A Preliminary Visit to Antiques in Elizabethton

I had strolled this lovely little small town shopping district back in December.  It was a cold and dreary early morning Sunday.  DIL#2 and I had a delicious breakfast at Southern Restaurant.  First rule of shopping for antiques, enjoy the local food!

Then, we window shopped the small cluster of antique shops. Sadly they were all closed. Covid has really taken its toll on small mom and pop businesses and it was blatantly obvious on Elk Street.  We did enjoy the limited views through the storefront windows of all of the treasures that were just out of our reach. 

And that time certainly placed the area up on the list of places to revisit in the spring.

I’m was dying to get inside of these little shops.  Zoom in on the detail on this mirror!

Even the local coffee shop has charm and antiques and…honey!

While no shops were open, we did a walking tour of the historic markers and monuments.  It was quite lovely.  I share some highlights at the end of this post.

The Return Trip:  Actually Shopping for Antiques

Today we returned with #2 in tow.  It was probably 4:30PM when we arrived and with a 6PM closing time for the shops, we promptly got to our mission.

I’m drawn to so many things and when I enter a shop, I simply must see everything.  I’m always drawn to glass, French antiques, all furniture, kitchen anything, and everything primitive.  So #2 and DIL#2 are always aisles ahead of me.  At some point I’m sure they make a second pass.  And they always end up near the entrance giggling and patiently waiting for me. 

My First Find

The first shop we browsed was Picket Fence Antiques.  This store, like many, had vendors who rent spaces. There was a great variety of incredible finds at Picket Fence.  My first purchase was this grain scale for $7.  She reminds me of my MIL who kindled and inspired my love for country primitives.

  I said my weakness is glass.  So when I saw this RED bottle, I almost tripped over myself trying to get to it. 

I’ve had a bottle tree since before I opened The Blue Building Antiques back in 2009.  But authentic red bottles are so rare.  This bottle is Red Ruby Anchor Glass per the bottom.  The markings on the bottle can identify the maker and help date the item.

So many great finds and good prices too!

I’ve never seen a double ice cube tray!  Have you??

The second store we shopped was a two story shop!  This gem had some incredible antique furniture pieces.  I saw this beauty and she was only $159. 

And yes, I should have bought it!  She’s now haunting me.

Here are a few other beauties from the same shop.  I should have bought this basket!

How about this beautiful grain box???  I need one of these!  Didn’t know it until today.

There were some gorgeous primitives!

If you are looking for replacement chimneys, head to Elizabethton!

And I would not be me if I didn’t share the icon on one of these trips!

As you probably are aware, I’m a BLUE girl.  Always have been.  Combine cobalt blue with glass and, well, enough said.  This little bottle just pulled me in. 

I have never seen one with the lid!  Score!

And, you might know that since updating My Tuscan Inspired Kitchen, copper is yet another weakness.  So this little beauty had to come home with me.

She still has the label on the bottom.  It is not familiar to me so I will do some research that should help determine her age.

Last and Best Find of the Day

My last find was this darling tiny chest. 

I’m envisioning her all chippied up sitting on my kitchen counter.  Perhaps she will hold some tea. 

Or maybe she can be the solution for the loose mail scattered across the kitchen counter that drives Mr. Blu into a frenzy.  The oil based paint is the best to get a chippy look out of so that will be a project for the driveway on a warmer day.

We strolled the rest of the street and peeked into the closed shops which just intrigued me more.  I’ll have to make some calls before my next trip.  I must gain access!  I must see the treasures inside!  I’ll keep you posted!

Until then, antique on my vintage loving friends!

Sites and Sights in Elizabethton TN

Here are some more shots of this quaint little Tennessee town from my first visit for you to enjoy.  And here is a brief history of Elizabethton. 

This little town is filled with gorgeous old homes! 

I highly recommend the walking tour.  We saw the lovely war memorials.  Very impressive and solemn.  I suppose we walked for about 30-45 minutes.  We started at the creek and the covered bridge.  Just past the covered bridge was a side street that runs parallel to Elk, where the shops are located.  There were so many beautiful homes.  A few were even being updated.  We circled onto the main street (Elk) where we peeked into the shop windows.  And we ended up back at the water where we had parked.  

I guess I spent a total of about 6 hours in Elizabethton.  But it was enough to make me want to return and continue shopping for antiques!  

If you are looking for great places to find antiques in Tennessee, here are a few post from some antique loving friends.  They’ve identified some incredible shops and markets!

