Eaves Ferry House

Thank you Edwin Dill for sharing this photo and memory!

"Through my family who live in Meigs County, I met Miss Flossie and Miss Ada in the mid 1990's when I would visit from NYC. I stayed in touch with them through- hard to believe- LETTERS! At the time, the home was in deterioration, but very livable with all of its original furnishings. I would spend time talking with them in their parlor, kitchen or my favorite- front porch!"

There’s something special about bringing history back to life. At Eaves Ferry, the iconic wraparound porch is getting the attention it deserves—with custom spindles carefully replicated to match the original design. Every detail matters, and these are no exception. Crafted by H.A. Stiles, these pieces honor the home’s steamboat-style architecture while ensuring it stands strong for years to come.

Read more about it on our blog: https://www.eavesferryhouse.com/post/craftsmanship-behind-eaves-ferry-custom-spindles-by-h-a-stiles

Who’s ready for a sneak peek INSIDE Eaves Ferry? These photos may not look like much yet — but they represent hours of structural stabilization, cleanup after years of vandalism, and the careful beginning of restoring original woodwork and architectural details.

Our goal is to restore & preserve as much of the property’s historic character as possible, while thoughtfully breathing new life into the space for the community to enjoy for years to come. This is just the beginning — and we can’t wait to share more of the progress with you over the next couple of weeks!

Some seasons are for visible progress. Others are for groundwork. Winter is a quieter season at Eaves Ferry, so we’re sharing a bit of river history while restoration work continues onsite.

Read more 👇

When the River Froze: A Look Back at Winter on the Tennessee River Frozen Tennessee River. With the Gay Street Bridge and Knoxville in background. 1918. Calvin C. McClung Historical Collection.

Calling all antique lovers and history buffs—we need your help. We’re trying to locate a specific antique light fixture for the Eaves Ferry House restoration. If this looks familiar or you know where one might be found, please send us a message!

Merry Christmas from Eaves Ferry House & the McKinney Family — thank you for caring about this place. Join us in 2026 as we carry this restoration forward, one careful board and one story at a time.

The porch restoration is really coming along!

We’ve launched a dedicated blog where we’re sharing the history of Eaves Ferry House, behind-the-scenes updates, and each step of the restoration process.

From architectural details to stories uncovered along the way, you can find it all here: https://www.eavesferryhouse.com/blog

Join us as we bring this remarkable 1909 river home back to life.

Blog | Eaves Ferry House Explore stories, research, and restoration updates from the historic Eaves Ferry House in Decatur, TN. Follow the project and learn about its architecture, family history, and river heritage.

For more than a century, this old river home has stood quietly above the water—weathering seasons, holding memories, and waiting for the right hands to bring it back to life.

Today, we invite you to follow along as we restore its porch, its heartbeat, and its place in our community’s story.

We’re preserving the past, honoring the families who came before us, and building something beautiful for the future.

We’re glad you’re here.
Welcome to Eaves Ferry House.