the historic house - including retaining the hand painted ceilings and the small staircase which leads from the master bedroom to the upstairs. According to tradition, this stairway had to be used by the children when they returned home so their parents would know what time they returned. The original flooring is present upstairs and in the tower. The original flooring is present downstairs in the parlor and dining room. The grand hallway and master suite have had hardwood flooring installed over the original floors. Original doors, hardware, windows, and transoms add to the historic character of the house. The original plaster is surprisingly intact throughout and the house is unusually plumb and level. The solid foundation upon which the house is built has stood the test of time with virtually no settling or cracking. The smokehouse and brick servant’s quarters - now the guest house - also remain intact and in good condition. The tall beech trees-for which John Woodard named his house-still stand, enhancing its beauty and sheltering it from the modernization of the twentieth century. Magnolias and mature maples add to the gracious feel of this beautiful estate. THE BEECHES is owned by Kerry and Dianne Roberts. Excerpts taken from the book “Robertson County’s Heritage of Homes” by Deborah Kelley Henderson and Jean McClanahan Durrett and is used only for the purpose of review. The book is available for sale at the Robertson County Museum in Springfield, Tennessee. "As for me and
my house, we will serve the Lord."
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