Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
City

Town square in Lawrenceburg with a statue of David Crockett in the center.
Motto: "Where Tradition Meets Progress"

Location of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Coordinates: 35°14′37″N 87°20′4″W / 35.24361°N 87.33444°WCoordinates: 35°14′37″N 87°20′4″W / 35.24361°N 87.33444°W
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Lawrence
Founded 1819[1]
Incorporated 1825
Named for James Lawrence
Government
  Type Mayor/Council/Administrator
  Chief of Police Keith Durham
  City Administrator Chris Shaffer
  City Council
Area
  Total 12.6 sq mi (32.6 km2)
  Land 12.6 sq mi (32.6 km2)
  Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 1,120+ feet, 335+ meters ft (273 m)
Population (2013)
  Total 14,723
  Density 857.6/sq mi (331.1/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
  Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 38464
Area code(s) 931
FIPS code 47-41340[2]
GNIS feature ID 1290790[3]
Website www.lawrenceburgtn.gov

Lawrenceburg is a city in Lawrence County, Tennessee on the banks of Shoal Creek; originally called the (Sycamore River). According to United States Census Bureau in 2010 the population was 10,428. with over 14,000 as of the end of 2013. Lawrenceburg is the county seat of Lawrence County.[4] Lawrenceburg is located southwest of Nashville at the junction of U.S. Routes 43 and 64 and named after War of 1812 American Navy officer James Lawrence. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee is called the Crossroads of Dixie, with US Hwy 64 and US Hwy 43 intersecting. With a population nearing 15,000 as of 2015 Lawrenceburg has become a destination city in the South and in Central Tennessee. Lawrence County's history presents a colorful past. Lawrence County was created October 21, 1817, by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly from mostly Indian Territory as a result of the Treaty of 1816 with the Chickasaw Indians.


Geography

Lawrenceburg is located at 35°14′37″N 87°20′4″W / 35.24361°N 87.33444°W (35.243491, -87.334563).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (33 km2). It is also the largest city on the State line between Chattanooga and Memphis Tennessee. Lawrenceburg and all of Lawrence County along with Lewis County are the only South West Middle Tennessee County's that are part of the Appalachian Mountain Region. Most of Lawrence County sets on top of a large mountain plateau that's also part of the Cumberland Plateau , with an average elevation of 810+ feet to over 1120+ feet, 335+ meters. You don't really notice the Mountain's of over 1000+ feet all around you because you are already at 810+ feet or more in most of the Country. Map of the Appalachian Region.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870351
188050343.3%
189061822.9%
190082333.2%
19101,687105.0%
19202,46145.9%
19303,10226.0%
19403,80722.7%
19505,44242.9%
19608,04247.8%
19708,88910.5%
198010,18414.6%
199010,4122.2%
200010,7963.7%
201010,428−3.4%
Est. 201210,4440.2%
Sources:[6][7]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 10,428 people residing in the city. As of the end of 2013 the population is approximately 14,000. The population density was 857.6 people per square mile (331.1/km²). There were 5,166 housing units at an average density of 410.4 per square mile (158.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.29% White, 3.94% Black, 0.43% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

There were 4,718 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24, and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,770, and the median income for a family was $32,856. Males had a median income of $27,264 versus $20,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,310. About 12.5% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

History

According to a recent theory, the Lawrenceburg area is the likely site of "Chicasa" the place where Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his men wintered in 1540-41 (earlier theories have suggested this campsite to have been in northern Mississippi). The Cherokee sold the area to the USA in 1806.

Upon moving from East Tennessee in the early 19th century, around 1817, David Crockett served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia, and a state representative. David Crockett established a powder mill on Shoal Creek originally called the (Sycamore River). this area is now known as his namesake, David Crockett State Park. Crockett was elected as a commissioner and served on the board that placed Lawrenceburg four miles (6 km) west of the geographic center of Lawrence County. Crockett was opposed to the city being located in its current location, largely out of fear of flooding. He and his family lived in Lawrenceburg for several years before moving to West Tennessee after a flood destroyed his mill.

