History of the Smith House

According to the original plan for Nashville, lot 163 was granted to John Overton sometime in the 18th century. George Dedrick took ownership in 1803 and later it belonged to Jacob McGavock. During the 1840's Mary Claiborne built what is today known as The Smith House. She ran a respectable boarding house that counted many of Nashville's most prominent citizens as its residents. At that time the address was 139 Spruce St.

In 1881 Julian Sax bought the house as a residence and in 1883 he leased the home to the Concordia Society Club, which renamed itself The Standard Club upon moving into the house.

The Standard Club flourished and in 1895 they built the large ballroom at the rear of the building. Underneath the ballroom they installed what is believed to be Nashville's first bowling alley. The bowling alleys ornate tin ceiling is still in place today. The Standard Club hosted Nashville's high society with events in the ballroom including musical and dramatic revues, fabulous dances and lavish weddings. Later The Standard Club moved to a new location on Granny White Pike and renamed itself The Woodmont Country Club.

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