Bristol Tennessee/Virginia with Sadie Seasongoods

Nashville Flea Market, Nashville Tennessee with Petticoat Junction

Nashville Tennessee with Sadie Seasongoods

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Yesterday I ran to Tractor Supply Company in Montevallo for dog food. On the way there I passed the Alabama National Cemetery. I simply love to walk through old cemeteries, especially those with antique headstones and monuments. I still get chills thinking about my visits to Arlington National Cemetery as well. Being the daughter of a veteran, I have developed a great reverance for our patriots, our American heroes. Honor and respect were a large part of my childhood. We are a family that always celebrated Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

So having just returned home from my Dad’s beautiful cemetery service where the Army sent a honor guard to perform the graveside ceremony, my reverence for our military was particularly high. Why not? I pulled into the cemetery, parked and walked through the rows of pristine white stones. Some had flags. Some had flowers. I felt the solidarity and unity of these resting souls who were devoted soldiers of our beloved nation. I was surrounded by American heroes!

A View to Remember

I took a few photos with my phone. I read a few of the inscriptions on the markers. There were mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives, nieces and nephews, grandmoms and grandpops. Each marker was inline with the ones next to, behind, and in front of it. The vivid rows of grass were pristine and made the markers seem to glow in the Alabama sun.

A New Friend

I paid my respects and headed back to my van. It had rained the previous day and as my luck would go, I stepped right into a patch of mud. I was wiping my shoe against the grass and didn’t notice the dignified man as he approached. “I’m so sorry it’s a little muddy today,” he said, in a truly sincere voice. Surprised by his sudden appearance and even more by the regret in his voice, I told him it was ok as it was just a little mud.

I offered my hand and introduced myself as I asked, “Are you the caretaker of this wonderful place?” He replied with a laugh, “I’m Woody, and I am the the director here.” He told me that he walks the grounds in the mornings and ensures the reverence of the cemetery. He was sweaty and muddy, the sure sign of a hands-on kind of guy. He continued, “Then I go back into the office and put on the suit and take care of that side of the business.”

I don’t remember his last name and some of the exact details of our converstion escape my memory, but we chatted for about ten minutes. During that time, Woody told me that there are many sections to the cemetery. There are over 8,000 individuals buried here. There is an honor area, an area for cremated individuals, and few other special areas that again I don’t recall. I should have taken notes but I was caught up in the way this man spoke, the pride in his voice, the honor with which he spoke of even the smallest details at this hallowed, honorable site.

A Little History

 Woody offered that servicemen and women were buried here along with their spouses. They had just buried a young man from Calera. And they were responsible for many types of services and many unique services as well. He told me of a young soldier who, back in 1956, was on his way to Okinawa when his plane went down and everyone on board was killed. The young man’s mother would never accept that her son had perished. Thus, his 7 siblings had never laid their brother to rest. Not too long ago, after the mother had passed, the siblings came to Woody and requested his help in honoring their brother. A ceremony was conducted and honors bestowed on the memory of this young soldier. Woody described the sight of the remaining siblings some 60 years later standing graveside with each of their hands on the casket. My heart reacted and a smile crossed my face. And I realized, I was speaking to an angel!

Caretaker of our Patriots

Angels come in many forms, in many shapes, in many sizes and many ages. They are purposely placed in our lives at the right time for a very specific purpose. You see, I’ve had some experience with angels recently. I’ll be writing more about them soon. But in this moment, in this place, I was in awe at the power this man could channel. There pride was in every word he spoke. He was not only the literal caretaker of this lovely, reverent place. He was caretaker of so much more, He was the ultimate director and the perfect person for the task of ensuring the dignified and honorable repose of our heroes.

I’m certain that, had I stayed an hour, Woody would regale me with an unending recount of similar stories. A man like Woody remembers every detail, every name, and takes great pride in sharing them daily. It’s his honor and his duty. I’m so thankful that I turned into what appeared to be just a small yet official cemetery poignantly located on Rt. 119 between Alabaster and Montevallo. And today, as I don my Red White and Blue, I’m thankful for angels like Woody at the Alabama National Cemetery who make it their life’s mission to protect the dignity, to ensure the repose, and to honor the memory of our precious veterans who secured the freedom we enjoy today through their service years ago.

So, if you ever find yourself on Rt. 119 traveling between Alabaster and Montevallo Alabama, pull on in to the Alabama National Cemetary. Shake Woody’s hand. And thank him for his service.

You can find more information on the Alabama National Cemetery on their website HERE or on their Facebook page.

Below I am including some pictures of my favorite service men and women.

Jay Garvey
US Army
SJB Family

Bernard Aloysius Strain
US Navy
Lyceum Avenue Family

I am still gathering pictures of my other favorite veterans in uniform so please check back for an update of these heroes.

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