Local expert reviews Campbell Station Inn history: part 2 look

Once again it’s Malcolm Shell, local historian, breaking down the history of Campbell Station Inn, one of Farragut’s landmarks with a more than 200-year history.

This week’s final review, Part 2, takes up with distinguished visitors to the historic Town Inn.



Another visitor was a well-known French botanist, Andre Michaux, who did an extensive recording and categorizing of plants in the area. But the most colorful guest was Louis Phillippe, who would later become King of France. Louis was of the Orleans-Bourbon Dynasty, and during Napoleon’s reign, he was forced to leave France.

He emigrated to America and spent four years in Philadelphia. During those four years, he toured the Southern states and spent several nights at the Inn. Phillippe, known as the “citizen King,” returned to France in 1830 and ruled as the French monarch until 1848 when he abdicated the throne and spent the remainder of his life in England.

During a trade emissary visit to France during Phillippe’s reign, the King asked one of the visitors where he was from. When the visitor replied, “Campbell’s Station,” the King is reported to have said, “Ah, yes. Campbell’s Station. Do they still sleep four to a bed at Campbell’s Station?”

The Inn also played a prominent role during the Civil War battle of Campbell’s Station Fought Nov. 16, 1863, between the Union forces of Gen. Ambrose Burnside and the Confederate forces of Gen. James Longstreet. Both Union and Confederate wounded were treated at the Inn, which was converted to a hospital.

Yes. The Inn has many stories to tell and stands today as a preserved reminder of a proud heritage that both new and long-time residents can enjoy and perhaps remember that they are part of a community that played an important role in settling our frontier and transforming it into the beautiful town we now call home.