Visitors to Middle Tennessee and Fall Creek Falls State Park looking for historical charm should tour the magnificent Falcon Rest Mansion. Located in McMinnville, Tennessee, this Victorian mansion, often called “the grandest mansion in Tennessee,” offers a glimpse into the past with a rich history and beautifully restored architecture.
In 1896, entrepreneur Clay Faulkner promised his wife, Mary, he’d build her “the grandest mansion in Tennessee” if she would move next to their woolen mill, 2-1/2 miles from downtown McMinnville. Mary agreed, and Faulkner enthusiastically supervised the construction. He promoted the mill’s “Gorilla Pants,” so strong even a gorilla couldn’t tear them apart, and mineral water at the Faulkner Springs Hotel, the “ideal health and pleasure resort” he eventually opened on the lake across the road.
In the 1940s, Clay Faulkner’s mansion was converted into a hospital and nursing home. By the mid-1950s, Dr. J.P. Dietrich added to the building and renamed it the Faulkner Springs Hospital. The doctor closed the hospital in 1968 and attempted to tear down the solid brick structure unsuccessfully. The mansion sat empty for a decade and a half.
When George McGlothin bought the old house at auction in 1989, it was a ghost of its former glory. He and his wife, Charlien, began four years of restoration, doing 95% of the work themselves. Their efforts were rewarded with the National Trust’s Great American Home Award for restoration in 1997. By mid-2017, the McGlothins had owned Falcon Rest longer than anyone else in its history. They have had it open to the public as a historic attraction for 30 years as of 2023.
George left a career in management to restore Falcon Rest. School children who toured the mansion reported, “Mr. McGlothin loves his house.” He is known for telling stories about it at a mile a minute, earning him the description of “a walking encyclopedia dressed in a tuxedo.” George stars in Falcon Rest’s three interactive, history-based group shows and continues the restoration of the mansion. His wife, Charlien, a former NASA public affairs writer, has devoted herself full-time to managing Falcon Rest and serving as the master chef since 1995.
Visitors to Falcon Rest can enjoy guided tours of the mansion, exploring the beautifully restored rooms and learning about the rich history of the house and its inhabitants. The mansion also hosts interactive history shows and has a Victorian gift shop. The five-acre grounds feature gardens designed and maintained by George, showcasing more than a decade and a half of landscaping efforts.
Falcon Rest Mansion is rumored to be haunted. Many stories about spirits center around the bedroom at the foot of the staircase where Clay Faulkner died in 1916. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, finding items in different places, and smelling cigar smoke. Despite these eerie occurrences, any spirits at Falcon Rest are considered friendly and curious.
Falcon Rest Mansion is open from 9 am to 5 pm Central Time, Wednesday through Sunday. Guided tours last 45 minutes to an hour and usually begin within 15 minutes of arrival. Admission is $17 for adults and teens, and $9 for children aged 4-12. Sales tax is additional.
For more information or to make a donation, please contact Bill or Peggie Hurteau.
Falcon Rest Mansion
2645 Faulkner Springs Rd.
McMinnville, TN 37110
GPS Address: 85 Bluff Springs Rd., McMinnville, TN 37110
Phone: 931-668-4444
Mobile: 931-273-1688
Email: falconrest@falconrest.com
While visiting Falcon Rest Mansion, consider exploring these nearby attractions:
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of architecture, or simply looking for a unique experience, Falcon Rest Mansion offers a memorable visit. Discover the grandeur, history, and charm of this beautifully restored Victorian mansion in the heart of Middle Tennessee.
