The Fielding Hurst Home

It's the only structure that remains from what were once the glory days of the town of Purdy, the county seat for McNairy County, Tennessee.

The home of Colonel Fielding Hurst stands at what was once a bustling West Main Street that was lined with homes, businesses, and professional offices. The courthouse was just a short distance away and Purdy College was on the other side of the oval-shaped plot that was the town.

My expertise is not architecture, but I'm fairly certain the front porch and support columns were not original to the house. Undoubtedly the back wing (where the kitchen is located) was also a later addition.

The house was reportedly built about 1853 by Fielding Hurst. He and his wife Melocky resided there throughout the war and Reconstruction until he sold it to G.D. McBee on September 9, 1876.

The house had various owners for the next 48 years until it was purchased by Clarence C. Dodds on December 17, 1920. It remained in the Dodds family until his daughter Bessie passed away in 1993. It was left to the McNairy County government and efforts were made to restore the house as a potential historical museum to no avail. The home was recently sold to a private owner. It has been terribly vandalized over the past few years and he may relocate it elsewhere in the county to save and restore it.

Is It Haunted?

I'm not one who takes ghosts and paranormal activity seriously, but the stories are still fun to read. Any old house is a likely candidate to be haunted and this pre-Civil War era one is no exception.

There's a story on the Internet that the walls "bleed" when it rains, but aside from that mention, I've not read it anywhere else.

There have been a few photos taken outside the house that show what look like faces in the windows. Very creepy!

Click here to see some of the photos.

A Final Note

Remember that the former Fielding Hurst home is private property and there are NO TRESPASSING signs posted on almost every window. This wasn't the case when I visited it a year ago, but they are there now. Please respect the owner's desire to prevent further vandalism and damage to the structure so that it may someday be restored. 

Aside from that, someone could get hurt walking around inside, as the floors are rotting and there's a cellar below. Please stay outside and don't trespass.