Pope’s Tavern

Indeed "if these walls could talk" there would be countless breath-taking stories to be heard at Pope’s Tavern.

The structure is one of the oldest in Florence and has taken on many forms during the years, including a frontier stagecoach stop. It was also once a popular tavern and inn.

Perhaps the most famous guest at Pope’s Tavern was Andrew Jackson, who stopped there on his way to the Battle of New Orleans. The building is technically on Hermitage Drive in downtown Florence, but the road was once known at Jackson Military Road in recognition of Jackson’s trip through the area on his way to New Orleans in late 1814.
Pope’s Tavern also served as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War, depending on which army controlled the area at the time.

Today, Pope’s Tavern is a museum that houses memorabilia and antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. On display are also a large collection of Civil War memorabilia, pioneer artifacts and numerous documents relating to local history.