Marrowbone

The ridges and valleys of Marrowbone occupy an outstretched leg of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a landscape known as the Highland Rim. Life is quieter here – at least in comparison to roaring Music City, located just 10 miles southeast. Though Nashville’s suburbs typically cater to commuters and high-powered professionals with access to the transit system, this final frontier of Davidson County is home to sweeping acres of farmland and a humble community known for its locally grown produce. “I’m in my own little world over here,” says Michael Allison, owner of Nashville Glassblowing and a 15-year resident. “I think a lot of us are like that.”

Wooded hollows of homes burrowed deep in the countryside have unpaved driveways, unseen from the main roads they diverge from. These winding two-lane thoroughfares are the only way around, so most residents are entirely car dependent. Nashville International Airport is conveniently 20 miles away via Ashland City Highway. Instead of sidewalks in Marrowbone, roadside greenery and miles-long telephone wires accompany the occasional silo, peering out over the leafy horizon. But the region’s stark contrast to Nashville’s buzzing, urban atmosphere is intentional, Allison explains. “This area of Davidson County was developed last, so it’s not developed at all. And people want to keep it that way.”

Homesteads bountiful with fresh fruit and vegetables accompany pastures for horses, cattle and chickens. Ranch-style homes fashioned with brick and panel siding sit beside Craftsman homes and Cape Cods with small gardens and shrubbery with prices ranging from $300,000 to $700,000. Land is highly sought after in Marrowbone, as well as its neighboring hubs of Scottsboro and Bells Bend, with lots going for $30,000 to nearly $3 million depending on size and location. “There are quite a number of family farms around here, growing produce and selling it at markets and restaurants,” Allison continues. “They take their food down to the city for farmers markets, and every week we get produce from the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).”

As part of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools District, Marrowbone’s students begin their education at Joelton Elementary School (JES). Earning an 8/10 on GreatSchools, JES offers guitar lessons to third and fourth graders, among other unique programs like the student news crew. Haynes Middle School provides students with medical science classes through partnerships with universities like Vanderbilt and Tennessee State. Brick Church Middle School is considered a LEAD school, meaning it’s part of Nashville’s initiative to provide students with a quality education regardless of where they’re zoned to attend. And Whites Creek High School offers advanced academic courses in subjects like alternative energy and agriscience – ideal for its surrounding rural community.

Though folks like Allison may prefer to seek outdoor recreation in the comfort of their own acres-wide backyards, Marrowbone and its neighboring areas are abundant with parks, creeks and trails. “A lot of locals like to go to Beaman Park, or Marrowbone Lake for fishing,” he says. “Even just taking drives through the country is so scenic.” Beaman Park is a nearly 2,000-acre natural area, home to Creekside Trailhead, where the Henry Hollow Loop and Laurel Woods trails branch out. Marrowbone Lake contains catfish and trout for those with fishing licenses. And the Scottsboro Community Club provides a wooden playground and pirate ship for children, alongside a basketball court and picnic pavilion.

Joelton Hardware, Feed & Farmacy takes the word “community” seriously, offering food co-ops, live music, a locally sourced dining menu and an actual hardware store. Try the Reuben with fresh-cut fries or browse the store for a wide variety of amenities. Tony’s Foodland is a small business with a small-town feel and the closest available grocery store. Nashville Glassblowing, owned and operated by Allison, sits in a cattle barn converted into a studio space. With classes nearly every day of the week, locals and out-of-towners can stop by for custom pieces, repairs and creative date nights. Bull Run Bees is a family-owned bee farm producing raw, unfiltered honey sold at local markets and pop-ups. And Flowers’ Garden Center has served the area since 1928, open during the spring and summer to sell annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs.

Written By

Dana Chesser

Photography Contributed By

Chase Brock

Video By

Luke Mancari