The Valleyist Papers
A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY
Author – William Ray
Edition 4. Issue 8.
The name Montgomery Bell is one that we see a lot around here. There is the state park named for him just to our west, near Dickson, and there is the school named for him just to our east on West End near 440 Parkway. The Harpeth River State Park near Kingston Springs is also there because of Montgomery Bell. Since we see this name so often, perhaps we should talk some about who he was and how he has impacted our neighborhood.
Montgomery Bell was a pioneering industrialist whose contributions to the early development of Middle Tennessee were both profound and enduring. Often referred to as the “Iron Master of the Harpeth,” Bell played a pivotal role in the growth of the region’s economy during the early 19th century. His legacy is most notably marked by two major achievements: the construction of an innovative tunnel through a bluff of the Harpeth River, and the establishment of a school that would later evolve into one of the state's most prestigious educational institutions. It could be said that the financial success of the former, begat the latter.
The Iron Industry and the Harpeth River Tunnel
Montgomery Bell moved to Middle Tennessee from Pennsylvania in the early 1800s and quickly recognized the region's untapped potential in natural resources, particularly iron ore. At a time when iron was essential for tools, construction, and weaponry, Bell capitalized on the rich iron deposits in the area, purchasing and operating several ironworks, including the Cumberland Furnace and Pattison Forge.
The Montgomery Bell Tunnel, which is an engineering marvel, was used to power Pattison Forge. It is located in a segment of Harpeth River State Park, north of the town of Kingston Springs. In this area, the Harpeth River undergoes a series of meanders. In one of these, two parts of the river are quite close after a lengthy oxbow bend, known as the Narrows of the Harpeth. The tunnel runs roughly north-south across this isthmus. It is 290 feet in length and was dug entirely through limestone rock. Neither the tunnel nor its portals are lined in any way. The tunnel's profile shape is that of a rectangle topped by a segmented arch, and it is generally 8 feet high and 15 feet wide.
Montgomery Bell purchased the land in this area in 1818. Recognizing the potential to apply waterpower to the process of producing wrought iron, he directed the construction of this tunnel, which facilitates use of a 16-foot drop in river height for power generation.
The tunnel is the first known example in the United States of a "full-scale" water diversion tunnel. It is also apparently the first "full-scale" tunnel of any type in the United States. The tunnel is the only feature of Bell's iron works to survive; not surviving are a dam, head race, and the iron foundry itself, as well as Bell's house, which was built nearby.
During the 1930s, the land in this area was leased to the Boy Scouts of America for use as a summer camp. It was deeded to the state in 1978.
The Harpeth River tunnel is considered one of the oldest industrial sites in Tennessee and represents early American ingenuity and industrial ambition. Today, it is preserved within the Harpeth River State Park and recognized as a National Historic Landmark, offering a tangible reminder of the early industrial efforts that helped shape the region. The Harpeth River State Park is just 15 miles away from us near Kingston Springs and is quite an educational site to visit.
There you can see the entrance to the tunnel he constructed to harness the flow of the Harpeth River for power production and use in his iron works. As an interesting aside, In the late evening, on September 2, 2011, a fire was lit in the tunnel. The amount of driftwood from 2010's flood in the tunnel enlarged the fire. The fire was eventually extinguished in the early hours of the morning. The tunnel, and the road passing over it, were damaged. It and the road were stabilized, however, and Montgomery Bell Tunnel is again safe.
Educational Legacy: The Founding of Montgomery Bell Academy
Beyond his industrial achievements, Montgomery Bell also left a lasting legacy in the field of education. Though not formally well-educated himself, Bell understood the value of learning and wished to support future generations. Upon his death in 1855, he bequeathed a significant portion of his estate to the state of Tennessee to establish a school for orphaned boys.
This endowment led to the creation of the Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) in 1867 in Nashville. Initially a boarding school for boys who had lost their fathers during the Civil War, MBA evolved over the years into one of the premier college preparatory schools in the South. Known for its academic excellence, leadership training, and civic engagement, MBA continues to carry forward Bell’s vision of empowering young men through education.
Montgomery Bell's impact on Middle Tennessee cannot be overstated. Through his iron industry innovations and investments, he helped lay the economic foundation for the region's development in the 19th century. His foresight in education created opportunities for young people that extended far beyond his lifetime. Both the Harpeth River tunnel and Montgomery Bell Academy stand as lasting monuments to his ambition, ingenuity, and commitment to progress. In these contributions, Bell’s influence continues to be felt across Middle Tennessee to this day.
Here is the customary listing of upcoming musical events in our region:
July 26 Soul Sacrifice - Santana Tribute Band - Williamson County Performing Arts
July 31 Cheekwood Thursday Night Out - St. Owsley
July 31 Billy Joel Tribute - Franklin Theater
August 2 Rod Stewart Tribute - Williamson County Performing Arts Center
August 6 The Happy Together Tour - Ryman Auditorium
August 7 SV Music at the pool
August 7 Cheekwood Thursday Night Out - Charleston "Wigg" Walker
August 8. Full Moon Picking Party - Percy Warner Park
August 8. Child's Anthem (Toto Tribute Band) - Franklin Theater
August 14 Chris Isaac - Ryman Auditorium
August 14 Rod Stewart - Ascend Ampitheater
August 20 Teddy Swims - Ascend Ampitheater
August 21 Tiger Beats - Cheekwood Thursday Night Out
August 22 Allison Krauss - Ascend Ampitheater
August 23 Songwriters Under the Stars - Cheekwood
August 23 ELO Tribute Band, Turn to Stone - Williamson County Performing Arts
August 28 McKinley James - Cheekwood Thursday Night Out
August 30 Crosby, Stills & Nash Tribute Band (Laurel Canyon Band) - Williamson County Performing Arts Center
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