To use the phrase "down the road," which most have heard times, was just a figure of speech for early travelers. Roads did not exist. Everyone used animal trails, especially those of the buffalo. History described these trails as broad beaten paths, worn into the earth two feet or more in many places and had apparently been used for ages.

Large herds of animals traveled these trails. Early trappers and Indians used them not only for travel, but trapping and hunting areas. Robberies were common along these trails. Recognizing that the animals and Indians had chosen the best routes, early settlers widened and changed the trails into roads.

Two of these trails were important in the development of Versailles. The Columbia Trail ran southward from Lebanon, Jefferson, Versailles, near Chapel hill (east of Eagleville) to Columbia, then connecting the Natchez Trail, west of Columbia. Highway 99, Rockvale, Versailles, Mt Pleasant and Bunker Hill road were on the Columbia Trail. Sections can still be seen today near Leslie King's home on the Bunker Hill and near Rockvale. The Great South Trail ran southward from Salt Lick (Nashville) crossing the Harpeth River at a large Indian village near Franklin, then in a southeasterly direction to the head headwaters of Wartrace Creek, then south to Tullhoma and to the Flint River. The Great South Trail met the Colombia Trail at a right angle in Versailles, then followed south on the Columbia Trail for approximately one-half mile, turned right and came out at what is now Doncord and the Jackson Ridge Road These two Trails today have become the Versailles-Longview and the Mt Pleasabt-Jackson Ridge roads. These two Trails are described in detail in the "Indian Trails of the Southeast."

Improvements and upkeep of the roads were provided by residents who were interested or could benefit. The cost was recovered by use of toll gates. They were not gates, but a long pole extending across the road. After a toll charge was paid the pole was raised allowing the travelers to pass. Records reveal that toll charges ranged from one cent to ten cents per unit, The rates indicated the amount of traffic and varied in many areas. A fine was levied on anyone caught evading toll charges. Later years residents of the County were required to perform five days work or pay the equivalent in cash for maintenance of the roads. This requirement was in effect until the 1930's.

Each of the roads were marked with mile posts, from the zero post at Murfreesboro. Records indicate these posts were used for determining the distance to the County line, as laws required the boundary to be within one day's travel from its county seat. These markers aided in determining unit cost for contract and maintenance. Mile posts were also used similar to milage markers on today's highways.

Within the Tenth District, the Columbia and Great South Trails by comparison were the super highways of the time, with many other trails serving the area much like our secondary roads today. The Old Ox road began on the Longview road near the Garrett schoolhouse. It followed near the boundary lines of the Hill, Jackson, Leathers, (Old Nance Place) Land Grants, joining the now Kingdom Road. This provided a shortcut to the Rover area. The Fishing Ford road was developed by members of the Mt Pleasant Church traveling to and from church meeting. It joined what is now known and the Haunt Hollow Road. The Fishing Ford \road and part of the O ld Ox road partially bounded the Hill grant as owner boundary lines help establish secondary roads. The Panther Creek Road connected the Link Road and the now Crescent-Midland road. Douglass Hollow (now Whitus road) connected the Versailles (Columbia Trail) and the Old Link road. Bunker Hill road connected Mt Pleasant road and the Trail west to Windrow. The Old Link ran east to Link off the Great South Trail. A so-called Lane Line Road connected the Columbia Trail with now Highway 99 near Rockvale school. The now Concord-Versailles Road came into being much later.

Eagleville changed from Williamson County to Rutherford County and the rapid growth following the Civil War resulted (1877) in now Highway 99 at first a toll road, to the county seat. This road by-passed Versailles due to lack of sufficient financial, although the Ransoms and others bought stock. Toll gates were located approximately every five miles to recover costs.

Modern day transportation now demands roads of a different quality but the early reads established by the animals and Indians are today recognized by many engineers as the most logical routes.

Sources: (1) "Indian Trails of the Southeast." (2) Maps, Beers and Survey maps of 1795 (3) Local residents