Shady Hill Commuity
Wilson A. Tuck (1890 - 1972) and his wife Jennie Mae (Shipman) moved their family from Decaturville TN to the Shady Rest community of
Henderson County about 1927. Lucille (Tuck) Jones, their daughter lived in this house for several years. The home is a beautiful place, well kept, attractive, and now owned
by the Middleton-Baker family. The old barn is still standing at this time (2006) , a silent testimony of another time gone by, a reminder to Lucille of the happy years she spent here.
We've been told the barn will soon be torn down.
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Lexington Progress September 14, 1988
History Notes by W.C. Crook Henderson County Historian
While enjoying the beautiful countryside around Scotts Hill, I decided to make my way back to Lexington via the Old Stagecoach Road, a route often taken by traveling notorieties in our county's past. Upon reaching the Shady Hill-Reagan Road, I espied a very pleasant looking two story house with a wrap around porch, Doric columns, and an upper balcony. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a plate glass door with a stained glass transom and side-lights and turned around to photograph the place.
I was very graciously welcomed by the owner, Mr. F. Walker Middleton, and Mr. Tommy Baker, who was busying himself with the grand art of bean shelling.
The Youngerman-Middleton house was built in 1910 by Martin Youngerman, a late immigrant to Henderson County. During construction, one of the builders fell from the back upper story windows and was killed. The house seems little altered from its original condition, sporting fine high ceilings, a rather dapper fireplace and mantle, and the original wood shingles underneath the composition roof. The windows are completed with weights and pulleys for easy rising, and the balcony is guarded by two Doric columns.
In later years, Mr. Youngerman wanted to move closer to his farm and the house was sold to Miss Mollie Buck. It was later sold to Willis Tuck who lived there until purchased by Mr. Middleton in 1942. Following an inside tour of the home, I was delightfully treated to a down-home country luncheon prepared by Ms. Gail Baker who was pleased to fill in the time with different stories about the house and community.
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The Lexington Progress, Wednesday April 10, 1996
Spotlight on Homes Tour this week featured the "Middleton-Molly Buck" Home.
"The white columned two-story home was constructed in 1910 by Martin Youngerman. In 1911 the house was sold to Mrs. Molly Buck, a "rich" widow of Jordan Buck, who had lived in a log house across the road. Mrs. Molly's only son died young an din later years a nephew came to live with her. In 1942, Walker and Eathel Middleton bought it (from Wilson Tuck) and lived in it with their daughters Jean and Gail. After his death in 1989, Gail Middleton Baker and her husband remodeled it to its present form."
