| McMinnville, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Warren County Courthouse | |
| Location in Warren County and the state of Tennessee. | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Warren |
| Founded | August 4, 1810 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor and Board of Aldermen |
| • Mayor | Dr. Norman Rone |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.0 sq mi (25.9 km2) |
| • Land | 10.0 sq mi (25.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 968 ft (295 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 13,695 |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 37110, 37111 |
| Area code(s) | 931 |
| FIPS code | 47-45100[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1652432[2] |
| Website | McMinnvilleTenn.com |
McMinnville is the largest city in and the county seat of Warren County, Tennessee, United States.[3] The population was 13,605 at the 2010 census. It was named after Joseph McMinn, a governor of Tennessee, in 1810.
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McMinnville is located at (35.686708, -85.779309)[4], approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Cookeville and 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Chattanooga.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2), all of it land. Elevation is 968 feet (295 m), as it sits near the foot of the Cumberland Plateau and on the Highland Rim.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,749 people, 5,419 households and 3,332 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,273.4 per square mile (491.7/km²). There were 5,961 housing units at an average density of 595.4 per square mile (229.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.42% White, 4.15% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.00% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.81% of the population.
There were 5,419 households of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,810, and the median income for a family was $32,759. Males had a median income of $28,474 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,074. About 21.0% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.
The area in and around McMinnville includes over 50 business and manufacturing plants including Bridgestone-Firestone and over 450 nurseries. The nursery business generates over $300 million in revenue and has given the area the title of "Nursery Capital of the World".[5] Every year the city hosts the Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Trade Show at the McMinnville Civic Center.[6] The city's industrial needs are served by the Caney Fork and Western Railroad.
McMinnville, like many other American smaller cities and towns, has went through a revitalization of its downtown area. "Main Street McMinnville" serves as the city's non-profit revitalization organization funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Tennessee's own Main Street Program.[7]
McMinnville has eight elementary and middle schools, and 3 high schools, including private and public schools. The public school system is ran by the Warren Schools system.[8] The city also is home to Motlow State Community College and a branch of the Tennessee Technology Center.[9]
McMinnville has one media outlet the Southern Standard daily newspaper. The city also has access to five regional radio stations serving sports, country music, talk radio and religious enthusiasts.[10]
Six different state routes pass in or around McMinnville. The city is also served by the Warren County Memorial Airport.
Electricity for the city is handled by McMinnville Electric System and the Caney Fork Electric Cooperative. The Warren County Utility District handles water needs with support from the city, who also handles sewage. The Middle Tennessee Gas Utility District manages gas distribution and landline telephone services are maintained by Ben Lomand Telephone and Frontier Communications.[11]
The city hosts a number of annual and frequent events. The non-profit downtown revitalization organization Main Street McMinnville hosts "Main Street LIVE!", a summer concert series that is held in June and July.[12] In Autumn, the Chamber of Commerce hosts the Autumn Street Fair on one day in October. It features crafts, food, live music, and other activities in downtown McMinnville.[13] Throughout spring, summer and winter the city hosts the Warren County Farmers Market.[14]
Falcon Rest, built in 1896, once served as the home of entrepreneur Clay Faulkner and his family. A large 10,000 square-foot mansion, at the time of it's completion it featured electric lights, indoor plumbing and central heat. PBS described the home as "Tennessee's Biltmore" due to its innovations and grandeur. In the 1940s the home was made into a hospital and nursing home and was eventually renamed Faulkner Springs Hospital. In 1989 George McGlothin bought the house and renovated it to its former 1896 appearance.[15] In 1982 the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[16] The renovations earned the house the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Great American Home Award in 1997. The house is open to the public for tours, shopping, dining and special events. It also claims to be the home to a "friendly ghost".[15] The Black House is the oldest remaining residence in the city. Built in 1825 by Jesse Coffee, it was one of the first in the area to have a brick exterior. It's current name stems from former occupant Dr. Thomas Black and his family. Dr. Black practiced medicine at the house. In the 1980s it was deeded to his relative, Jean Leonard, who worked with the Eagle Club to begin restoration on the house. The house serves as a museum and provides tours to the public.[17] In 1983 the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[18]
The Park Theatre, in downtown McMinnville, was opened in 1939. The theater had 1000 seats and two restaurants. In 1947 a fire closed the theater and in 1948 it was reopened again after renovations. The theater closed in 1986 and the building has since been purchased by a private group. It's undergoing renovations and will re-open as an entertainment center and multi-use facility.[19] The former McMinnville Opera House, built in 1888 by African American entrepreneur William Hawchins, burnt down in 2008. The opera house held the city's first silent film showing.
McMinnville has serves as home to Cumberland Caverns and Court Square Park. Cumberland Caverns is the largest show cave in the state. At a total of 32 miles of underground caverns, Cumberland Caverns formally held the title of the 2nd largest cave in the United States. A notable feature of the caverns is the "Volcano Room", which is large enough to hold 500 people at once and features a chandelier from the former Loews Metropolitan Theater of New York City.[20] The McMinnville Parks & Recreation Department manages five city parks, the McMinnville Farmers Market, the Barren Forks Greenway, a playground, a fitness and wellness center, and local sports leagues. The parks department also manages the McMinnville Civic Center which serves as a community center for sports and special events.[21]
Each May McMinnville serves as the rallying point for the Highland Rim Cycling Classic. The event brings over 400 road cyclists from around the world.[22] The city also hosts the McMinnville City Triathlon in May. The event features a 200 meter swim, 11.5 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run.[23]
McMinnville has served as the birthplace or residency of a number of notable figures. Charles Faulkner Bryan, music computer, musician and musicologist of folk music was born on July 29, 1911, in McMinnville. He'd eventually leave to attend the Nashville Conservatory of Music.[24] Country music's Uncle Dave Macon was born just outside of McMinnville. Macon would go on to move to Nashville in 1884. A memorial at the Warren County Courthouse memorializes his birth and is built out of brick from the home he was born in.[25] Dinah Shore grew up in McMinnville, where her family moved in 1924 and her father owned a department store. United States government official, journalist and author Carl Rowan was raised in McMinnville. Born in Ravenscroft in 1925, he worked in the nurseries of McMinnville hoeing bulbs as a teenager for 10 cents an hour.[26] Country singer Dottie West was born just outside of McMinnville in 1932.[27]
Chicago Cubs bullpen coach Lester Strode was born and raised in McMinnville. Born in 1958, he was one of eight African Americans in a class of 500 at Warren County Senior High School. He credits his experience of being a minority and the relationship with his high school coach as shaping his decisions as an sports professional. In 2006 the high school retired his uniform number.[28] A second pro baseball player, Jamie Walker, was also born in McMinnville in 1971.[29] McMinnville is also home to wrestler Mike Droese.
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