[EXPANDED] Bolivar, Miller & Manor Timeline
1825
"Hatchie Town" (which was soon changed to "Bolivar") was officially designated by the Tennessee State Legislature as the Hardeman County seat.
1837
Austin Miller was one of the commissioners appointed to survey and establish the disputed boundary between Tennessee and Mississippi. The line surveyed by Miller and his fellow commissioners was formally adopted by Tennessee as the state's southern boundary—the line that placed Memphis north of the Mississippi border.
1844
1849
Judge Austin Miller reportedly purchased the property on which Magnolia Manor would later be built.
Magnolia Manor is completed. Judge Austin Miller reportedly designed and supervised construction of his Greek Revival residence, described as an “English country home.” The house was constructed with exceptionally thick handmade brick walls, elongated windows, a prominent front porch and balcony, and multiple brick chimneys. A bronze eagle associated with the house bears the date 1849.
Mid-19th Century
The Miller family makes the Manor home. Magnolia Manor becomes the residence of Judge Austin Miller and his family and begins an association with the Miller family that would continue through three generations and for more than a century.
Civil War Era
Union Army connections. Published accounts of Magnolia Manor state that the house was used as headquarters by Union Generals Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, John A. Logan and James B. McPherson. Later local tradition has associated meetings at the house with planning for the Vicksburg campaign, although that connection remains an area of ongoing historical research.
Civil War Era
The Sherman staircase story enters Manor tradition. A longstanding Miller family story tells of an uncomfortable dinner involving Generals Grant and Sherman and Mrs. Miller, followed by Sherman allegedly striking the staircase banister with his sword. A mark traditionally associated with the incident remains part of the Manor's story.
Late 19th / Early 20th Century
Another generation of Millers. Charles Austin Miller, Judge Miller's son, became a prominent attorney and later served as Tennessee Secretary of State.
Early 20th Century
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Lea Miller was a Bolivar attorney, suffrage advocate and one of Tennessee's pioneering female legislators. Elected from Hardeman County in 1924, she became the second woman to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Through the 1970s
More than a century of Miller family ownership. Three generations of the Miller family reportedly lived at Magnolia Manor until the 1970s, giving the property an unusually long connection to its original family.
1985
The Bed & Breakfast era begins. Elaine Cox Gatti began operating Magnolia Manor as a bed-and-breakfast, transforming the historic residence into a destination where visitors could experience the house rather than simply admire it from the street.
Late 20th / Early 21st Century
Magnolia Manor gains wider attention. Published accounts connect the Manor with magazine, television and documentary coverage, including Tennessee Crossroads, HGTV's If Walls Could Talk, and other media.
Bed & Breakfast Era
Ghost tours become a Magnolia Manor tradition. Paranormal investigators, guests and visitors became part of another chapter in the Manor's history. Annual ghost tours reportedly attracted hundreds of visitors, with approximately 700–800 people participating during October in some years.
2014
Magnolia Manor's history and ghost tours are profiled in the Jackson Sun. The article recorded many of the Miller family stories, architectural details, Civil War traditions and paranormal accounts that had become associated with the house.
2015
The Bed & Breakfast chapter ends. According to the current owner's research notes, Magnolia Manor ceased operating as a bed-and-breakfast in 2015.
February 2025
A new period of ownership begins. Ty & Judy Jones, thru 418 NORTH MAIN LLC, purchased Magnolia Manor as-is and began an extensive process of clearing, cleaning and studying the property, including the main house, attic, basement, garage, guest house and grounds.
2025–2026
Magnolia Manor is used again. Family gatherings, events and photo shoots brought activity back into the property while additional work continued inside and outside the house.
2026
The search begins for Magnolia Manor's next steward. Rather than undertake the complete restoration originally envisioned, the current owner made the decision to offer the property to someone prepared to carry its story into its next chapter.
As with all of the information on this site. Several sites were referenced for verification of all claims, dates, stories, but it is nearly impossible to be 100% confident, therefore, more research should be conducted.
Images Collect from Local Library
The following images were duplicated with permission from the Archive section of the Bolivar Public Library. They had a folder of "Magnolia Manor" as well as several other images, copies and articles. These are placed here to try and curate ALL information about the Manor.
Own a Piece of Tennessee History.
Precious things to be included in the transaction:
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The Miller Family Bible
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Judge Miller Saddle Bags
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Paintings of Generals that stayed at Magnolia Manor
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This website (and control) which is a great start for complete Curation and History
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You can also assume control of the LLC which owns the property - 418 NORTH MAIN LLC (if you so choose).
Request additional information, property documents or, for serious prospects, a private tour of Magnolia Manor.