Sparta Rock House

Sparta Rock House is a one-story structure built from local sandstone with three bays, positioned along U.S. Highway 70 in White County. The simple construction reflects the typical design of early 19th-century buildings built to serve travelers on long-distance routes.

Barlow Fiske built this structure between 1835 and 1839 to serve as a toll station and rest stop for travelers on the route connecting Knoxville and Nashville. It emerged during the early period of organized American overland transportation.

The name reflects the local sandstone used in its walls, and the space served as a gathering point where travelers from different regions met and purchased supplies. It was a practical rest stop that became embedded in the community's daily rhythms.

The site is easily accessible from the roadside and open to visitors during daytime hours when conditions permit. It helps to check local information beforehand about current access and any seasonal variations in availability.

The building did not simply fade away after its toll-taking days ended but was repurposed as a school from 1880 to 1921 to serve local children. This adaptation demonstrates how rural communities found new roles for buildings as their original purposes became obsolete.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 35.92028,-85.40361

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03