In 2011 when we started homeschooling we decided to discover Tennessee and learn about its history. We had a great time touring the major cities in our great state. It’s three years later and we’re back on the road discovering Tennessee. This time we’ve taken to the back roads! We chose to start off our summer of Tennessee history visiting Pall Mall, Tennessee. One might wonder, as we did, “Just where is Pall Mall?” Pall Mall is a sleepy community with a volunteer fire station and a post office on the Tennessee/Kentucky border north of Cookeville. And again, one might wonder, “Why would we spend Memorial Day in Pall Mall, Tennessee?”

 

 

We thought it fitting to visit the home of a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor on the day that America sets aside to honor our fallen heroes. Alvin C. York came from humble beginnings in Pall Mall and returned from WWI, with his humility, as a hero.

 

 

 

A few days prior to our Memorial Day trip, we visited the Tennessee State Military Museum in Nashville. We were able to see a few of York’s personal belongings, but most interesting were his Congressional Medal of Honor and his Croix de guerre. We also found York’s name mentioned along the Bicentennial Mall’s timeline wall.

 

 

 

We also walked over to the statue erected in his honor on the grounds of the Capitol.

 

 

After arriving in Pall Mall on Memorial Day, we picnicked by the Gristmill at the Wolf River which the York family owned for a number of years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The York General Store, that Alvin and Gracie ran, still has the feel of a small community store. Today it sells souvenirs and visitors can watch a short film on the life of Alvin York.

 

 

Across the street is the home Alvin and Gracie York which was given by the Nashville Rotary Club. Our self-guided toured ended with us speaking to Alvin’s son, Andrew Jackson York. He’s an 84 year old gentleman that retired last year as a park ranger, but occasionally works at the house. We were blessed he was there during our visit.

 

 

Mr. York asked Chloe to play a tune on the family’s piano.

 

 

We took a half mile walk down the nature trail to a swinging bridge.

 

 

York’s grave site.