Spring Hill

History

The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee hunted on this land known as Spring Hill. The soil, rich with the decay of prehistoric vegetation, was a natural attraction to wildlife and Native Americans. Settlers coming with land grants for western expansion valued the beauty and fertility of the rolling hills and natural springs. Early settlers venturing out into the west had a strong faith in the land and the future community. Soon, the community was complete with churches, schools, doctors, lawyers, blacksmiths, and merchants.

Beautiful mansions, estates, churches, and plantations created a new landscape. Some of these structures are still standing and reflect the pride of the early people who were the Spring Hill community. Spring Hill, with the advent of the railroad, was an early link to Nashville and its cultural institutions.

Civil War

In 1861, there came the threat of the Civil War. The people of Spring Hill struggled through the occupation of both Union and Confederate troops. The townspeople grew stronger and closer to each other and formed a bond that was difficult for newcomers to understand. The occupation and battle of Spring Hill was a prelude to the famous battle of Franklin.

After the war, even though almost destroyed by tornadoes and fire, the town grew. Spring Hill was known nationally for the breeding of livestock, its rich pastures, agriculture and for its dedication to quality education.

The Battle of Spring Hill – November 29, 1864

Spring Hill was the prelude to the Battle of Franklin. On the night of November 28, 1864, General John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee marched toward Spring Hill to get astride Major General John M. Schofield’s Union army’s life line. Cavalry skirmishing between Brigadier General James H. Wilson’s Union cavalry and Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederate troopers continued throughout the day as the Confederates advanced.

November 29, Hood’s infantry crossed Duck River and converged on Spring Hill. In the meantime, Major General Schofield reinforced the troops, holding the crossroads at Spring Hill. In late afternoon, the Federals repulsed a piecemeal Confederate infantry attack. During the night, the rest of Schofield’s command passed from Columbia through Spring Hill to Franklin. This was, perhaps, Hood’s best chance to isolate and defeat the Union army. The engagement has been described as “one of the most controversial non-fighting events of the entire war.”

Economy

Spring Hill was the site of the Saturn Company production facility, which operated from 1990 to 2007. In 2007, General Motors Corporation (GM), the parent company of Saturn, shut down the facility to retool it for production of other GM vehicles and renamed it Spring Hill Manufacturing.  The plant reopened in February 2008 and became the assembly point for the newChevrolet Trverse. The vehicle assembly part of the Spring Hill plant was idled in late 2009 when production of the Traverse was moved toLansing, Michigan, while production of power trains and metal stamping continued.  In November 2011, GM announced plans for retooling of the vehicle assembly portion of the plant for use as an “ultra-flexible” plant which will initially be used to build the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain but will be designed for rapid retooling to other vehicles of similar size.

Location & Demographics

Spring Hill covers approximately 17 square miles and is located 35 miles south of Nashville, TN. The city is situated within two counties, Maury and Williamson, and is part of the greater Cumberland Region that includes Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties.

Spring Hill’s population grew to 29,036 in 2010, an increase of 276% between 2000 and 2010. Likewise, Spring Hill is projected to grow by another 78% from 2010 to 2030. While growth presents great challenges for Spring Hill, it also generates new opportunities for economic expansion, community development, and quality of life improvements for current and future residents.

Arts and culture

Attractions

Rippavilla Plantation, which is located at 5700 Main Street (TN-31, Columbia Pike, or Nashville Hwy), offers educational activities and an annual corn maze among other attractions.

Education

Schools in Maury County

  • Spring Hill High School (Public)
  • Spring Hill Elementary School (Public)
  • Marvin Wright Elementary School (Public)
  • Spring Hill Middle School (Public)
  • Columbia Academy (Private)

Schools in Williamson County

  • Allendale Elementary (Public)
  • Heritage Elementary (Public)
  • Heritage Middle (Public)
  • Bethesda Elementary (Public)
  • Longview Elementary (Public)
  • Chapmans Retreat Elementary (Public)
  • Independence High (Public)
  • Hillsboro Elementary Middle (Public)
  • Spring Station Middle (Public)
  • Summit High (Public)
  • Spring Hill Academy (Private)

Libraries

Spring Hill Public Library