Author Unknown
The Pinewood Mansion was built 1866-1868 at a cost of $32,000. The house was built by Samuel Graham, who left North Carolina in 1832 and eventually settled in Hickman County. The architect was Carter Thurman of Nashville, TN. The plantation was established as a mill site in 1848. During the Civil War the site was subject to Confederate and Union raids. Italian craftsmen carved the molds for the lavish plaster work. The bathroom had sun heated water. The tub was copper, the basin was marble, the faucets were silver. The beautiful winding staircase was hand carved of Cuban Mahogany. The walls were 18 inches thick.
In 1967 the farm was divided into tracts. Dr. Mac Wayne Craig bought the mansion and 40 acres. He restored it and filled it with antiques. In 1971 Pinewood mansion was added to the roster of the National registry of Historic places. He bought Lyles depot, moved it to Pinewood and filled it with antiques. In March, 1975, a fire started in the kitchen of the mansion. The hose was frozen. The rescue squad couldn’t come quickly because of a flood over 100 Highway. It burned down in 1975. Photograph Credit: Tennessee Virtual Archive.
It is wonderful that this home is still remembered. My mother, Mary Graham, grew up in this beautiful home. I will be visiting it soon to bring back great memories.
Hello Tom –
I am Betsy Candler (Beth Denny Candler) who edited the book The Grahams of Pinewood that my grandfather John M. Graham wrote many years ago. I still have a number of books left to sell and am looking for an outlet for them. $20 plus shipping for each. Do you have any contacts up there who might be interested?
I’m sure I met you years ago at the Pinewood reunion that your mother put together.
Betsy
Tom , was your mother related to a family named Holland ?
I understood that a woman named Mabel Holland lived there
Am I misinformed? I do not want to pass on erroneous info
Thank you, Trish Boone
I was 12 years old when the Mansion burned down. We lived across the street from the Church just below the Mansion. My family help get Ms. Carter out of the house. It was a sad day to see it burn.
Mack Wayne Craig was a first cousin to my mother-in-law Norma Craig Williams and gave our rehearsal dinner at the mansion by candlelight on December 13, 1968.
My dad Lonnie Qualls was on Rescue Squad and they worked the fire. I remember sitting in my dad’s truck watching them trying to save it. It was so sad
I am the great, great granddaughter of Samuel Graham who edited the book ‘The Grahams of Pinewood” that my grandfather wrote. I still have a number of the books that i would like to sell, $20 plus shipping, and I’m looking for an outlet.
Is there any way you can send my email to Tom Fuqua – who last posted a year ago? I would like for him to reply to me and probably doesn’t know I posted a reply to his comment.
Betsy Candler
My mother hosted my bridesmaid’s luncheon at Pinewood Mansion in October, 1974. Dr. Mack Wayne Craig was such a gracious host, telling us about the history of the house and showing us his beautiful antiques. The food was elegantly prepared and delicious! Fifty + years have passed, and I still have very fond memories of a wonderful lunch with my bridesmaids and their mothers. It is so sad that it burned, such a great loss!
Tom, does the name Mabel Holland mean anything to you ? I understood she grew up there but I may be misinformed
Thank you
Trish Boone