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
ï‚· Hours: Saturday April 18th: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday April 19th: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
ï‚· 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:
ï‚· The Pillars (circa 1828)
ï‚· The Columns (circa 1860)
ï‚· McNeal Place
ï‚· Magnolia Manor (circa 1849)
ï‚· Union Cemetery (circa 1857)
ï‚· United Sons and Daughters of Charity Lodge (formed in 1873, current building 1928)
ï‚· Presbyterian Church (circa 1853)
ï‚· The Little Courthouse Museum (1824)
ï‚· The Paul Nelms House (1975)
ï‚· Bankheads Battery Civil War Group on grounds of The Pillars on Saturday
ï‚· Sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities
ï‚· 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.
ï‚· 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
The McNeal House is one of the most beautiful homes I’ve ever seen PERIOD. The fact that it is still in the family and most of the furnishings are original is just amazing. This year the McNeal house will be included on the APTA’s tour of homes. If you can, you NEED to come see this house and the others on the tour! The McNeal House alone is worth the price of the tour tickets. Last year, I was asked to be a docent at the McNeal house (a huge honor) and I had the opportunity to see inside this magnificent home for the second time in my life. It’s a huge thrill for me! On one of the mantles in the main parlors there is a plate that was part of the James K Polk Presidential set! I wanted to see the back of the plate but I wouldn’t dare touch it for fear of breaking it. What a piece of history!
This year’s tour has moved from the third weekend in April to May 15th, 2010. Mark that on your calender! Don’t miss it! Tickets are still just $20.00 per person. All proceeds benefit the Hardeman County APTA. There’s more info on the tour at http://www.thepillars.org/default.html
I’m not in the APTA I just appreciate what they do and proud to help out when I can.
you can go to Tennessee State Library and Archives website , scroll over the Digital Collections tab then click on TSLA photograph database and then in the search box of that section type Bolivar TN. you can see pictures of McNeal House and of Pollks Graves. actually type in anyplace in Tn and it will try to match your search with a photo. you may have to scroll through alot to get there but it is a cool site.
The Bolivar, TN Home Tour May 15! It will be a “Kitchen and Sampler II Cookbook” Tour! One Day Only! Tickets are $20.00. Begins at 10:00-5:00! Home Tour May 15! Each house will have a section of the Cookbook and our cooks will be providing food with recipes out of the book for guest to test!
Includes: The Pillars, McNeal Place, Paul Nelms Home, Ingram Hall, The Crawford Home’s newly designed outdoor kitchen, and Magnolia Manor!
Cookbooks will also be sold at 10% Discount that day only!
Discounts are available for seniors and tour groups.
Please call 731-518-7148 for more information.
Does anyone know of any history concerning “The Little Cottage”?
I am jerelyn Dalys daughter… she previously posted on here wen i was young… i currently have in my possession pictures of the house and the family from the 1800,s and i currently have diaries from james k polk and the mr mcneal. all of the binding is good and in tact with some wear and tear to the leather covers. i want to sell some of them. please email me at invidiilo@aol.com
Concerning the “The Little Cottage”…
Please contact Cissye Pierce e-mail: bigmama4@bellsouth.net She is the Hardeman County APTA President and will give you any infomation you need about the history of the “Little Cottage”.
Barb Chambers-Hensley
Webmaster for The Pillars and Little Courthouse
I am curious as to what the writer Donna Hamer is refering to when she asks about “The little cottage”? Does this refer to one of the outbuildings on the grounds of McNeal Place? I am interested because I spent some time living in one of them (which I understood once served as slaves quarters) as a very young child with my maternal grandmother, Leale Polk in the early 1960’s. We were guests of the property owner, Mrs. Irene McDonnell. I am a descendant of the Polks due to my grandmother’s marriage into that family. She passed away in 1971 and is buried in Polk Cemetery.
I would be interested in any information you could provide about the property and especially this small outbuilding.
I can be contacted at phampton@lbaop.org
I need directions desperately….can’t find….wedding l0/16 at 3:00 coming from memphis…PLEASE REPLY
Interested in the history of the McNeal house, because I AM a McNeal AND my family on my father’s side was from Bolivar, and my mom’s family is from Jackson. Don’t know if related, just find it odd having the name AND family from there. We could have been slaves at some time? Don’t know. Very curious. Valerie McNeal
Anybody that knows anything please email me.
OK, Y’all…I guess maybe it’s cool to have some connection, large or small, to the incredible family of Polks’, McNeals’ and McDonnells’ who have owned this home since it’s beginning, and if your name is any of the above and you are from Bolivar I bet your are related; cheers! Now It is your turn to do something astonishing for the future of mankind….get goin’! To be a member of this family is an important responsibility. Those of you who wish to establish a relationship great, we can use another brilliant, selfless individual to inspire and lead. I am just a friend of this amazingly important family whose every generation has made a positive impact on our life and times. My advise to “new” relations……STAND UP OR STAND DOWN!
CLH
since 1970
PS
Yes, McNeal Place is haunted. I am a witness, but a witness who loves a good scare and who recognizes that spirits, sprites and other energy forms are harmless if you believe and admire in wonder.
Anyone who lives in Bolivar obviously knows that the Mcneal house (and Magnolia Manor and other places) is haunted. My dad and I were driving past it at night and the door was wide open but when we circled around it was closed. I’ve seen a young woman standing in the window, just staring. And at the Polk Cemetery you can (hopefully) see orbs of lights passing through and sometimes apparitions will appear. Bolivar is filled with amazing historic..and haunted… places!