Circa 1849- Kennedy-Baker-Walker-Sherrill House

Location: 9320 Kingston Pike, Knoxville

From the publication "The Future of Knoxville’s Past- Historic and ArchitecturalResources in Knoxville, Tennessee- Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission,October 2006," prepared by the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission:

"Kennedy-Baker House, 9320 Kingston Pike (c. 1840). This two story brick Federal home was, according to family tradition, built by a former apprentice of Thomas Hope, a renowned early Knoxville architect and craftsman, for James Kennedy and his wife, Jane Cox Kennedy. It was purchased by Dr. William J. Baker in 1858, willed to his niece Katherine Elizabeth Baker Walker and her husband, J.W. Walker, in 1865, and purchased by the Sherrill family in 1953… the house reflects early settlement along Kingston Pike, and is extremely significant for its architecture and history" (p. 19).

The Knoxville News-Sentinel website ran an article about the restoration of this house on May 28, 2013. It says that the house was built around 1849, whereas the excerpt above says circa 1840. The article, written by Ed Marcum, also provides some background information on the history of the house:

"Built in 1849, the three bay Federal style house is at 9320 Kingston Pike, just west of Academy Sports and Outdoors. It was initially the home of James and Jane Cox Kennedy and was bought by Dr. William J. Baker in 1858. Baker, who was a trustee of East Tennessee College and a member of the Knoxville Board of Health, was also brother to Dr. Harry Baker who lived nearby in what is now known as the Baker-Peters House, at 9000 Kingston Pike.

In the early years of the house, Kingston Pike was a wagon road leading to Nashville. After William Baker died in 1865, his niece, Katherine Elizabeth Baker, and her husband, J.W. Walker, became owners of the house. The Sherrill family acquired it in 1953.

According to Knox Heritage, the Sherrill home is one of the few remaining examples of Federal style architecture in Knox County."

The website www.ruskinarc.com has a 4-page report about this house, with a lot of great information.