Williamson County Loses Another Part Of History

May 26, 2004

Another fight to try and retain some of the character of Williamson County has been lost. As I reported in this column back some time ago, Herbert's Bar-B-Q, a Franklin landmark for many years, was fighting for its life. City planners in their infinite wisdom had decided to widen the road running in front of the restaurant. Despite the fact that the decision would ruin one of the area's favorite eateries, the forces of progress pushed forward.

 

As I wrote before, Herbert's has always had a special place in my heart. I've been going there since before my sons were born. It's become a tradition for Dad to take the boys out for lunch on Saturday and give Mom a chance to catch her breath. The restaurant of choice for those weekend outings has been Herbert's. After a great plate of barbeque or pulled chicken, the boys were supplied with quarters in hand to play the ball machine. I never knew what the real name for it was. All we knew was each player tried his luck at the old-timey arcade machine and was always rewarded with a bright, bouncing rubber ball.

 

The walls of Herbert's were adorned with autographed pictures of the famous who had graced the booths and tables for some of the best eatin' around. After I wrote the first column on saving this fine establishment, Ben Matthews, the owner, had it framed and hung below my own photograph (they even included the not-so-famous) where it hung prominently for those waiting to be seated to peruse.

 

There will be no one else coming to be seated. There will be no one else reading with amusement the inscriptions of their favorite stars that hang on the wall beside them as they dine. The ball machine will no longer thrill and delight young kids. Families will be forever deprived of some of the best barbeque ever made.

 

I knew when I wrote that first column about Herbert's that the prognosis was serious. Since that writing it has been a constant struggle to save it. On May 23, 2004, Herbert's lost its battle. I rushed in from out of town to visit my old friend one more time. When I arrived, I was too late. The doors were closed. I peeked inside to see Ben and his employees, sending the old restaurant off with a final hurrah. He unlocked the door and invited me in. I hugged the staff I'd come to know over all those years and tears welled up in my eyes.

 

Ben invited Susan and the boys inside and awarded us the last four containers of Herbert's barbeque in existence. The boys played the ball machine one last time. We took a couple of pictures then left the Herbert's family alone.

 

I know it's just a restaurant. I realize there are other places to eat. In fact, the city of Franklin is going to demolish Herbert's so that the McDonald's next door can take its parking lot since the widened road will take part of the McDonald's parking lot. Heaven knows we must preserve the McDonald's. There are only 30,000 left in America. Maybe they're serve up a barbeque sandwich just for old time's sake.

 

So much of our area looks like so many other places across America. You see the same chain stores in every town off every interstate in every state. It's too bad more wasn't done to protect this little piece of Franklin that was different. In the name of the future we've forgotten our past. And it's a shame. It really is.