Long Description : The Lotz House is the perfect complimentary companion to both the historic Carter House, Historic Carnton Plantation and the McGavock Confederate Cemetery. It takes only 110 short steps to walk from the front door of the Lotz House to the front door of the Carter House located directly across the street, and Carnton is just one mile away.
The house, which has been on the National Historic Register since 1976, is located in the heart of downtown historic Franklin, Tennessee at “the epicenter” of the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle in the Civil War on November 30, 1864.
On the night of November 29, 1864, approximately 20,000 Union soldiers retreated from Spring Hill, Tennessee into Franklin, Tennessee. These troops quickly dug protective trenches and made barricades with everything they could get their hands on, including the Lotz white picket fence. When the Lotz family awakened on the morning of November 30, in effect the Union Line had been established in their front yard! They sought refugee in the brick basement of the Carter House, a home across the street. After the battle The Lotz house served as a hospital for the wounded soldiers on both sides. To this day, one can step into the Lotz House and see numerous blood stains in all of the rooms. The house itself suffered severe battle damage, but as the structure served as Lotz’ “show house,” he was quick to make repairs. However, some of the battle scars do remain. During the battle a solid shot cannon ball crashed through the roof, smashing into the floor of an upstairs bedroom and down to the first floor. The large repaired patch made by Mr. Lotz remains in the second floor. And on the first floor where the cannon ball finally came to rest one can clearly see where the hot lead ball first hit, burning the floor then rolled.
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