The Lotz House
Some History Never Dies
Imagine the cheerful occasion of celebrating your daughter's
6th birthday. Loved ones gathered, presents to open and smiles around the room.
You go to bed with happiness in your heart and your daughters joyful expressions
in your mind just to be awoken to Union soldiers digging trenches just 80 yards
south of your house. The soldiers have torn down your woodshop, barns and
carriage house to use the material to create barricades. The General approaches
you and informs you that they are preparing for a battle. He advises you that
if you flee your home he would not be able to guarantee the contents of it.
What would you do? This was the exact position of Mr. Johann Lotz in 1864.
Before I go any further, let me give you a little background.
Johann Lotz brought his family to the United States from Germany in search of a better life.
They settled in Franklin, Tennessee in 1855 where Mr. Lotz, a master
woodworker, began building the now infamous Lotz house. With his own 2 hands he
constructed the home with intricate details and displayed their residence as a
"show house" to demonstrate his talent to potential clients who were
looking to build their own homes. On the morning of November 30, 1864 he awoke
to what was about to be one of the most horrific battles of the entire Civil War.
Knowing that his wooden house wouldn't hold up to the severe fighting that was
about to take place he gathered his family and all of the tools he could carry
(after all, his tools were his livelihood and provided for his family) and took off down the street to the Carter
house. There the Lotz family took refuge along with others in the brick
basement for the next 17 hours while the Battle of Franklin raged on. The next
day as they emerged from the basement they were horrified at what they saw; countless
men lying dead and wounded the entire span of land going back to their house.
In fact Mr. Lotz himself said the bodies were so thick that you couldn't take a
step without walking on someone. The Lotz home became a makeshift hospital for
the next several days. Even with the chaos and horror of medical treatment
around him Johann began to quickly repair all the damage done to his once
beautiful home. The damage was extensive. The southern wall had been blasted off
due to Confederate cannonballs, he sealed up the windows that were once there and
created a solid wall. He patched holes in the ceiling and floor where cannon
balls came through. He did what he could to repair his house quickly and
efficiently so his family could survive the winter. They lived in the dirt
cellar below the house while repairs were made and soldiers were cared for.
It's very humbling to walk through the house where you see the remnants of war
still there over 150 years later and blood stains in every room from the
wounded. You can still feel the panic and passion as you look at repairs that
make it clear Johann was not doing his best work as a trained craftsman to fix
his home, but doing his best work as a father and provider to his family by
making his home secure and livable for his loved ones again.
The Lotz family was ultimately forced to leave their
cherished home due to a poor economy after the Civil War and threats from the
Ku Klux Klan on Johann's life. The Lotz house was sold over and over again in
the years to come. It has recently been reclaimed and opened as a museum that not
only showcases Johann's talent but also serves as a historical building and a
Civil War museum.
Matilda Lotz
Born to Johann and Margaretha Lotz on November 29, 1858
little Matilda grew up with a natural love of animals and a talent for drawing
them. In fact she would draw animals in the dirt with branches, on paper with
cooled coal from the fireplace and once she even attempted to draw on an empty wall
(see parents, this artistic expression has been going on for years!). This passion
would prove to be her life calling. After moving to California
she attended the San Francisco School of Design and later continued her
education at a school in Paris.
Matilda became a world renowned painter and animal portrait artist. You can see
some of her original works hanging in the Lotz house which still seem to
communicate her deep love and passion for animals.
The Furnishings
The Lotz home was one of the most heavily damaged structures
during the Civil War. So damaged in fact that even though it took Mr. Lotz
three years to build the house it took him four years to complete all the
repairs. As you can imagine, most of the interior was destroyed in battle. A great
deal of the Lotz family belongs were damaged by bullets, blood and the chaos of
war. Some things were salvaged and still remain there today, some of which
Johann himself made. Not everything there nowadays was originally in the house
in 1864 but all the furnishings are true to period and help paint the picture
of what their home was like in it's original and intended stated.
The Guided Tour
For $10 a tour guide will take you room to room of this
iconic home and tell you about the history, the craftsmanship of the house and
the furniture within it. Your guide will tell you the unique stories that belong
to each quarter. In the main area you will find cases of Civil War antiques
some of which were picked up off the battlefield right in front of the house.
Supernatural
Happenings
I will leave most of the stories about paranormal activities
up to the guides if they would like to share their experiences with you but I
will tell you a couple accounts that I heard first hand. Everyone who works at
The Lotz house admits to strange things happening. Items being moved overnight,
things going missing and even sightings on camera within the house. The
director puts it best by saying "Whatever or whoever is here just wants to
be acknowledged. So every morning we say 'Good morning!' and every evening
before we leave we say 'Goodnight'." It seems so long as whatever or
whoever is there is recognized they are content but if you forget about them
they will remind you of their presence. I felt a strong connection to this house
as we pulled our car on property. I thought it would be a horrid and fearful
connection because of the massacre that happened there but it was not what I
expected. I felt peace, love and yes an odd presence but not one I was fearful
of. I personally think the way this home and Johann's legacy is being cared for
does so much honor to the family that someone, somewhere is showing their
gratitude.
The Lotz House
Foundation
After the Lotz family fled to California their home was sold multiple
times as a residence to a variety of owners and also became a dwelling for many
businesses. It has been everything from apartments to restaurants. In 2008 the
Lotz House Foundation was established and purchased the house back. They
restored the house to it's original state and preserved the building and it's
stories so that the public could be educated on the history and culture of the
Battle of Franklin. They have done a great honor to Mr. Johann Lotz himself by
protecting and displaying his talent and his passion the way it was intended to
be. All proceeds go to supporting the foundation and preserving this historic
building.
I would like to give a special thanks to Thomas Cartwright. Thomas was our tour guide while visiting the Lotz house. Not only was he fun and engaging but authentic in his love and appreciation for the home and it's history. He is a historian and one of the nation's leading experts on the Battle of Franklin. Thomas has been featured on many television shows on the History Channel, Discover and A&E. It was truly an honor being able to listen to him tell stories and give his own personal opinions on events surrounding the Battle of Franklin. He has helped me with this article and is a true joy to talk with and listen to.
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| Thomas Cartwright |
The Lotz House is probably one of my favorite historical
experiences I've ever done. Not only did I learn a lot about the time period,
the battle and the political climate of the age but it felt like I was
introduced to an amazing family all these years later as if it was face to face.
This home touches on so many levels. It's relatable to the history buff, the
war hero, the art lover, the one who works with their hands and the family
person inside all of us that just wants to provide and love our families well. A
wonderful experience for adults and kids alike this is a must do for anyone in
the Franklin
area.
