Built in 1862, this home is beautiful AND it has a very rich history.
Photograph by Barbara Chambers-Hensley of http://www.barbarasgraphicdesign.com/
This home is located within the historical district in downtown Bolivar. You can reach it quite easily by turning beside Sonic and passing through a few stop signs.
McNeal Place was built due to the death of the only daughter of the original owner, Ezekiel K. Polk (a relative of James K. Polk). Mrs. (Ann) Polk was inconsolable at the death of Priscilla, who was in her teens in 1854. Polk built the home on the west side of his property near Polk Cemetery where Priscilla was buried. Ann visited the grave each day. During the Civil War she had to have a special pass to cross the Union Lines.
The local legend says that on the days when Mrs. Polk was not allowed to visit the cemetery, she would stand in the second story bedroom window and stare out at Polk Cemetery. Some say you can occasionally see her spirit in that same window simply staring across at her daughter’s grave.
Even though I have never seen the ghost of Mrs. Polk, I still enjoy visiting this neighborhood. There are many other historic homes nearby, including one that is documented as being haunted. (The Wren’s Nest, Uncle Dave’s rocking chair) It is also right across the road from Polk Cemetery which is alleged to be haunted.
The ghost at the Wren’s Nest is said to be my (great-great) uncle, Dave Parren, not ‘Tom’. My mother grew up in the house and knew Uncle Dave very well. He was, incidentally, the local undertaker.
I have never heard of the other supposed ghosts, although I grew up in the neighborhood.
Sorry, misspelt Uncle Dave’s name; it should be Parran (French). He also owned an iron foundry and several old places around town have his lovely iron planters in their gardens.
Thank you for the information. I have corrected it.
The Last name of the man who built the house is McNeal, the same as the name of the houes. His full name was Ezekiel Polk McNeal, his wife name is Ann McNeal. They are related to Jame K. Polk. James K. Polks grandfather was named Ezekiel Polk. The house was built in 1858. This house is in an historical district in Bolivar, and there is a downtown historical district of Bolivar. There are 2 historical districts in Bolivar and this house is not in the downtown historical district. Please curret your information on this sight.
“This home is located within the historical district in downtown Bolivar.” This is what I posted.
You said: “There are 2 historical districts in Bolivar and this house is not in the downtown historical district.”
You are incorrect. There are three historical districts in the town of Bolivar: “Bolivar is graced with three distinct historic districts. The North Main District contains more than 20 homes ranging in dates from the 1840s to the 1940s representing many architectural styles. Court Square District includes the 1868 Courthouse, as well as one of the only three log courthouses left in the U. S.; Bills-McNeal Historic District contains several outstanding antebellum mansions.”
http://www.hardemanlibrary.org/localhistory.html
The McNeal place is located within downtown Bolivar, as I previously stated, and more specifically within the Bills-McNeal Historic District. I believe you are thinking of the North Main District.
You state that the home was built in 1858. According to the committee that runs the Historical Homes Tours in Bolivar, the house was built circa 1862.
http://www.thepillars.info/2008%20Home%20Tour.htm
If you will read the information below the photograph of the home on the tour page, you will see that it mirrors my information.
Perhaps you are confused on your information, as you will find here in the listings of notable citizens of Bolivar:
“Thomas McNeal The father of the prominent McNeal family of Bolivar. It was at McNeal’s house that the first courts were held. He was the son-in-law of Ezekial Polk.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardeman_County,_Tennessee
I have provided you with my sources, which includes the Hardeman County Library and the The Hardeman County Chapter of The Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. If you can provide me with sources proving your claims, I will gladly compare the two and make any adjustments necessary.
I have lived all my life in Bolivar and have spent many years studying these magnificent homes. I also happen to be friends with the caretakers of this particular one.
I and my family just moved to Bolivar One year ago, We are a family of five and we love this area. The reason we came here is the history of the town. We have done some research and love what we have found. Let me just say how proud we are to be a part of the history here. We try to give back to the town by helping the Boy scouts and Girl scouts in Bolivar. We are both leaders for them(troop 92)(troop 508). We would love to hear from you about the history of such a town. If you like you can mail us or talk in person some time. If you can contact us to see if you would like to talk to the boy and girlsin our troops to give them a real talk about the true history of our great town.
Hello, Mr. Will! I tried to email you but it was bounced back. Please email me at tnhauntings@writersbeacon.com. I know you from Cub Scouts Troop 92!
Please make note that the photograph was taken by Barbara’s Graphic Touch. (The webmaster for the Pillars) Spring before the 2008 Home Tour. The beveled edge that I put on the picture has been cropped off on the right side. It was beveled for a theme on the Home Tour 2008 page. I also took the picture of The Pillars, and Polk Cemetary through the fence. Please visit http://www.thepillars.org. You can see that all the pictures on the home tour page are all beveled. Thus this is where it orginated. Get Ready for Historic Home Tour 2009 Coming up!
