Walnut Room

W. Grady Carper (1906-1987) married Ruth Morris (1911-2010) in 1953.  Grady was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He was born and raised on a small farm in Giles County. Grady had to fight for an education, walking or riding a bike or horse several miles to school. He had to leave college to help his family on the farm after the death of his father. Even without a college degree he went on to teach at a local high school for three years before entering the insurance business in 1927. Through his religious, civic and community leadership, he helped make Princeton a better place for all to live.  He was director of the Concord College Foundation and instrumental in getting the Princeton municipal pool built.

Grady owned several properties and was co-owner of the Walnut Room Restaurant. The restaurant was located on Oakvale Road, between Princeton and the Turnpike.  The Walnut Room specialized in steaks, chops, seafood, and it offered businessmen’s specials. It was open 7 days a week from 6:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. 

J. Richard ‘Dick’ Copeland (1924-2014) was a U. S. Navy veteran spending 2 years on active duty and 10 years in the  U.S. Naval Reserve. After returning home to Princeton he went into the insurance business and was a partner with Grady Carper. He was co-owner with Grady of the Walnut Room Restaurant and the adjacent Oakwood Motor Court. Dick contributed his funds, time and commitment to transform part of Mercer Street into Princeton Town Square which is named after him.

John Benjamin Taylor Sr. (1933-2020) was married to Virginia Lee ‘Jenny’ Johnson.  He was a Korean U.S. Navy veteran.  He bought the Walnut Room Restaurant. In addition to the restaurant he owned Taylor’s Ashland Truck Stop on Oakvale Road, Taylor’s Truck Stop on Hilltop Lane, Taylor’s Garage, and the Red Carriage Supper Club in Princeton. He was also a contractor who built at least 5 houses in the Princeton area.

The Walnut Room Restaurant is no longer in business.