Kingston Springs, Tennessee

Kingston Springs is one of many quiet, small towns in Middle Tennessee. The community of nearly 3,000 residents sits along a bend in the Harpeth River between US Highway 70 and Interstate 40 west of Nashville.

The Fillin' Station is a very popular venue for live music and good eats.

It, like many of the exurban communities surrounding Nashville, has a small yet charming downtown. Home to a mix of small cafes, specialty shops, and, of course, live music, Kingston Springs is classic Middle Tennessee.

Because of its proximity to the Harpeth River, there are many outdoor pursuits available in Kingston Springs. One of the more popular locations in Kingston Springs is L.L. Burns Park. The park has numerous walking trails, a splash pad, and even a disc golf course. Harpeth River State Park and Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area are minutes from town.

This friendly fellow - a wood carving by a local artist - has become an ambassador of Downtown Kingston Springs.

Near L.L. Burns Park is the former Pinnacle Hill Road Bridge. The abandoned bridge over the Harpeth River first served as a railroad bridge before becoming a narrow automobile bridge in the 1920s.

The historic bridge consists of two separate pieces. First, the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railroad built a two-span pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge in 1898. In 1911, an additional span was constructed - a plate girder bridge by the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company.

The former Pinnacle Hill Road Bridge in Kingston Springs

In 1922, the railroad built a more modern deck girder bridge to the immediate south. Cheatham County then converted the old rail NC&STL bridge to accommodate vehicular traffic. The bridge could only allow one lane of traffic to and from Kingston Springs over the Harpeth River and up Pinnacle Hill to US 70.

In the mid-1980s, the old bridge was replaced by a newer span to the south, allowing two lanes of traffic to cross the Harpeth. The old bridge still stands as of March 2024.

Every Saturday Morning during the Summer, Kingston Springs runs their Farmers & Artisans Market. The community is home to numerous artists - whether in music, crafts, or cooking. Their talents are on display here.

In October, L.L. Burns Park hosts the Art in the Park Festival. A free all-day event - the festival attracts hundreds of visitors to the park and Kingston Springs.

All photos taken by post author - December 2010.

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