“Turnersville, in the Seventh Civil District, was formerly of considerable importance as a shipping point for tobacco, etc., but since the building of the railroad the business has passed to other points. The place took its name from Maj. Turner. The first store was opened by William Bell in 1820. About 1846 a Masonic lodge was organized, but in 1858 it was removed to Port Royal, Montgomery County. The only store in the place is now conducted by E. J. Rawls. The physicians are J. R. & J. W. Dunn and E. J. Rawls.” (The History of Robertson County with Biographical Appendix Reprinted from GOODSPEED’S HISTORY OF TENNESSEE Originally Published 1886)
In 1835, the northern route of the Trail of Tears led through this small community. The Cherokees were marched down what is now Burgess Gower Road past Coopertown City Hall (see GC7X0HB – Welcome to Coopertown), then down Turnersville Road and turned up what is now Edd Ross Road toward Port Royal.
A Rand McNally atlas of 1895 showed Turnersville had a post office and 20 residents. A stagecoach line ran from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, through Port Royal, Turnersville, Coopertown and on to Nashville. That business ended and indeed the road itself faded away; only short segments remain. Today all three towns are small farming communities. The post offices are long gone as well.
There is a small parking area beside the old cemetery on James Stone Road over the little creek about 50 feet from the cache (the cache is not in the cemetery). Although this is a very quiet country road, use caution with children and pets. Day time caching only, please.