Historical Photos

We are collecting images of historical photos (mostly postcards) from Red Boiling Springs. As we find them, we'll add them to this page. Most of the photos are thumbnails. You may click on a photo to enlarge it.

Red Boiling Springs Hotels (To help in identifying photos below)
Previous Name(s)	Current Name
Cloyd Hotel	The Thomas House
The Counts Smith’s Brick Smith’s Hotel	Armour's Hotel
Donoho Hotel	Donoho Hotel
Palace Hotel (torn down, 1959)	[Palace Nursing Home built on site.]
Arlington Hotel (burned in 1940s or 1950s). Was located hear the Armour Hotel.

Postcard, circa 1944
"We're Full Up - But We'll Make Room For You
Arlington Hotel
C.C. Joines, Owner
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Palace Bowling Alley
The Palace bowling alley had about 8 lanes, 5 pin, set by hand. Upstairs was a skating rink. Upstairs was also used for a dance hall where guests from the Palace Hotel would dress in their best attire and dance to the music of a band.
Photo courtesy Mary Hudson.
Please click photo to enlarge.

City Cafe
1950
Photo courtesy Mary Hudson.
Please click photo to enlarge.

Chitwood's Drug Store
Photo courtesy Mary Hudson

Colorado-green Pitcher
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Date: Early 1900's
Pitcher stand approximately 4-1/8 inches tall.

45 RPM Phonograph Record
"The Tragedy of Red Bailing Springs"
This has to do with the flood in RBS back in 1969.

Milk Glass "Canoe" Bowl
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Approximately 6-1/4 inch long
Date unknown

Six-Sided Plate
"Souvenir
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Plate is 7 inches in diameter and has a 1929 calendar.

Historic Photo
Circa 1911 or 1912
Submitted by Jim Hix, who wrote:
"I'm enclosing a scan of a postcard left to me by my great aunt Elma Hix Shoulders (1896-1989) who was from Red Boiling Springs, TN. According to her, this brass band was organized by her brother Carlie Hix and they played around the area. The date of this photograph was taken May 6, 1911 or 12. I'm not sure where the photograph was taken, but my father thinks there was a Cloyd Hotel before the present Thomas House Hotel that may have been the backdrop. If you are interested in posting this on the Red Boiling Springs website you are more than welcome. My aunt remembered the names of all the members except for one, and I have listed them below (not sure about all of the spellings). Thank you Jim Hix.
Top Row, left to right: 1. Clelan Cloyd, 2. Paul Sabens, 3. Aubry Joines, 4 Bert Smith, 5. ?, 6. Bill Moss
Front Row: 1. Coen Cloyd, 2. Sam Smith, 3. Claud Bryant, 4. Victor Sabins, 5. Carlie Hix, 6. Gilbert Smith"
[Thanks, Jim!!]

Postcard
1941
The card commemorates the name change from Redboiling Springs, TN to Red Boiling Springs, TN. The card is autographed by the postmaster. It was addressed to a collector in Kenvil, New Jersey. There are two 1c For Defense stamps with one duplex cancel marking the last day of Redboiling Springs, and a different style duplex marking dated the next day marking the first day of Red Boiling Springs. The office started out in 1847 as Red Boiling Springs, changed to Redboiling Springs in 1894, and permanently returned to the Red Boiling Springs spelling on November 1, 1941.

Photo postcard, circa 1917
This postcard shows a group of people under a pavilion. Notice the water pump.

Postcard, circa 1951
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Postcard, circa 1907
"Greetings From Redboiling Springs Tenn"

Postcard, date unknown
"Hello I am at Red Boiling Springs Tenn."

Postcard, early 1900s
"View Cloyd Place Red Boiling Springs, Tenn. -- Cottages"

Ashtray, date unknown
"J.B. Cassidy Lumber Co.
Phone MY 9-2245
Red Boiling Springs
Tenn.:
Note: the phone number would have been given as "Phone Myrtle 9 2 2 4 5." The first two characters of "Myrtle" would be converted to numbers on the telephone's keypad, and the number dialed would be 699-2245.

