Tony Gonzalez

tgonzalez@tennessean.com

The entire city of Nashville tops a new list of endangered historic places announced today by the Tennessee Preservation Trust.

By being named to the "Ten from Tenn" list, the sites across the state will get more attention this year, and perhaps new protections, as preservationists deal with the kinds of tensions familiar in Nashville.

"Growth brings a lot of opportunities around every corner," said Tim Walker, head of the Metro Historic Zoning Commission. "Preservation and development can go hand-in-hand, but we need to make some tough decisions. And do we want to allow everything to be demolished? Its sense of place? If you lose that unique architecture to our city, you don't know where you are, and you're kind of faceless."

An iconic landmark of the civil rights movement, historic schools, mansions and mills, and a well-known hotel and railroad station, are also on this year's list.

Nominated by preservationists across the state, the chosen list identifies properties that the trust will try to protect in the coming year, including by pursuing grants or protective ordinances.

"When the economy turned around, and dollars started to flow, that can be a boon to historic resources, and other times that can be a threat," said David Currey, trust executive director.

Currey said a string of high-profile disputes over historic Nashville sites — Studio A, Printer's Alley and the Cordell Hull building among them — prompted the trust to make its declaration.

He said the city has an inconsistent "preservation ethic," leaving a spotty track record. The trust also cited deterioration, development, the push for a denser urban core and too few protective measures as threats.

City officials countered that Nashville has twice as many protected properties as other large cities in Tennessee, and a capable historical commission.

"As Nashville faces pressures that come with the unprecedented population and job growth it is experiencing today, we will continue to improve public land use policies to provide a balance between historic preservation, sustainable development, walkable communities, transportation needs, economic growth and affordable living," said Doug Sloan, deputy planning commission director.

Last year, the trust brought national attention to some of its endangered sites, including the Cordell Hull state building and the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg. The 1878 Moye-Green home in Portland, Tenn., benefited from a state grant.

In 2012, more than half of the listed properties got rehabilitation grants totaling about $5 million.

Reach Tony Gonzalez at 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @tgonzalez.

Fort Wright

Burlison, Tipton County

Fort Wright, a Confederate Army fortification built around 1861, is the only surviving Civil War powder magazine in Tennessee that can support public access. It is threatened by erosion and a roof in disrepair.

Westover School

Union City, Obion County

This school, built circa 1879, contributes to a local historic district but is threatened by codes violations, demolition and vandalism.

Development pressure

T he trust grouped three sites threatened by development:

• Interstate Life Insurance building, circa 1950, at 40 McCallie Avenue, in Chattanooga, a site listed on a national endangered list in 2011. It faces demolition to make way for a college dorm.

• Old Natchez Trace in Williamson County, the oldest road in continual use in the state, could change through demolition and road projects.

Gilley's Hotel

Bulls Gap, Hawkins County

The 1920 Gilley's Hotel, which served early rail passengers, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places but faces threats from water damage and a poor roof.

Highlander Folk School

Monteagle, Grundy County

This school, which played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, including as a training ground for Rosa Parks, and other historic events, faces the threat of deterioration.

Athenaeum Rectory

Columbia, Maury County

The school, built in the 1850s, is all that remains of the once-famous Athenaeum Girls' School and shows Moorish and Gothic building styles unique to Tennessee. It is threatened by deterioration and a lack of funds for maintenance.

Historic mills

Three mills are listed as endangered: the Model Mill, Bemis Mill, and Little River Lumber Mill.

• Model, in Johnson City, was built in 1909 and important in the area's development. It is threatened by demolition and development of an apartment.

• Bemis, in Jackson, was built in 1901 and became the county's largest employer. Closed in 1991, the mill is now a warehouse facing demolition or development.

• Little River mill and railyard in Townsend, built in 1901, was a major employer and builder of railroads in the Smoky Mountains. It is threatened by development.

Nashville

Founded in 1779, the strategically located capital city is threatened by deterioration and development in what has become a "white-hot" market, according to the trust.

Dr. Thomas Price House

Covington, Tipton County

The 1915 home of this early African-American surgeon has a distinctive craftsmen style but is at risk of abandonment and demolition by neglect.

Gov. A.H. Roberts home

Livingston, Overton County

Built in 1885, this is the home of Tennessee's governor when women successfully fought for the right to vote. It is at risk of natural deterioration.

Preservation dollars available

The Tennessee Historical Commission will begin taking applications for historic preservation grants worth about $300,000 on Saturday.

The commission will review, rate and rank applications, which are due by Jan. 31. Decisions could be as late as August 2015, depending on budgeting by Congress. The grants can reimburse up to 60 percent of a project.

For more information or for an application, contact the commission at 615-532-1550 or online at http://www.tn.gov/environment/history.