“Who would buy that?” was all James Biggerman could say as he stared at the blue tarp adorning the roof of the run-down house nestled on Jefferson Street. The structure wore what appeared to be decades of neglect, as did the lot it resided in.
Turns out, the answer to his question was he and his wife, Jessie. James saw the amount of work and money the house needed. However, Jessie saw the potential and envisioned the Queen Anne home returned to its majestic roots, so a deal was made and their grand adventure began.
Tracking the history of this stately home has been difficult, as the home wasn’t built in the traditional way. The earliest construction was the back of the home, while the front was built later, including the wraparound front porch so well-known for the architectural style. The home was certainly constructed in the late 1800s, but the records have been difficult to track down.
What is known, however, is that the house was built by attorney William Feathergill, who would later die peacefully in his sleep in the home as reported in the Franklin Evening Star on September 22, 1934. Not much else is known about the property until the Franklin Development Corporation took ownership from the city in 2018 and began the search for a new owner interested in preserving the home. Local contractor Jon Conner took on the task.
Conner found the house to be in horrible shape and worthy of demolition, yet the striking image of that wraparound front porch persuaded him to tackle the renovation. The oldest part of the home could not be saved and was torn down completely, and rebuilt in the same footprint and in the same structural styling. It was during this phase that Jessie saw the house and asked James to take a look at it. The home was not yet on the market as it was still uninhabitable.
James’ initial concerns about the condition were tamed by Jessie’s vision, and the quality of the workmanship Conner had already brought to bear. The timing was perfect, they were able to strike a deal to purchase the home, and Conner agreed to finish the home in Jessie’s vision. This included sourcing period-correct materials to complete the new construction, to return the home to its original appearance. Beautiful hardwood flooring was used that perfectly matched the original area of the home, as modern laminate would just not do.
A butler’s pantry was recreated and interior doors had glass windows above them, allowing light to easily pass from room to room. The house is rumored to be the first home in Franklin to have electrical lighting installed.
While it was important to preserve the home to its original appearance, it was to be the Biggermans’ home, so it needed modern comforts as well. The kitchen was remodeled with all new appliances, countertops and and island, but it still gives the vibe of a stately manor from the 1800s. The first floor has a parlor, living room and family room, making it a perfect place to entertain guests. The spacious master bedroom also occupies the first level of the home with a completely modern master bathroom attached. Up the grand hardwood staircase, additional bedrooms can be found, making it a four-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath home.
Jessie is from an artistic family, and the walls of the home are adorned with paintings created by family members, including a watercolor painting by her mother. While she claims to have no training in interior decoration, the home she designed is inviting, as she used neutral colors on the walls – but colorful accents exist wherever you look.
Perhaps the most stunning feature is that gorgeous wraparound porch. Even when the home was in shambles, that porch made the house stand out as special – not only beautiful, but spacious as well, and the Biggermans can often be found sitting on the porch smiling and waving to neighbors.
While initially hesitant, James is happy they took this journey. The quality restoration brought the home back to its original glory, and Jessie’s vision brought the house to life. The process wasn’t complete without a few bumps in the road, but in the end it was all worth it.
One such bump was the original carriage house. Unfortunately decades of rot made it impossible to repair. The Biggermans’ desire to preserve any usable materials meant taking the building down instead of bulldozing it. During this delicate process a beam was removed and the structure unexpectedly collapsed into the alley. Fortunately no workers were injured, but someone did call 911 about a building collapse downtown. The carriage house is now replaced with a detached garage, built to complement the home nicely. The collapse has become a fun story to share with guests while touring the incredible landscaping and rear patio. Thanks to the work from Holeman Landscape and E&M Land Services, the entire property mirrors the beauty of the home.
James and Jessie’s determination to preserve this unique and beautiful home adds to the incredible transformation of the Franklin downtown. As visitors to our city enter on Jefferson Street from U.S. Highway 31, they will surely be welcomed downtown with a wave and smiles from the couple sitting on that incredible Franklin front porch.
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