In 1929 the people who worked in the offices at Pressmen’s Home were all excited when word got out that Charlie “Tex” Brooks was coming to teach in the Trade School because he had been there a year or two previously, so a lot of the staff knew him and liked him. He drove from Texas in his Model T Ford. Somewhere, taken a few months later, there is a picture of Mother standing next to that Model T with her hand, complete with engagement ring, draped “casually” on the door. The two of them had gone to Knoxville that day, with the top of the car down and got caught in a downpour. Daddy drove up Gay Street and stopped right in front of Millers Department Store. Mother jumped out, soaking wet, ran in, bought a new dress, put it on and went back to join Daddy. She is wearing the dress in the picture.
Regarding the secret message system, they both lived at the Hotel (as they continued to do for two years after they married). Daddy’s room was directly above Mother’s, and they devised a system of communicating by tapping on the pipes.
Tales told under the Devil's Nose 
I have a telephone book printed in april 21st 1949 from pressmans home. I love hearing stories about it, I had no clue what it was when we went to it. the boys that took us were apparantly friends with the caretaker. he let us stay and explore all day long.
By: shelly on October 6, 2010
at 3:20 am
I am intrested in learning more about Pressmans home in Rogersville Tn.
By: Debra on November 6, 2012
at 7:03 pm
So nice to have each of your comments. P.H. was a wonderful place to grow up. Of course, we didn’t know it was unique. I lived there from birth until I was 13 years old, when my family moved to a new home some miles away. And, also, I have realized that what I knew of the community might not be the same experience that other children had.
As for learning more, there is an historical section at the public library in Rogersville that should have some information on P.H. The librarian there should also be of help.
Thanks for your interest.
By: JOANN B FELSING on November 9, 2012
at 9:46 am
I first saw ph as a golf course contractor thought it was a unique and strangely it touched my senses kept walking all the old paths and wondering how such a great property fell into ruins is it for sale if so by who if not who ended up buying it walkway from the hotel to what looked like a lodge sticks in my mind
By: Rob on January 30, 2015
at 10:09 am
Seeing signs all around 11E about Pressmans’ home, being new to the area, my curiosity was peaked after searching on the internet. I was so disappointed that such an elaborate valley structure could not be viewed at all. Why advertise if you don’t want visitors? Earlier in the week I had driven down Hwy 94 just to discover. Ran across the Pressmans home and had a very creepy feeling that I was being watched. Drove further down the road to Happy Valley and assumed that was still part of the whole fellowship experience but was creeped out. Turn around and went back home to encourage my nephew to take a ride with me back to PH. This weekend we drove onto the property and were surrounded by “Do not enter Private Property Turn Back Now” sign. This sounded very ominous but I drove in front of the large brick building and could see a fluorescent light on and then I was confronted by a truck load of men that sat there as I turned around and then followed me until I got off the property. It gave me a feeling of secrecy. Something is going on there that we need to investigate. Down the road but still on the property is a huge Agriculture Government Dept. sign that has recently been placed since it has the name of President Donald Trump on the bottom. Secrecy as always with the government, but they are well hidden which they love. I would love to know but being a 70 year old woman it is not my place to investigate and get myself killed. Maybe if someone investigative reporter with the right credentials could find out more. If a truckload of red necks are coming after me, I am outta of here. Strange, strange.
By: Sherrie King on September 10, 2017
at 2:14 am
I lived near Pressmans Home as a child. We moved into an old farmhouse, which was an improvement from the house we were living in. I remember wandering into the woods, up and down hills, crossing a creek. My mother’s parents and little brother were visiting from Texas, so my uncle, (who is only two years older than me), and I explored the area, stumbling upon something we did not know what it was at the time. We found a moonshine still. This was after we saw several roosters, in individual cages. I was too young to know about such things.
What I remember about living there, was shoveling coal from the pile outside, into the bucket to take inside, running water, an indoor toilet, a bathtub, the spring and hand pump, wood burning cook stoves, portable wringer washers, clothes on a clothesline….
My daddy’s mother, brother and sister in law, and my cousn, lived at the foot of Devil’s Nose, at the end of the holler, Old Mill Road. My grandmother was raised by Uncle Art and Aunt Mary, who lived on the mountain. Mama’s mother died during childbirth. I remember climbing up the road, wanting to visit Art and Mary. I had always wanted to climb to the top, but never did. There used to be the original house that my dad’s family grew up in, at the mouth of the holler, but it was eventually torn down. Growing up, mostly in Texas, going to visit my Tennessee family, always was in Rogersville. We did live there twice growing up, once was in 3rd grade, the second time I was 14-15.
My memories of Sunday morning at Candy Creek church, sitting on old, hard wooden pews, baptizing in the creek, hearing voices blending as we sang old hymnal songs, hell stone and brimfire preaching, Mamaw shouting in the spirit…
I look forward to visiting there, again, someday.
By: beverlyfostersnider on February 3, 2019
at 7:58 am