by Granville Museum (Author), Inc Granville Museum (Author)
Resting on the Cumberland River in north-central Tennessee, this riverboat town was settled in the early 1800s by Scotch-Irish Presbyterian descendants from Granville County, North Carolina. First called Beach Hill, the town was renamed Granville when it was incorporated in 1837. The area's rich bottom land attracted farmers, and the river contributed to the community's rapid growth as an agricultural center. Farmers and their slaves brought tobacco, livestock, and lumber to market. As waterway commerce increased, Granville became a riverboat town with numerous warehouses. The town catered to the riverboat workers and passengers with a hotel, saloon, general stores, blacksmith shop, post office, bank, gristmill, pharmacy, funeral home, barber shop, and doctors' offices. The community's proximity to the river has made it appealing to many people throughout the years, including Gen. George Patton, who utilized the area during World War II for training and maneuvers.