BChambers-Hensley
Photographer
http://wwwbarbarasgraphicdesign.com
Hey, this picture came from another website. You are copyrighting this picture. You need to give credit to the person that took this picture. You took the picture and copy and pasted and just zoomed in. Maybe you shouldnt take what someone else did. You are a liar. take this picture off or put the rightful persons name under the picture.
Why dont you go to the website http://www.thepillars.org and see for yourself.
In reply to Barbara, please visit http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/photos/. Look in the Historic photos and locate the one of the McNeal house. You will see that it is my photo and the two photos are almost exactly the same. I assumed (perhaps wrongfully) that they were indeed the same photo and simply used it thinking it was indeed my original photo. If it bothers you, I will take it down and use my own photo. It was done strictly in error. I am sure you can look at the two photos and see how it was an honest mistake.
In reply to Chris Bland, I am advising you to never attack me on a personal level. In calling me a liar, you have done just that. Ever hear of slander? It would be in your best interest to refrain from making further commentary that is intended to slander my name.
I seen your picture. It is a different picture on the other site. Your picture was taken in early summer with a sun spot on the house. Your picture is greener, more summery.
But I knew my work. Same view different season different photographers. If you would, you could put that I took this picture.
Time is coming for another Historic Home Tour and I just got the word yesterday that The McNeal Place will be in the tour! I think it is a must to see this home! Outside walls are 3 feet think. Hidden outside doors in the home because at that time doors were taxable. They appear to look like windows, but fully open up to make doors! This home will truly take your breath as you see it in all its splendor! Visit http://www.thepillars.org.
BChambers-Hensley
http://www.barbarasgraphicdesign.com
No problem.
I am sure a lot of my readers would be interested in the home tour. If you would send me a press release, I would be happy to post it on my site.
Also, maybe you can answer one of my reader’s questions. A while back, one of my readers wanted to know about the walls in the hallway of this home. I honestly can’t remember and could not locate any photographs of the hallway. Can you verify what type of wall covering is in the hallway?
I have tried to answer, but mail won’t go through.
Fresco is the type of painting on the front hall entrance of The McNeal Place. You can see it in person during the Historic Home Tour 2009. Historic Bolivar Home Tour: April 18-19, 2009
Pre-Order your Historic Bolivar Home Tour Ticket: $18.00 for groups of 10 or more!Regular price $20.00 each.http://www.thepillars.org
Just to let you and your web readers’ know Some of the very old houses in Bolivar will be on a Spring Home tour. The info is below.
Historic Bolivar Home Tour
Date: April 18 – 19, 2009
Hours: Saturday April 18th: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday April 19th: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
A tour of historic architecture in Historic Bolivar, Tennessee. The public is invited to tour these historic homes and buildings, noteworthy due to the fascinating histories and original furnishings dating back to the early settling of Hardeman County. Stroll under the ancient shade trees in this lovely southern neighborhood from antebellum homes to Union Cemetery. Visit the circa 1824 original 2 story log courthouse. Saturday Civil War re-enactors will help you relive historic events and reminisce about by-gone days.
Featured:
The Pillars (circa 1828)
The Columns (circa 1860)
McNeal Place
Magnolia Manor (circa 1849)
Union Cemetery (circa 1857)
United Sons and Daughters of Charity Lodge (formed in 1873, current building 1928)
Presbyterian Church (circa 1853)
The Little Courthouse Museum (1824)
The Paul Nelms House (1975)
Bankheads Battery Civil War Group on grounds of The Pillars on Saturday
Sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities
Tickets may be purchased by mail to APTA, P.O. Box 148, Bolivar, TN 38008. Cost is $20.00 each, (There is a 10% discount for pre-paid tours of 10 or more, seniors and students.) Children under 12 are free.
On the days of the tour tickets will be sold on the grounds of The Pillars (corner of S. Washington and Bills Sts.)
hi…twenty two years ago, I married a man that is a direct decendant to the Mcneal Polk family.. For my honeymoon I stayed at the house for 3 days…From what I understand it had been a very long time since anyone has stayed there.. In awe..I had a great time with my new husband following me everywhere as he was scared of the Spirit that does live there…I felt welcomed… I took many photos, exspecially with me in my wedding gown… but one photo inperticular was outside the home, looking back at her…I saw something…took anouther pic, and went on . Developing the pictures, that pic that I saw something shows a huge light coming from behind the pillars, from inside,,, its so awesome.. I know there is a spirit of the mcneals in that home, probably ann, staying with her daughter,…. Any how…My son carries the Mcneal name as his middle name…thanks…love that home and spirit of MOM