August 2019

What is there to do in Red Boiling Springs? How many times have you been asked that question? What is so special about Red Boiling Springs? The shortest and best answer is the citizens. Warm, friendly, welcoming; all describe the folks that call Red Boiling Springs home. Let’s look at a few of them:

The RBS Volunteer Fire Department – Not only do they train and are willing to help in all kinds of emergency situations and fires, but each year they sponsor several community events. During the summer, the downtown area is filled with antique vehicles as part of the RBS Fire Department annual car show. Each Labor Day weekend, they host the community at the Duck Day Festival and that evening a beautiful fireworks display. They also support other events with traffic and parking concerns and just being there, in case they are needed.

Three Historic Hotels – Remaining from the hey-day of Red Boiling Springs are three historic hotels now operating as bed and breakfast hotels and more. The Armour’s Red Boiling Springs Hotel is host to several community meetings and events throughout the year. The Armour’s has the only historic mineral bathhouse still operating in Tennessee, coupled with the availability of Licensed Massage Therapists.

The Thomas House is home to dinner theatre shows six times or more a year. They also host ghost hunting weekends several times during the year. Which is only right, since the hotel is believed to be inhabited by the ghost of a former resident, 8-year-old Sarah and several others. The Cole family welcomes guests year-round.

The oldest of the hotels, the Donoho Hotel has experienced in the last few years some renovation and updating. Now a beautiful wedding venue, the hotel staff serves lunch two Sundays each month. The Donoho Entertainment Center at the back of the property, has hosted concerts and other community events from 50^th Anniversary celebrations to auction benefits.

Somewhere to eat – Red Boiling Springs offers a variety of eateries. Big Ed’s BBQ offers pulled pork and all the fixin’s. For a different BBQ flavor, Lone Star BBQ opened it doors a year or so ago serving a taste of Texas beef brisket and other meats with a menu of side dishes. Bray’s Dinner Time family restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch, offers family-style, meat and three fare. Manantial Mexican Restaurant serves up south-of-the border, TexMex meals. Of course, all three hotels offer home-cooking served family-style to there guests and for special events.

Don’t forget the gift shops and antique stores – The Thomas House is filled with antiques and other collectibles. Raggedy Fran’s offers handcrafts and collectibles. Jesse T’s is home to all sorts of memorabilia and collectible items. Grandpa’s House, located on the Ritter Farm, is a museum celebrating farm life and a gift shop featuring work by a variety of local artists and crafters.

Memories and More, in the Hillwood Shopping Center, is a bulging storehouse of  antiques; glassware, furniture, paintings and more. The RBS Florist is much more than flowers. Gifts of all kinds are available. The Step Back in Time Shop also offers work by local artists, crafters, storytellers and songwriters. Several classes for the community is also part of the Step Back monthly schedule. Sunshine Decor’s  RBS location offers home decor, clothing, furniture, etc. and custom t-shirts that many times features the local zip code.

Don’t stop now – Red Boiling Springs has been home for 63 years to the Annual Middle Tennessee Regional AACA Fall Meet. This event and the annual Folk Medicine Festival bring a couple thousand visitors to the small community. Then there are the Bio-dynamic Conferences and other events sponsored by The Barefoot Farmer.

I know a place where people can go to relax and escape the busyness and worry of their day-to-day commitments. I know a place where cell phones don’t have reliable service, which suits the guests just fine. I know a place where folks can walk on a track or through a quiet park. I know a place where sitting on a veranda with a book and cool drink is the most pleasant spot in the whole world. I know a place that matters.

#This place matters

*Thank you, Petula Clark, 1965