The James Gang Building: A small town’s connection to an infamous group of outlaws

WHITES CREEK, Tenn. (WKRN) — The small town of Whites Creek, tucked in northeast Davidson County has a story to tell. That story begins at Vintage Creek Boutique.

Paula Jones and her husband purchased the property nearly a decade ago.

"We bought the Jesse James building, or the James Gang building, as it's known in 2014," Jones said.

The "James Gang" building housed a general store in the late 1800s where Jesse James, one of the Wild West's most notorious criminals, visited often.

The Carthage 'lighthouse': The history behind Smith County's unique landmark

"They want to know if there are gunshots in the wall and they'll see one and ask, 'Oh is this a gunshot,'" Jones said.

The infamous group, widely known for robbing banks and trains, had a brief stay around Nashville. Until one of their fellow gang members opened his mouth at the wrong place and wrong time.

"He came in and got to drinking in the back of the saloon," Jones said. "He got to talking about the shenanigans of the James Gang and what they had been doing...So, they tied him up in his little chair and arrested him."

But that wasn't all, one day later Jones said the James brothers fled Nashville because they knew people were coming after them next.

Almost 150 years later, the building paints a picture of its legacy that still stands over Whites Creek today. It even holds on to its original design.

"It is exactly the same building," Jones said.

Hidden Tennessee | Discover some of the Volunteer State's best-kept secrets

Formerly known as Earthman's General Store, the building is now listed as a historical site – with a marker commemorating the James Gang exploits.

"We'll see people pull in and go straight to that and take pictures," Jones said.

Through employees, tourists, and those passing by, the legend of the James Gang lives on.