Linton and the Linton Casket Company

Linton was an unincorporated stretch of highway south of Nashville. There were a number of dilapidated structures there. Bud Hollars, a rustic woodworker, managed to secure a lease on the whole stretch. Initially, he opened one of the structures as "Bud and Al's Trading Post". Essentially, it was a beer hall with a few pool tables. Later, he opened another of the 'shacks' as "The Linton Casket Company". He had an idea about making hand-made biodegradable caskets for people's pets. Over time, the place was frequented by other woodworkers, including myself. We were able to convert the whole stretch of highway into a woodworking compound. As a group, we operated under the name of The Linton Casket Company. The large hammer installed out by the highway became our collective symbol. We had our own sawmill a few miles away, and we worked only with wood from trees fallen by the forces of nature, or which were cut down by others as nearby land was developed into residential areas.
The small boat shown was built by Bud. It had a fold down canopy so that one could negotiate creeks and streams with low bridges or overhanging trees. (Bud liked to fish!)


A view from the road. The wood fence running around our 'compound', was put up with 'green' wood. That is, it was freshly cut, and not cured. By lapping the boards, and leaving one side unnailed, we could allow the wood to dry and shrink without compromising the fence. Building shown is one of the studio/workshop areas.

Bud and Sam in back of Sam's workshop.

The small structure to the left was a 'concession stand' we threw together for an up-coming show. We would offer hot dogs, sandwiches, and cold drinks there for visitors. Also note the wood fence that continues around the perimeter of our 'town', and a few wood sculptures on pedestals; the work of sculptor, Robert Seigenthaler.

Robert Seigenthaler and wife Suzy relaxing on the deck of one of Bud's hand-made fishing boats.

Big Red was indispensable to our operation. It was a reliable old tilt-back flat bed with a power wench that enabled us to gather and transport the fallen trees we gathered. Behind Big Red is 'Linton City Hall', a small hand-built cabin where we often gathered in the morning and talked about our respective projects or planned future shows.

My workshop and/or gallery area was once a horse stall for Bud's horse, Dick. We enclosed and floored it, and added a sleeping loft overhead. The little guy crawling around in the loft is my son, Sam.


In coming days, I will be posting more about the people, projects, music, and events of Linton, and The Linton Casket Company. It was for all of us, a way of life for a few years.