Cowan Attractions and Landmarks:
Boiling Fork Park
Enjoy the shady, cool beauty of this natural landmark that brought the original pioneer settlers to Cowan. Boiling Fork Park gladly provides a playground, picnic tables, swings, and a picnic pavilion for your warm weather enjoyment.
For safety reasons, please wear shoes at all times, especially in the water. Please also help us keep the park clean and neat.
Boiling Fork Railroad Bridge
Photo and description coming soon...
City Limits District
Cowan has another business district besides downtown. The City Limits District comprises a group of business on the west side of town. This district represents Cowan's economic growth and adaptation along State Highway 41A. Businesses include Cookie's Corner, Mitchell's Florist, Pour Boys Liquor, Sharp Shopper, and WZYX Radio.
Cowan Center for the Arts
Check our schedule for plays, concerts, lectures, and other cultural activities. Cowan Center for the Arts is also home to Cowan Community School with a full array of classes, workshops and programs for learning and enrichment.
Our facilities are available to the public for conferences, reunions, recitals, and other activities that require a spacious, accessible, and handsome facility with free parking. Visit our website www.cowancenterforthearts.org or call us at 931-691-0722 or 931-962-2356.
Cowan Railroad Museum
Relive the era of steam and steel at Cowan Railroad Museum, housed at the old Cowan Depot.
The Cowan Depot is a wooden architectural gem built in 1904 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Plcaes.
The museum features relics and static displays, two operating model railroad layouts, and a gift shop.
Open May through October, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 to 4 and Sunday 1 to 4.
Visit our website www.cowanrailroadmuseum.org or call us at 931-967-3078.
Click here to read some some interesting articles about the Cowan Depot.
Cowan Railroad Park
As early as 1972, Cowan residents saw a need to showcase the town's railroad heritage. The result of their incredible labor is Cowan Railroad Park. The four quadrant park straddles the railroad and Hwy 41A/Cumberland Street with gazebos, a train viewing platform, historic markers, a replica of Franklin County's First Court House, and, of course, Cowan Railroad Museum at the historic Cowan Depot.
Cowan Railroad Park is the perfect place to relax and watch this busy little town operate. Most Cowan businesses are within a short walk of the Railroad Park.
For safety reasons, please keep a safe distance from the railroad tracks. Please also help us keep the railroad park clean and neat.
Cumberland Mountain Tunnel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Cumberland Mountain Tunnel is one of Cowan's most vitally important landmarks. At the time of its completion in 1851, Cumberland Mountain Tunnel was the longest railroad tunnel in the entire world. It's careful handcrafted construction is still regarded as an amazing accomplishment.
Although the tunnel is not accessible to the public, many wonderful photos are on display at Cowan Railroad Museum. Several articles in the history section of this website also mention the tunnel.
Franklin County's First Court House
Cowan's railroad history isn't the only thing on display in Cowan Railroad Park. It's also home to a replica of Major William Russell's log cabin home that served as Franklin County's First Court House in the early 1800's. The cabin was built by the Cowan Bell newspaper in 1975 and furnished with antiques representing the pioneer era.
A tri-fold leaflet is available at the cabin that tells the story of Major William Russell. While you're there, please consider making a small donation to help offset the cost of future repairs.
Click here to read some interesting articles about Franklin County's First Court House.
Historic Downtown Cowan
Cowan's commercial district dates back to the building of the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga in 1852. What began as merely a depot, retail store, post office and hotel in 1858 grew into one of the most prosperous retail centers in Middle Tennessee in the 1940's at the Golden Age of Rail Travel. In this timeframe, Cowan had all kinds of retail storefront plus a movie theater.
Downtown Cowan declined with the railroad and by the turn of the 21st Century was almost a wasteland of empty, abandoned buildings and other signs of neglect. Then, one by one, building were bought, restored, and new businesses opened. With the drive of local citizens and investors, today's Cowan commercial district features restaurants, specialty shops, a historic hotel, professional offices, a bank, and is only two blocks away from a performing arts center located in an old church.
Perhaps the most enjoyable feature of downtown Cowan is the historic railroad park featuring a replica of Franklin County's First Court House as well as the famous Cowan Railroad Museum.
Monterey Station
Monterey Station is a 30,000 square foot industrial building that was recently converted into a mixed use EXPO Center and event complex. The historic building dates back to the 1920's and at one time held one of Franklin County's top employers - General Shoe Company, also known as Genesco.
Monterey Station is available for weddings, concerts, trade shows, business expo's, and other special events. The facility is fully accessible, climate controlled, and has plenty of free parking near the main entrance. Contact Cowan Development Company at (931) 967-1560 for more information.