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History of the Stanford House

Kennedy & Associates, PLLC is located in the historic Stanford House in the heart of Donelson, Tennessee. The Stanford House was built in the early 1920's as part of Donelson's famous "Millionaire Row." The house itself is an important part of the fabric of Donelson history, and it has served as the firm's law office since 2001.

The Stanford House owes it name and its history to two of the most prominent and influential men in the history and development of Donelson, Tennessee. Brothers A.F. Stanford and Robert D. Stanford, originally from Trousdale County, Tennessee, made their fortunes as wholesale furniture dealers in Oklahoma and returned as millionaires to Donelson in 1918. The brothers purchased the sprawling, historic Clover Bottom Farm in 1918 for $220,000. The Clover Bottom Farm encompassed some 1800 acres and included Clover Bottom Mansion and land on the opposite side of Lebanon Pike known as old "Millionaire Row" as well as a significant parcel of land fronting Stewart's Ferry Pike that is now home to The Tennessee School for the Blind. Clover Bottom was also home to a racetrack and amphitheater frequented by Andrew Jackson. Loena Taylor Aiken, author of Donelson, Tennessee: Its History and Landmarks, called the farm "some of the most historic property in Middle Tennessee."

Historic Clover Bottom Mansion Built in 1858

The Stanford brothers split the Clover Bottom Farm, with R.D. Stanford taking the portion that came to be known as "Millionaire Row" along Lebanon Pike. He began constructing beautiful homes along Lebanon Pike opposite the Clover Bottom Mansion in the early twenties. He enlisted the help of architect William N. Meredith (who was R.D.'s father-in-law and was responsible for designing many of the courthouses throughout Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas) to design the homes on "Millionaire Row" that made up the first residential development in Donelson. The other major development of the day, the Bluefields, also came to be owned by the Stanfords after the real estate company that began the project went bankrupt. These developments together formed the foundation for the future development of Donelson. 

 

The property that is now home to Kennedy & Associates, PLLC was built by architect William Meredith in the English Tudor Cottage Style in the early 1920's. It was owned by R.D. Stanford and his heirs until 1959 when the home was sold. It was owned by the Hale family until 2001 when it was purchased by the Kennedys. The home was featured by the Board of the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities in the 200 Years of Donelson-Hermitage Architecture Tour in 2003. Although it has been modified slightly to serve as an office, the residential character of the home has been maintained, and it remains a beautiful landmark while functioning perfectly as a law office. 

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Kennedy & Associates, PLLC
3052 Lebanon Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883-4998

© 2024 Kennedy & Associates, PLLC

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