When then-newlyweds Danny and Teresa Anderson moved to Williamson County years ago, the population was about 10,000. Cool Springs was nothing but farmland, and the annual Heritage Ball was just making its debut.
Since then, the county’s grown to six times the size, and Anderson says things have changed beyond what he could’ve imagined back in the 1970s. He attributes that to the people who have stepped up to make sure that the area’s historical treasures are preserved for generations to come.
“I got involved in preservation because of Calvin LeHew, a friend of mine who was a visionary for Franklin,” Anderson said. “He had a passion for preserving this city.
“Before Franklin became what it is today, it was a small town with a story that needed to be told. It has taken a lot of very dedicated people to make it the charming place that it is.”
And over the years, Anderson and his wife, Teresa, have played their part: the pair has served on the board of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County and was integral to the renaissance at Carnton Plantation. They have also been co-chairs of the annual Heritage Ball (boasting its 40th year in September), and Danny currently sits on the City’s Historic Zoning Commission.
Today, so many people’s preservation work continues to reap rewards for Franklin. Anderson’s had a front-row seat to the changes, and to the positive impact on the real estate market—as the managing broker at Parks Realty, his office is located at 451 Main Street.
Anderson says he loves being in the middle of the excitement of downtown and working with his son, Reid.
“I’ve been able to watch the growth of this great community, and Bob Parks has been able to be a forerunner for development and certain renovations,” he said. “Visitors are always commenting on how clean and friendly our city is. They all want to relocate here. That didn’t just happen; that’s been by design of the people around here.”
Anderson says the community has rallied in recent decades to work together for the area’s architecture and heritage.
“There is such a passion in this town that you don’t experience in many places,” he said. “And it’s a broad passion. People who grew up here, people who just moved to the area, young and old—all have come together to preserve and help our community grow so it can remain an example for others to follow. There is a quality of life here that doesn’t exist elsewhere.”
Anderson’s had his hands in several baskets since he’s moved to Franklin. Before launching his real estate career, he was the public relations director for Carter’s Court, a shopping center developed by LeHew that now holds more office buildings than retail.
Soon after that stint, he and his wife opened up a number of gift shops—D’Roy’s Entertains on Fourth Avenue was a nod to his Danny’s childhood nickname. He was also an initial partner in the Bunganut Pig restaurant on Columbia Avenue.
“My wife Teresa has been right beside me in everything we have done,” Anderson said. “We have such fond memories of it all.
“We have so much to be proud of in Franklin.”
