THE BAILLET HOUSE
The Oldest Building In Tullahoma
The historic Baillet House, which serves as part of the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center, is reportedly the oldest building in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Part of the structure predates the founding of the city, which occurred in 1852.
Local folklore holds that the building was used as a hospital during the American Civil War. First by the Confederate Army of Tennessee following the Battle of Stones River in December, 1862 and preceding the Battle of Chickamauga in September, 1863. And later by a Union occupation force.
After travelling from Farmersville, New York In 1868, the Baillet family built an Italianate home on the site using bricks from the Lupher brickyard.
The house, located at 401 South Jackson Street, sits across from land that the Tullahoma founders had originally planned as the town's square. But when the railroad depot was placed several blocks north of the area, the town's center moved with it.
Three of the Baillet sisters owned and operated a millinery shop in downtown Tullahoma until 1913.
The 1910 Census lists Jane and Emma Baillet as dressmakers. At that time four Baillets still resided at the home. Napoleon, listed as the head of the household, and his sisters, Jane, Emma and Affa.
The 1930 Census lists Affa as the last remaining Baillet in the home. Elizabeth Wooden, age 74, was listed as a renter. Affa died in 1934 at the age of 84.
During World War II, when Tullahoma's population skyrocketed over night, the house was converted into apartments.
Among their many interests and activities, the Baillet sisters also shared a love of the arts.
Exactly one hundred years after the Baillet home rose on the south side of the city, it was restored by volunteers interested in preserving Tullahoma's history and the Baillet sisters' art legacy.