After World War II, the Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company, a U.S. producer of bicycles and outdoor equipment, moved its manufacturing operations to Lawrenceburg, building a new factory and assembly plant. Over the next several decades, the Murray factory grew to be one of the largest in the United States: 42.7 acres (173,000 m2) under roof.

A 100-year flood struck Lawrenceburg in July 1998. At least one person was killed during the flood on Shoal Creek.[8]

Fred Thompson Rally in Lawrenceburg, 2008

Culture

Tourist attractions include David Crockett State Park, http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/david-crockett an over 1,100-acre park, it has a museum, two campgrounds containing a total of 107 sites 30 amp electrical and water hookups. Some equipped with a table, fire ring and grill and The park has an onsite restaurant http://tnstateparks.com/parks/restaurant/david-crockett-restaurant that overlooks the beautiful 40+-acre scenic Lindsey Lake. The restaurant features southern home-style cooking from the buffet or menu see full menu here http://tnstateparks.com/assets/pdf/additional-content/david-crockett_menu.pdf . An Olympic-sized swimming pool. and more than six miles of hiking trails. David Crockett State Park has beautiful cabins near beautiful Lindsey Lake full of bass, crappie, Bluegill and catfish. for great fishing. Each cabin is completely furnished with two bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen and covered patio. A paved bicycle trail carries you through the woods for over 3 miles where you may see wildlife along the ride. Jon boats are available for rent year-round and pedal boats are available from Memorial Day Weekend until the 2nd weekend in August. the beautiful Crockett Waterfall on the Shoal Creek; originally called the (Sycamore River). Amish Country, and the James D. Vaughan Gospel Music Museum. Lawrence County is also the birthplace of Southern Gospel Music and visitors to historic downtown Lawrenceburg can see where it all began at the James D. Vaughan Museum on the Square. The downtown area also has a David Crockett statue and cabin and one of the only two Mexican War Monuments in the U.S. In addition to the year-round attractions, Lawrence County plays host to festivals and celebrations practically every weekend from May to October with events such as the Summertown Bluegrass Festivals, Oktoberfest in Loretto, the south's largest Antique Tractor Show, the Middle Tennessee District Fair, also the State Championship Barbecue Cook-off, the James D. Vaughan Homecoming Singing, the Heritage Festival, David Crockett Days - the list goes on and on...


Major annual events

Event Setting and Details
David Crockett Days Held in August at David Crockett State Park, this event celebrates David Crockett's birthday with outdoor events, food, and crafts.
Middle Tennessee District Fair Hosted at Rotary Park, the week-long fair is the largest annual event in the county, featuring food, shopping, livestock, craft and food exhibits, a midway with rides and games, and nightly events such as the "Fairest of the Fair" beauty pageants, demolition derby, and more.
Southeast Law Enforcement Training Seminar Since the late 1990s, the annual educational and training event has hosted around 1,000 police officers at local venues for a week each summer. Internationally recognized law enforcement specialists conduct presentations and offer courses during the convention.

Education

The city is home to Lawrence County High School, E.O. Coffman Middle School, Ingram Sowell Elementary School, David Crockett Elementary School, Leoma Elementary, New Prospect Elementary, and Lawrenceburg Public Elementary School. The local school district also operates an adult secondary educational facility and a specialized achievement school for K-12 students within the city's borders.

Private School Sacred Heart Elementary.

Post-Secondary Lawrenceburg is home to a satellite campus of Columbia State Community College. http://www.columbiastate.edu/

Radio broadcasting

Notable people

References

  1. Paul Hellman, Historical Gazetteer of the United States (Taylor and Francis, 2005), p. 1018.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  7. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  8. Tennessee Flooding Events: Lawrenceburg, TN - July 1998 - Shoal Creek. Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, National Weather Service. Retrieved 2013-12-21.

External links