FranklinIs Connected

A Franklin Home with Lots of History

A Franklin Home with Lots of History

Article by Buffie Baril

Photography by Trenton Lee Photography

Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle

You cannot tell the tale of 230 3rd Avenue South in historic downtown Franklin without sharing the story of Walter Aiken Roberts. Mr. Roberts was born June 4, 1865 just two months after the Civil War ended.

Mr. Roberts invested heavily in real estate, but especially on Main Street in Franklin. Known as “The Developer of Main Street” in downtown Franklin, Mr. Roberts owned several buildings on historic Highway 31W. At one time, W.A. Roberts owned 345 Main (White’s Mercantile), 342 and 344 Main (“Hanner Building”), 334 Main (formerly Roberts’ Dry Goods, now The Grilled Cheeserie and Tin Cottage, 326 Main (“Roberts-McGavock” Building), now Imago Dei and the Spice Shop, 236 Public Square (“Roberts Building”), and 137 4th Ave S (former Kroger grocery store). In addition, he and his brother-in-law Alex Ewing co-owned the old Mays Hotel which was later the Post Hotel building, and other real estate throughout Franklin including three farms.

On December 7 1898, Walter Roberts purchased the lot where the Roberts-Moore House resides. The house has changed owners several times but it’s story continues to this day. The current owners are none other than Franklin’s own Mayor Ken Moore and First Lady Linda Crowell Moore.

After Dr. Moore retired from medicine, Linda wanted to move back to her beloved Franklin. She told her husband, “Ken, I want to go home; I want to go back to God’s country.” She realized that life was short and she told Ken, “There is a house for sale on 3rd Avenue with a yard, I want another German Shepherd.”

In 2012, they purchased the historic Roberts House on 230 3rd Avenue South. Linda fell in love with the house as soon as she walked through the front door. They kept the front of the house pretty much the same, but gutted the kitchen and back bedroom areas to make them one level and flow better. It was important to the Moore’s to preserve the original fireplaces, wood floors, doors, and windows. They added a modern kitchen, and enclosed the screened patio to make it a comfortable sunroom twelve months out of the year. With the renovation complete, they were able to get Mike, their loyal German Shepherd, soon after. All of the work on this house is exquisite and compliments this amazing historic home which features original hardwoods, fireplaces, windows, pocket doors, and our favorite feature of all, the charming front door with turn-style doorbell and letter drop.

Living on Franklin’s prestigious 3rd Avenue South has been a delight for Ken and Linda since they purchased the home. Ken can literally walk to work if he wants to since City Hall is just a couple blocks away. You can find Linda opening the gate through the charming white picket fence for her twice-daily strolls with Mike.

In 2013, the home was selected as the Overall Winner for residential rehabilitation by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. We cherish the beauty of this fabulous Queen Anne Victorian in our lovely Franklin.

Mayor Ken and Linda Moore and Dog Jack - Lovely Franklin-1065Roberts Moore House Queen Anne Victorian - Lovely Franklin -1600Walter Aiken Roberts circa 1890 The Developer of Franklins Main Street-1308