By Katie Shands | Photography Provided by Williamson County Historical Society
Step inside Landmark Booksellers, and you’re not just entering a bookshop... You’re crossing the threshold into more than two centuries of Franklin’s history. These walls have seen East Main Street transform from dirt to pavement, watched horse-drawn carriages give way to cars, and welcomed everyone from hardy pioneers to modern-day shoppers and tourists. Known historically as the Old Factory Store, this building has worn many hats, including a bank, a cotton factory store, an inventor’s workshop, a juke joint, a soldiers’ club—and for the past two decades, a literary haven.
This summer marks Landmark’s twentieth anniversary in the Old Factory Store. It’s the latest chapter in this building’s long and varied history, but Landmark has a remarkable tale of its own, one that began with a romance.
Joel and Carol Tomlin met on a blind date at Steeplechase in May 1993 and married the following winter. With a blended family of seven children, the couple’s schedule was packed with sports and school activities, not to mention the demands of two thriving careers—Joel’s in real estate and Carol’s in education. Amid the busy season, the Tomlins made a pact: Once their youngest graduated from high school, they would find something just for the two of them to do together.
That dream began to take shape in early 2005 when Joel learned that the owner of Dad’s Old Bookstore in Nashville was retiring and selling his entire inventory. Joel, an avid book collector, and Carol, a passionate reader, saw it as the perfect opportunity to combine their passions into one shared venture: They would open a bookshop together.
As the proud new owners of more than 50,000 books, the Tomlins needed a home for their vision. They purchased the Old Factory Store, located at 114 East Main Street in Franklin, and set to work transforming the space into a cozy bookshop with antique Oriental rugs, eclectic artwork, and plush seating. On July 15, 2005, Landmark Booksellers officially opened its doors.
What started as a labor of love has since become a staple in downtown Franklin. Landmark now boasts a diverse inventory of new, old, and rare books, including more than 2,000 signed first editions. The popular bookshop attracts visitors from around the country and the world. “We are really blessed because of the tourism that Franklin does,” says Joel. “One of our great joys over the years has been meeting the people who travel here.”
In 2012, Landmark gained even wider recognition when author Karen Kingsbury based her New York Times bestseller The Bridge on the bookshop. Not only that, the Tomlins served as inspiration for her protagonists. The novel was later adapted into a Hallmark movie of the same name.
Years later, Kingsbury would support the Tomlins again, this time during the COVID-19 shutdowns, which threatened to close Landmark for good. She offered to sell signed copies of her latest novel, Someone Like You, exclusively on the bookshop’s website. The response was overwhelming. “That saved us through the pandemic,” says Joel. “Karen is our guardian angel.”
In addition to bibliophiles and Kingsbury fans, Landmark also draws historians. Although the exact origins of the building are uncertain, the Tomlins believe it may date back as far as 1808. Over the centuries, it has played a vital role in Franklin’s history, hosting prominent figures such as Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and James K. Polk. It’s even said that Andrew Jackson paid his troops on the property during the return trip to Nashville after their decisive win in the Battle of New Orleans.
In 1823, the building served as the factory store for Franklin’s first cotton mill, selling textile products like thread and fabric. Over time, the inventory expanded to include general merchandise and items manufactured at a nearby foundry and grist mill.
After the bloody Battle of Franklin in 1864, the Old Factory Store served as a temporary hospital where soldiers from both sides were treated. In the years since, it has housed a grocery store, an inventor’s workshop, a soldiers’ club, a juke joint, and an antique store. In 1954, Dotson’s Restaurant opened in the space and quickly became a beloved gathering spot and a favorite among country music singers.
To mark its twentieth anniversary, Landmark will host a special event on July 16th, at 6pm. The celebration is free and open to the public with live entertainment, author signings, a storewide sale, and refreshments. Guests will also receive a free commemorative book chronicling the 200-plus-year history of the building and Landmark’s twenty-year journey.
