Bristol house has had many owners over the years

This very unusual house at 324 6th St., Bristol, Tenn., has been home to several prominent local families. It was erected about 1875 by William McFarland, and certainly is one of the most unique Queen Anne houses that has ever stood in this city. It is now serving as the Slaughter Law Offices and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

By: By Bud Phillips Special to the Herald Courier | TriCities.com
Published: December 27, 2009

Several fine and beautiful Queen Anne-type houses were erected in early Bristol during the 1870s into the 1900s, and a few still remain.
The one at 324 6th St., Bristol, Tenn., is the oldest of those that remain and certainly is one of the most unique ever constructed here.
Upon the death of his father in 1867, John G. King inherited a large portion of land. Around 1870, he sold a few lots for home sites (in the vicinity of the old Ft. Shelby location). Then, in 1871, he offered to sell 200 more lots in that area.
Later that year, he held a public auction of the remaining lots. For some reason, the more elite of the town were drawn to this area and soon began erecting substantial homes.
During that period, David Ensor built his residence that is now the oldest portion of the Weaver Funeral Home. Nannie J. Minor Robertson erected the original house (that was enlarged in the 1890s) that was long the Charles R. Vance home at 412 6th St. (now the Troutdale Restaurant).
Then in 1871, Dr. John J. Ensor built a fine house at 634 Cherry St. (now the Sesco Building). About 1872, the Rev. George A. Caldwell erected the largest of them all at 306 6th St. When built, the local newspaper editor called it the “finest house in town.” It was the first in Bristol to have central heating.
John Slack, a local newspaperman, soon built a large house at 536 Anderson St., and about 1878, Joseph L. King built another grand house at 530 Anderson (this house long served as the Bristol Public Library). Then, in 1881, Joseph R. Anderson, Bristol’s founder, built his grand Victorian mansion at 516 Anderson.
Locals, perhaps facetiously, began calling the section the “royal cluster.” Soon, what had been Lee Street was changed to Royal Street (now Anderson Street). The unique house of which I here write was part of that “royal cluster.”
In 1872, William McFarland bought the lot on which this house stands from John G. King. The purchase price was $158.69.
It appears the house was built in 1875. It is almost certain that it was professionally designed. Years ago, I was told that William McFarland’s wife, Margaret (Maggie) was a daughter of the Rev. George Caldwell whose house was next door, but I have never been able to verify this.
The McFarlands later sold the house to Aaron Brown Carr and wife in 1879 for $2,350. Mr. Carr was a nephew of Joseph R. Anderson.
Three years later, Carr sold the house to his brother, James W. Carr, for $2,500. The latter died in 1886 at the age of 36. His widow married Robert Botts and in 1894, they sold the house to Mrs. S. P. (Elizabeth) White Morris of Huntsville, Ala., for $4,000.
Mrs. Morris later married G. R. Hudson and in 1902, they sold the house to Dr. Landon Haynes Gammon for $5,400. Dr. Gammon died on Oct. 31, 1942, but the house remained in the Gammon family until 2003 (101 years).
Through most of the Gammon ownership, rooms and apartments were rented in this house. I lived in the upstairs tower room about 36 years ago.
At that time, Dr. Gammon’s second wife, Corolla Crockett Gammon, then a widow, was managing the house. In 2003, the house was sold to attorneys Frank Slaughter and Frank Slaughter Jr. It was then completely renovated and came into use as law offices.
I have seen so many of Bristol’s old homes demolished and knowing that this unique old landmark has been preserved for generations to enjoy is of great satisfaction to me.