Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Corniche facing east.
Umm Al Quwain Wall
‘Giant’ Marfa Mural
Approaching the tree while driving on the main road.
Remarkable Silk Cotton Tree
Key moments of the multi-day fight are recreated in the museum’s diorama.
Museo de la Batalla de Monterrey (Battle of Monterrey Museum)
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Seafood features prominently on the menu.
Dakar NOLA
The kabrit, or twice-cooked goat, with plantains and rice and beans is essential.
Fritai
Twelve Mile Limit is the kind of bar with a whole roster of regulars.
Twelve Mile Limit
Khao soi, the popular northern Thai noodle dish, comes with a richly spiced coconut broth here.
Budsi’s Authentic Thai
Everything at Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe is served in takeout containers.
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
A listener in Toronto explored Casa Loma, and a nearby park that made the city disappear.
How the Pandemic Helped Our Listeners Rediscover Their Own Neighborhoods
about 16 hours ago
You don’t need a time machine to journey through history.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Take a Trip Through Ancient History?
about 22 hours ago
In the 19th century, Fort Jefferson projected American power far out into the Gulf of Mexico. Its defensive moat was once patrolled by sharks.
The Hidden Graveyard of Dry Tortugas National Park
1 day ago
The view from the Q’eswachaka woven suspension bridge.
This Man Rebuilds the Last Inca Rope Bridge Yearly
4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Tennessee Falcon Rest Mansion
AO Edited

Falcon Rest Mansion

This lavish abode was once the home of the inventor of "Gorilla Pants."

McMinnville, Tennessee

Added By
kindrabtaylor
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Falcon Rest Mansion veranda   falconrest / Atlas Obscura User
Falcon Rest Mansion veranda   falconrest / Atlas Obscura User
Parlor at Falcon Rest Mansion, McMinnville, TN   falconrest / Atlas Obscura User
Gorilla Pants logo, product of Clay Faulkner’s Mountain City Woolen Mill  
Clay Faulkner family  
Courtyard at Falcon Rest   falconrest / Atlas Obscura User
See what was once the “grandest mansion in Tennessee.”   "Falcon Rest Mansion in summer" by Falcon Rest is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

Clay Faulkner, who founded Mountain City Woolen Mills in 1873, built his fortune on "Gorilla Pants," a garment so durable he claimed even a great ape couldn't tear them. In 1896, after the popularity of his trousers rose, Faulkner declared that he would build “the grandest mansion in Tennessee” for Mary, his wife, as a gift. 

For the time period, Falcon Rest was considered especially lavish, complete with central steam heating, a telephone, state-of-the-art electrical fixtures, and indoor plumbing. After Clay’s death, Mary moved to Nashville, Tennessee and sold the house.

Falcon Rest changed hands numerous times, serving as a home, hospital, nursing home, and now a tourist destination. Since 1989, the mansion has belonged to the McGlothin family, who have invested considerable capital into its restoration and preservation. In 1992, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. 

Related Tags

Historic Homes Mansions

Know Before You Go

Falcon Rest now offers tours, events, and overnight stays.

Community Contributors

Added By

kindrabtaylor

Edited By

falconrest

  • falconrest

Published

November 1, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Falcon Rest Mansion
2645 Faulkner Springs Rd
McMinnville, Tennessee, 37110
United States
35.717006, -85.762219
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Tent Graves of Mt. Gilead Cemetery

Sparta, Tennessee

miles away

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Pikeville, Tennessee

miles away

Old Stone Fort

Manchester, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 168
Stories 15

Nearby Places

Tent Graves of Mt. Gilead Cemetery

Sparta, Tennessee

miles away

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Pikeville, Tennessee

miles away

Old Stone Fort

Manchester, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 168
Stories 15

Related Places

  • A large Victorian mansion with many windows.

    Malden, Massachusetts

    Mystic Side Opera Company

    This Victorian home turned opera house may have a phantom of its own.

  • Menawali, India

    Nana Phadnavis Wada

    A riverside mansion built in the 1770s still stands near the town of Wai.

  • Annapolis, Maryland

    Governor Calvert House’s Hypocaust

    A rare 18th-century heating system tucked inside a historic colonial home.

  • Exterior of the Clayton House.

    Fort Smith, Arkansas

    The Clayton House Museum

    A beautifully restored 19th-century house that’s possibly haunted.

  • Robert E. Lee House from Evergreen Street.

    Boerne, Texas

    Robert E. Lee House

    This small, 19th-century structure is all the remains of a once lively travelers' inn that General Robert E. Lee frequented.

  • A well-preserved arched window inside the Mujumdar Wada.

    Pune, India

    Mujumdar Wada

    This 18th-century building is said to be one of the oldest heritage mansions in Pune.

  • Anna Maria, Florida

    Anna Maria Historical Society—Belle Haven Cottage

    This small cottage once fell into Tampa Bay but was rescued and restored.

    Sponsored by Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Sherborne St John, England

    The Vyne

    Alongside its 16th- and 17th-century architecture and interiors, this mansion houses an Ancient Roman ring that some believe may have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.