History
of Thistledome
also known as Chalmers/Horn Home
Historic
Thistledome is a beautiful and romantic setting for Bed & Breakfast
guests as well as for your wedding and reception. This Victorian mansion
began as a small home in 1840 built for A.L. Chalmers, a realtor who would become
a civil war general. Chalmers was
charged to meet and stop General Sherman in Collierville, TN.
Although he failed in this task he was successful in stealing Sherman's
dress uniform and personal horse. An enraged Sherman chased
Chalmers half way through the county at no avail. The
home was later purchased in 1890 by E.B. and Callie Horn, Byhalia
general merchant and
businessman. Callie Horn was small
and quiet spoken but insisted that she would not live in a home that
faced a neighbor's pig pin. With wagons and much effort Mr. Horn
turned the North facing home to face East as it does today. The Horn
family extensively remodeled the home making it as you see today.
They raised three daughters there.
In
1938 the McAuley couple viewed the home for sale and agreed “this
will do me” from which the name Thistledome was born.
Mr. McAuley was a Senator as well as postmaster.
The McAuleys also raised three children in the home. In 2002, Jay and Susan St.John purchased the home and renovations
began. We hope to bring the
opportunity to host weddings, receptions and special events in the
traditions of the Grand Ole South.
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