History
Rich Heritage
Leiper’s Fork is a place where history runs as deep as the valley it sits in. For thousands of years, this land was home to Native American tribes—including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Shawnee—who were drawn to its fertile soil, abundant wildlife, and natural springs.
In the late 1700s, following the Revolutionary War, veterans began settling the area through land grants. Among them was Colonel Jesse Steed, who acquired more than 2,500 acres—property later purchased by Jesse Benton. After Benton’s passing, his widow Nancy and their children made the land their home and welcomed new settlers to what became known as “Benton Town.”
â–¼READ MORE
Because the village sat directly on the historic Natchez Trace—once a Native American corridor and later a major route for frontier travelers—its population grew quickly. Nancy eventually renamed the community “Hillsboro,” but when a post office was approved in 1808, the village had to choose a new name due to another Hillsboro already existing in Tennessee. They chose “Leiper’s Fork,” honoring the Leiper family who farmed much of the surrounding land.
In 1818, the village was granted a U.S. post office, making the Leiper’s Fork name official. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, Leiper’s Fork thrived as a small but bustling rural center with mills, farms, shops, and schools. Though untouched by major Civil War battles, the area saw military movement and activity due to its strategic location along the Trace and other early roadways.
By the late 20th century, suburban growth threatened the village’s historic character—leading residents to launch a grassroots preservation effort in 1995. One pivotal figure in that revival was entrepreneur/philanthropist Aubrey Preston — after moving to Leiper’s Fork in the early 1990s, he invested in preserving the community’s heritage: acquiring historic properties, promoting arts and community, and working to conserve the surrounding land. In 1998, thanks to widespread efforts, the village core was officially listed as the Leiper’s Fork Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Their vision protected Leiper’s Fork’s 19th-century architecture, rolling farmland, and countryside charm, laying the foundation for the creative community it’s known for today.
What began as a frontier settlement has grown into a vibrant haven for creatives, artists, musicians, makers, entrepreneurs and families who value the area’s slower pace, heritage, and natural beauty. Leiper’s Fork remains a rare blend of preserved history and inspired, small-town culture—one Tennessee’s most beloved treasures.
