Posted in Tennessee
November 12, 2016
The Little Town In Tennessee That Might Just Be The Most Unique Town In The World
Mainly because it’s darling…and less than one hundred people live here. Rugby began as an experiment of utopian society in the late 1800s, and now serves as a historic landmark and neat peek into the past.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Rugby was founded in 1880 by English newcomers, meant to be a space that blended the best of both the new America and England.
And for a little bit, the town thrived. It was extremely attractive to young British heirs who wanted nothing to do with their past and home country.
Brent Moore
Here you can see the Rugby School, originally built in 1880 and restored in 1907.
Founder Thomas Hughes named Rugby after his old school in England, as a call back to where the towns residents were once from. It was hardly a place inhabited by born-and-bred Tennesseans.
Built in 1880, the Newberry House was the first boarding house in the entire town of Rugby. It offers six rooms for guests and folks can stay here even today. That's a night spent in history, don't you think?
The date of the free public library's opening is printed on the front door.
The heart of the town was good. It eventually grew to 300 people, before a typhoid outbreak caused numbers to dwindle drastically. Financial troubles and loss led to the downfall of Tennessee's attempt at utopia.
There were 66 structures erected in Rugby and only 17 still stand. It was in the 1960s that the town was rediscovered and restored, with close to 85 residents now making their homes in the historic place.
Rugby is located along the Cumberland Plateau and fosters stunning natural scenery.
The town was officially abandoned in 1900, though the rejuvenating attention it received in the '60s resulted in a spot on the National Registrar of Historic Places.
What a place, right? Have you visited? Because we’re pretty sure this deserves a spot on your bucket list. Just sayin’.
