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Joseph Dunlop House (Ayreshire): Mid-2023 Demolition threatened

Updated: Jun 23

517 Madison St. Clarksville, TN

Circa 1914. 2-story red Mediterranean-style home with terra-cotta roof



Joseph "Joe" Phillips Dunlop (1866-1937) and Laura Smith Dunlop (1870-1959) built their home in 1914 which is next door to the Bowling house and set back a bit further with an arched entry. The land had been owned by Dr. Joshua Cobb and Marina Cobb. Dunlop was the son of Hugh and Mattie Williams Dunlop, natives of Ayrshire, Scotland. He came to America and made a fortune in the Clarksville tobacco industry and became a substantial landowner. Mattie was the daughter of Joe and Sarah Ann Williams of Tip Top. Dunlop purchased Adairville Mill & Elevator Company in 1902 and co-owned Dunlop Mills with his brother, H. Matthew Dunlop. A few years later, in 1919, the Dunlops were able to buy "Restmere," near Asheville, NC. It was the former home of the NC governor. Dunlop retired from the milling operation about 1929. By Joe's death, the Dunlops seemed to be spending most of their time in Buncombe, NC, and about ten years later, widow Laura sold her Clarksville home and land to the Miller family in 1938.


Jack B.Miller (1896-1977) and (Mary) Louise Perkins Miller (?-1978) owned the home by 1940. He was a prosperous businessman with partner Matt H. Rudolph in farm equipment company Perkins and Miller, and they helped found Clarksville Memorial Hospital. During their ownership, the home was in Robert Penn Warren's movie "At Heaven's Gate." The family is honored with a Jack Miller BL. Before Louise died, she deeded the Madison property to her children: John Frank Miller and Betty Miller Rudoph. Evidently, the home was vacant for years.


In 1981, the Miller heirs sold the property to the Kleeman Packing Company. In 2006, Kleeman Packing, Rebecca Miller (president and spouse of John F. Miller) sold the home to George M. Terrell. The American Red Cross leased the home from the Millers from 1996 to 2012.


In July 2023, the owner George Terrell requested a demolition permit for the home which he has on the market. Evidently, the request was denied. Then in November 2023, Gracey General Partnership purchased the property and has sued the City of Clarksville to get a demolition permit that was previously denied. See Tip-Top


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