Donoho Hotel
Postcard, circa 1974

Counts Hotel
Postcard, date unknown

Postcard, circa 1919
"Cloyd Place
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Postcard, circa 1947
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Bud Vase
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs Tenn"
Date unknown

Postcard, date unknown
Chitwood's Store and Post Office, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.
Comments from Patricia Ferguson's mom: The man standing on the outside reminded her of Shade Chitwood, who owned the drug store. The old Post Office had apartments upstairs. There was a house to the right of the Post Office. The house, yard and the Post Office is where the RBS branch of Macon Bank and Trust Company is located today. To the left of the drug store was the York Theater. It was a movie theater, and one of the few around. There was a beauty shop in the building also. The beauty shop was owned by Rose York. She later moved her beauty shop to her home, which was a brick house across the road from the York Theater. That house is still standing and is located next to the current RBS Post Office.

Postcard, date unknown
"Donoho Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Red Boiling Springs Water
Bottle Label
Date unknown.

Moss Hotel
Postcard, date unknown
"Moss Hotel - Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"
Donna Milam of Beechmont, Kentucky, sent in the postcard with a note that she asked to be posted: "Donated by Donna Ocie Berry Milam from the estate of her cousin, Lagatha Emmaline Jenkins Smith. She was the daughter of Monette L. Lowthan and John Lester Jenkins who married October 26, 1911, at Pleasant Grove Church in Westmoreland, Tennessee. Lester's parents were Reubin David Jenkins and Nancy E. Ayers Jenkins. His grandparents were William and Mary Goad Jenkins."

Russell House
Postcard circa 1941
"Russell House
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Uhl Ceramic Jug
Early 1900's
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn"
Stands approximately 3-1/4" tall

Souvenir Glass
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs"
Date unknown.
Glass is approximately 4-inches tall.

Shot Glass
"Red Boiling Springs Tennessee"
Date unknown

Small, wooden toothpick holder
"Red Boiling Springs"

Small, hammered skillet
"Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Date Unknown

Postcard, date unknown
"Cloyd Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Postcard, circa 1917
Donoho Hotel
"The New Donoho Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., B. W. Chitwood, Proprietor"

Postcard, date unknown
"Bridge, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.
Published by Read Bros., Carthage, Tennessee"

Postcard, circa 1920
"Dr. H. C. Hesson's Office and Residence and Red Boiling Springs Hotel"

Postcard, date unknown
"I shall try to put it over in Red Bailing Springs, Tenn."

Ruby Red Crystal Pitcher
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Measures about 4" tall x 4" wide

Postcard
"Colonial Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
circa 1951

Cream Pitcher
"Red Boiling Springs Tenn."
Date unknown
Made by Clinchfield Artware, Erin, Tennessee; hand painted.

Water Jug
Date unknown
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs Tenn."

Postcard
Date Unknown
"McClellan Building, Red Boiling Springs Tenn."

Postcard
circa 1926
"Scenery of the Famous Red Boiling Springs Amusement Lake, M. A. Simmons, Owner and Manager."

Postcard, circa 1915
Lake scene
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Postcard, circa 1925
"The Donoho. Red Boiling Spring, Tenn."

Postcard, circa 1932
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Cloyd Bath House
Postcard, circa 1954

Lake View
Postcard, circa 1957
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Scenic View of Lake
Postcard, date unknown
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Colonial Hotel
Postcard, circa 1949
"Colonial Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
This hotel was once the McClellan residence.

Valley View
Postcard, circa 1949
"Beautiful valley in which nestles Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
This shot was taken looking down from the school building. The Palace Hotel is the large building on the left with the arrow pointing to it. It is interesting that this postcard uses the word "nestles" in it. Today, on top of the hill behind The Palace Hotel, is the Macon County Bottling Plant of Nestlé Waters North America. Nestle, of course, is frequently written as Nestles!

