Explore History, Charm, And A Scenic Drive To The Town Of Leipers Fork In Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on August 17, 2023(Originally published January 25, 2020)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee is chock full of tiny towns and sweet spaces. It’s located in the American South, after all. From the mountains of the east to the Mississippi-adjacent cities of the west, there are small cities with big hearts scattered all across the Volunteer State. Leipers Fork in particular, however, has stolen our hearts. This Middle Tennessee town has remained quiet, low-key, and charming despite the sudden contemporary upheaval of its neighbor to the north, Nashville. It’s a great spot for city-dwellers to come and decompress, and the perfect day trip for families. Learn more about this charming little town below!
Leipers Fork itself is a small, rural village located in the heart of Tennessee's famed Williamson County. It's only a couple of minutes from Franklin, which is known as one of the top towns for families in the United States. With just a short and scenic drive over the rolling hills of middle Tennessee, you will arrive at a town untouched by time.
The town itself sits on a mere 1,100 acres, with only 650 folks calling this darling small town home. Located along the Natchez Trace, a former travel route important to local Native Americans, the Franklin-Leipers Fork area was settled by Europeans in the late 1700s.
After the state's Native American inhabitants there came a slew of settlers from North Carolina and Virginia. Leipers Fork was given as a series of land grants to these newcomers as payment for their service to the new nation in the Revolutionary War.
The town itself is registered as a historic district and can be found listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The small downtown area features restaurants and art galleries, as well as a smattering of antique shops and locally-owned boutiques. One spot you should check out when you go is Creekside Trading. This quirky store features all sorts of items from musical instruments to artisan crafted jewelry. You never know what you might find when you go, and don't forget to say hello to the shop's cat who hangs around waiting for guests.
The community is both tight-knit and kind, and both visitors and locals alike are bound to fall in love. You can notice the sweet southern charm yourself with all of the events hosted all year which really bring out the crowds. From movies in the park to live music at Fox and Locke, there's always something on the horizon, even for such a sleepy little town.
There are also plenty of bed-and-breakfast or rental spots for visitors. The Queen Ann and craftsman styles of home are popular in this village and provide an infusion of the past alongside the present. Take for instance the Picker's Cottage. This lovely renovated and historical home is the perfect space to stay in while exploring Leipers Fork.
One might also note that Leipers Fork is spelled both with and without the apostrophe, depending on the publication. It's referred to both ways, but some believe that the apostrophe was dropped by a mapmaker and the change stuck. The name actually refers to either Hugh Leiper, an early land surveyor in the rural area, or Captain James Leiper, who lost his life in the Battle of the Bluffs in 1781.
If you're looking for something to do in this sweet Tennessee town, then make sure to show up for the Hillbilly Half Marathon the first weekend in June, or perhaps the quirky Christmas Parade that occurs every December. There are all sorts of music festivals, outdoor movies, and even turkey shoots hosted throughout the year.
No trip to this charming village is complete until you visit Fox and Locke. This restaurant sits in the heart of the town always offering fantastic food and has a love for live music. In fact, that is one of the biggest draws for people to come on down and listen to some really good music. Over the years several big-name artists have lent their talents to this establishment. Check out this Tennessee Crossroads video on this undeniably charming village.
Will you be visiting? The drive is roughly 10 minutes from Franklin, and about 45 from the heart of Nashville. Come to indulge in a bit of sweet small-town spirit, folks. Leipers Fork is worth the time.
This only scratches the service when it comes to the charm of this little town. It doesn’t get any more “Tennessee” than this. You can follow along and check out all of the current events by giving a follow to the Visit Leipers Fork, TN Facebook page.
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