Have you ever been curious about how your favorite Tennessee towns got their start? Well, us too. We love these darling spots – the good people, the great food – but how did they come to be? We did the hard work for you – you’re welcome.
- Nashville
Nashville - Wikipedia Founded in 1779, little Nashville was founded right by the site of Fort Nashboro. Its location on the river was key, and was named after American Revolutionary war hero Frances Nash.
- Savannah
Savannah - Wikipedia Originally called “Rudd’s Ferry”, the town was named after James Rudd. The spot was renamed after the famed Savannah, Georgia because it was Rudd’s wife’s hometown. Awww - love.
- Bristol
Bristol - Wikipedia1 Planning for the town of Bristol became in 1852 by Joseph Anderson. It was created based on a plan for railroad convergence and Anderson anticipated the need for a station. Interesting fact? The city was almost named “Paradise.”
- Memphis
Memphis - Wikipedia In 1819, Memphis was founded after the US government bought the land from local Chickasaw Native Americans. The Spanish had built a fort in the area two decades before, but it was quickly abandoned. One of the city founders was future president Andrew Jackson.
- Jonesborough
Jonesborough - Wikipedia Known as the oldest town in the state, Jonesborough is quite proud of its heritage. It was founded seventeen years before Tennessee became a state and continues to celebrate today. It was named after fore Tennessee became a state and while the area was under the jurisdiction of North Carolina. It was named after North Carolina legislator, Willie Jones, while still under Carolina and ended up becoming a hub for the abolitionist movement.
- Henning
Henning - Wikipedia Famed as the home of Alex Haley, Henning was built up shortly after the nearby Battle of Fort Pillow, a Confederate victory that reinvigorated the area after a series of hard knocks.
- Vonore
Vonore - Wikipedia In 1890, the Atlanta, Knoxville, and Northern Railroad was built through the area then known as Upton Station. It was in 1893 that a local doctor was told the name Upton Station was taken (the US Postal Service notified him of the issue), and he renamed the town Vonore. It was a combination of the German words, “von” (of) and “ore”, because the local folks believed coal would be a huge industry.
- Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge - Wikipedia Ah, Oak Ridge. Forever known as a town the atomic bomb built. Selected as the site for a pilot plutonium plant and the uranium enrichment plant, the town was built quickly and utilized to support 30,000 occupants, workers and their families. It wasn’t long before the Secret City was the fifth largest city in the state, consuming 1/7 of the electrical power in the WHOLE COUNTRY. Dang, Oak Ridge.
- Dandridge
Dandridge - Wikipedia Dandridge was settled in 1783 by European settlers, and it was named after Martha Dandridge Washington - the first First Lady. Have you heard of her? Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto had also spent time in the area, however did not contribute to the foundation of the town.
- Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle - Wikipedia According to legend, it was one of the first white men traveling through the area that named Bell Buckle. It is said that he found a cowbell and a buckle carved on a tree (strange), and no one is quite sure how they got there, but the nearby creek was named in honor of the carvings and the small town followed suit.
Interesting, hey? We didn’t know the half of it! If you’re still looking for a bit of history, take a look at the oldest town in Tennessee.
Nashville - Wikipedia
Founded in 1779, little Nashville was founded right by the site of Fort Nashboro. Its location on the river was key, and was named after American Revolutionary war hero Frances Nash.
Savannah - Wikipedia
Originally called “Rudd’s Ferry”, the town was named after James Rudd. The spot was renamed after the famed Savannah, Georgia because it was Rudd’s wife’s hometown. Awww - love.
Bristol - Wikipedia1
Planning for the town of Bristol became in 1852 by Joseph Anderson. It was created based on a plan for railroad convergence and Anderson anticipated the need for a station. Interesting fact? The city was almost named “Paradise.”
Memphis - Wikipedia
In 1819, Memphis was founded after the US government bought the land from local Chickasaw Native Americans. The Spanish had built a fort in the area two decades before, but it was quickly abandoned. One of the city founders was future president Andrew Jackson.
Jonesborough - Wikipedia
Known as the oldest town in the state, Jonesborough is quite proud of its heritage. It was founded seventeen years before Tennessee became a state and continues to celebrate today. It was named after fore Tennessee became a state and while the area was under the jurisdiction of North Carolina. It was named after North Carolina legislator, Willie Jones, while still under Carolina and ended up becoming a hub for the abolitionist movement.
Henning - Wikipedia
Famed as the home of Alex Haley, Henning was built up shortly after the nearby Battle of Fort Pillow, a Confederate victory that reinvigorated the area after a series of hard knocks.
Vonore - Wikipedia
In 1890, the Atlanta, Knoxville, and Northern Railroad was built through the area then known as Upton Station. It was in 1893 that a local doctor was told the name Upton Station was taken (the US Postal Service notified him of the issue), and he renamed the town Vonore. It was a combination of the German words, “von” (of) and “ore”, because the local folks believed coal would be a huge industry.
Oak Ridge - Wikipedia
Ah, Oak Ridge. Forever known as a town the atomic bomb built. Selected as the site for a pilot plutonium plant and the uranium enrichment plant, the town was built quickly and utilized to support 30,000 occupants, workers and their families. It wasn’t long before the Secret City was the fifth largest city in the state, consuming 1/7 of the electrical power in the WHOLE COUNTRY. Dang, Oak Ridge.
Dandridge - Wikipedia
Dandridge was settled in 1783 by European settlers, and it was named after Martha Dandridge Washington - the first First Lady. Have you heard of her? Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto had also spent time in the area, however did not contribute to the foundation of the town.
Bell Buckle - Wikipedia
According to legend, it was one of the first white men traveling through the area that named Bell Buckle. It is said that he found a cowbell and a buckle carved on a tree (strange), and no one is quite sure how they got there, but the nearby creek was named in honor of the carvings and the small town followed suit.
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