Less than a mile from Dallas Downs is the historic Carnton Plantation. It was built by former Nashville mayor Randal McGavock, who owned more than a thousand acres of surrounding land. At the mansion’s completion in 1826, it was one of the most elegant estates in Williamson County. The Greek Revival plantation was noted for its fine thoroughbred horses and large political gatherings, hosting such notables as Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, Judge John Overton, and Sam Houston. Carnton Plantation was built as a showplace with entertaining in mind. Incorporated in the home are some of the finest examples of workmanship in the area, including unusual usage of color, carved water tables, fine limestone lintels, brackets and numerous windows are outstanding.

The night of November 30, 1864 found the rear lines of Stewart’s Corps on the lawn at Carnton. A steady stream of dying and wounded was brought to the house throughout the night. Dawn found all but one room filled with wounded and five Confederate generals lay dead on the back porch. Many of the dead are buried in the McGavock Confederate Cemetery, maintained today by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.McGavock loaned or gave much of his wealth to the Confederate cause, thus the family was cash poor after the Civil War. Their vast properties were sold piecemeal for needed cash over the years following the war, until the house was sold out of the family in 1911. Today, the home is managed by the Battle of Franklin Trust and is open for tours.