Postcard, circa 1950
Moss Hotel
"Looking for you at the Moss Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Comic Postcard
circa 1910

Postcard, circa 1912
"Donoho Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Publisher: R.W. Tardy, Pub. Gainesboro, Tenn.

Postcard, circa 1940
"Greeting from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Postcard, circa 1945
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Cloyd Hotel
Postcard, circa 1950
"Cloyd Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"

Counts Hotel
Postcard, circa 1930

Cloyd Place
Postcard, 1907

Baker-Owens Hotel
Postcard, mailed 1951
"Baker-Owens Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"

Comic Postcard
Circa 1940
"Having a Purr-Fectly Wonderful Time!
Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Palace Bath House
Postcard, circa 1945
"Palace Hotel Bath House, Red Boiling Springs Tenn."

Donoho Hotel
Plate, circa 1915
"Donoho Hotel Red Boiling Springs Tenn."


6-point Ashtray Circa 1900 The ashtray was made by Harker. There is a picture of a child painting a sign on the side of a building. The sign reads: "Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs"

"Red Springs Gulf Service / Red Boiling Springs Tenn."
4-point Ashtray 4 3/8"

"Counts Hotel. Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"
Postcard
Circa 1951

"The Original Bath House"
Postcard
Date Unknown

"Scenery of the Famous Red Boiling Amusement Lake,
M. A. Simmons, Owner and Manager"
Postcard, date unknown

Souvenir Vase
The Donoho Hotel
The bottom is marked "The Jonroth Studios - Hand Painted - Germany"

Lake Photo
Postcard, date unknown
"Scenery of the Famous Red Boiling Springs Amusement Lake,
M.A. Simmons, Owner and Manager"
Contributed by Hillra Stone Qualls. Thank you!

Flour Sack
"Red Riding Hood
Premium
Baking Flour
Hood Flour Mills
Red Boiling Springs, Tn.
5 lbs,

Donoho Hotel
Souvenir cup circa 1910
Front: "Donoho Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Bottom: "Hand Painted, The Jonroth Studios, Germany"

Palace Hotel
Ashtray circa 1910
Front: "Palace Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Bottom: "Hand Painted, The Jonroth Studios, Germany"

Glass tray, date unknown
"Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Country Scene
Postcard circa 1947
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Cloyd Place
Postcard circa 1923
"Cloyd Place / Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Palace Hotel. Postcard mailed in 1914
"Palace Hotel"
"Red Boiling Springs Tenn"

Cloyd Hotel. Postcard mailed in 1921.
"Cloyd Place"
"Red Boiling Springs, Macon County, Tennessee."

Color picture of the Palace Hotel on a small pitcher.
"Palace Hotel, Red Boiling Springs Tenn"

Donoho Hotel

Postcard mailed in 1943.
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

China plate.
"Famous Black Sulphur Well"
"Red Boiling Springs, Tenn"
Estimated date of plate is 1910.
We think the plate was manufactured by Harker Pottery Company in Ohio.

Palace Hotel
"Palace Hotel, Red Boiling Springs Tenn."
circa 1930

York Theater
"Greetings from York Theatre, Beauty Shoppe and Store,
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Cloyd Hotel (Now The Thomas House)
"Cloyd Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Post card mailed in the 1940s.
From the back of the post card:
"Red Boiling Springs Today
Here at an elevation of 1400 feet, one can find complete rest from the cares and worries of the world. Long, cool nights and our famous waters will build you up and fit you to return to the tasks which await you back home."

Farm Scene
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Postcard circa 1940s.

Park Scene
Postcard circa 1910
"Red Boiling Springs Tenn"

Palace Hotel
"Palace Hotel
Red Boiling Springs Tenn."
Postcard postmarked 1923

Farm Scene
Postcard from the 1940s
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs Tenn."

Moss Hotel
Postcard circa 1940
"MOSS HOTEL - Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"

Arlington Hotel
Postcard circa 1925
"Arlington Hotel, Centrally Located, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn"

Donoho Hotel
Postcard circa 1922
"The Donoho Hotel, B. W. Chitwood, Prop., Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Palace Hotel
Postcard circa 1916
"Palace Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tenn"

Salt Lick Creek
Postcard
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Cloyd Hotel Annex
Postcard circa 1910
"View Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs - Tenn."

