Cragfont

Cragfont is a two-story residence set on a rocky bluff, built with classical Federal architecture featuring large symmetrical windows in its limestone walls. The house displays carefully crafted details throughout its rooms and has been preserved for visitors to explore.

Construction of the house began in 1798 and finished in 1802, with skilled craftspeople brought specifically from Maryland to oversee the work. The building marks an important moment in frontier settlement and the development of the region.

The rooms display how the Winchester family lived on the frontier, with period furnishings that reflect daily domestic life of the early 1800s. A traditional weaving room in the basement shows the crafts and skills that people practiced at home.

The house is located on Cragfont Road and is open to visitors through guided tours arranged by Historic Castalian Springs. It is helpful to check tour availability in advance, as the house does not operate on a walk-in basis.

Behind the main house sits a family burial ground where General James Winchester, a founder of Memphis, is buried. This private cemetery on the property reveals the family's connection to the broader founding of the region.

Location: Castalian Springs

GPS coordinates: 36.40460,-86.34217

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06