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Robert Donnell Stanford, Sr.: Developer of Donelson

Donelson, TN (aka Spring Place, Slip-Up and McWhirtersville, per Leona Taylor Aiken)

Robert Donnell (R.D.) Stanford, Sr. (1889-1944) was an important force in the development of Donelson - northeast of Nashville, TN.


After graduation, in 1907, he moved with his brother, A. F. Stanford and parents, to Oklahoma City, OK. They founded Stanford Furniture Co. Two years later, in 1909, R.D. married Eula Myrtle Meredith (1889-1943) of Oklahoma City.


Almost a decade later, in 1918, both brothers and families moved to Nashville and the Donelson area. They purchased about 1,800 acres on Lebanon Pike from ??? to the Cumberland River and east to the Stones River and south on Lebanon Rd. to McCrory Creek Rd - essentially the entire Clover Bottom farm. The land comprised much of the former McGavock, McMurray and Hoggatt's Clover Bottom land. The State of Tennessee bought parcels in the south and east. A.F. took the parcel to the south including the Clover Bottom mansion, and R.D. took the north parcels. R.D. then purchased Bel-Air Mansion and over about 24 years, from 1920-44, he extended the land to McGavock Pike. The brothers shared ownership of Clover Bottom Farm.


He built the Stanford-Guill Building to help commercial growth in the area, and opened Donelson Furniture Co. and Donelson Lumber in 1932. Bluefield subdivision, Fairway Dr. and Hargis Heights were developed to house AVCO management families. In 1936, Stanford purchased the assets of the old Donelson Bank & Trust Co. and reorganized it to the Bank of Donelson. In 1948, his heirs sold the Bank of Donelson to Commerce Union Bank. He was also a director of American National Bank.


Sources:

Donelson, TN: It's History & Landmarks, Leona Taylor Aiken, Kingsport Press




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