Cloyd Cottage
Postcard circa 1910
"Cottage Knoll - Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs - Tenn."

Cloyd Hotel Grounds
Postcard circa 1910
"View Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs - Tenn. - Campus"

Cloyd Hotel View
Postcard circa 1910
"Valley View - Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Chapel View
Postcard circa 1910
"Chapel View Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Donoho Hotel
Postcard circa 1929
"DONOHO HOTEL......RED BOILING SPRINGS, TENN.
In the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. A good place to spend your vacation. Drink our famous Mineral Waters and be cured. Write or Telephone for Reservations.
B.W. CHITWOOD, Proprietor"

Cloyd Hotel
Postcard circa 1910
"Where the Weary Rest - Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs - Tenn"

Cloyd Hotel
Postcard circa 1910
"Where the Healing Waters flow - Cloyd Place - Red Boiling Springs - Tenn"

Cloyd Place
Postcard circa 1910
"Cloyd Place -- Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Bridge
Postcard Circa 1910
"Palace Hotel
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.
Entrance to Amusement Park"

Palace Hotel Mineral Bath House
Postcard circa 1925
"Mineral Bath House Palace Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Palace Hotel
Postcard circa 1934
"One of Palace Hotel's Famous Mineral Wells, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

J.B. Cassetty Lumber
Advertisement, circa 1958
"J. B. Cassetty Lumber Co.
Rough and dressed lumber
Builders supplies
Phone MYrtle 9 -2245
Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"

Arlington Hotel
Postcard circa 1926
"Arlington Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Donoho Hotel
Postcard
Front: "Donoho Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee"
Back: "DONOHO HOTEL Located in the foothills of the beautiful Cumberland Mts. Famous for its mineral waters and wonderful home cooked meals. Private baths -- innerspring mattresses. An ideal vacation spot. Swimming pool, fishing and other recreation."

Palace Hotel
Souvenir Plate
Front: "Palace Hotel Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Back: "The Jonroth Studios/Germany/Painted and imported for S.A. Chitwood & Son/Red Boiling Springs Tenn."

Cloyd Place
(Church is in the foreground)
"Cloyd Place, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Postcard, date unknown

Totem Pole
"Totem Pole-- in Red Boiling Springs Park.. T.J. Wooten, Proprietor."
Postcard, date unknown

Cloyd Hotel
"Cloyd Hotel - Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Postcard, date unknown

Palace Hotel
Postcard - circa 1928
"Palace Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Counts Hotel
Postcard - circa 1958
"Counts Hotel - Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Donoho Hotel
Postcard - circa 1920
"Donoho Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Donoho Hotel
Coffee Mug, Date Unknown
"Donoho
Since 1914
Hotel
Red Boiling Springs,
Tennessee
'Real Southern Hospitality'
615-699-3141"

Palace Hotel
Postcard
circa 1938
Front: "Palace Hotel
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."
Back: "Palace Hotel
Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.
For Health and Pleasure. The original mineral waters with amazing curative powers. Dancing and other diversions."

Cloyd Hotel
Postcard circa 1954
"Cloyd Hotel / Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

Park Scene
Postcard circa 1947
"Greetings from Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

China Match Holder
"Souvenir of Red Boiling Springs'

Postcard
"Arlington Hotel, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn."

The Historic 1969 Red Boiling Springs Flood

See color home movies of the 1969 Red Boiling Springs flood!
Opens as an Apple QuickTime movie.
(6 minutes, 27 seconds; 8.7 MB, no sound)

Download Apple QuickTime movie player. (It's free.)
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Read the history of the 1969 Red Boiling Springs flood
written by Mark A. Rose, Meteorologist,
of the National Weather Service.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/research/flood_1969.htm

Note: after the 1969 flood, extensive work was done to add flood-control dams above Red Boiling Springs. Hopefully, the flood of 1969 will be the last one in RBS history.