Adamsville, Tennessee

Adamsville is a city in Hardin and McNairy counties, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,207 at the 2010 census. Adamsville is named after George D. Adams, who operated an inn and stagecoach stop in the 1840s. Adamsville's nickname is the "Biggest Little Town in Tennessee" and was the home of Sheriff Buford Pusser.

History

The area in and around Adamsville was first surveyed by Davy Crockett. Just after 1818, George C. Adams and his family were the first settlers of European ancestry to locate to the area. A trading post would be opened, just north of where the Adamsville Cemetery is today. The trading post served the local Native communities and Anglo settlers. In 1838 the Bell's detachment of the Trail of Tears traveled through Adamsville. Settlers from North Carolina and Maury County, Tennessee migrated to the area and the settlement developed an agricultural economy. When the Battle of Shiloh was fought in 1862, Union Army soldiers were camped in Adamsville.

Ashley Durham, Prior to that battle, the Skirmish at Adamsville resulted in a Confederate victory.

Adamsville was incorporated in 1870. The town struggled to grow until roads were improved in the early 20th century. Agriculture remained the main economic developer until the textile industry came into the area with Myrna Mills factory opening, and then other factories following.

Severe Weather

In 1991 a strong F3 tornado ripped through the little town destroying homes, the tornado had also moved through neighboring city of Selmer.

On October 26, 2019, Post Tropical Storm Olga moved through the area, Adamsville being caught in the eyewall remnants experienced the worst damage in the area. The incident caused one death.

On March 31, 2023, a large and destructive EF3 tornado tore through the outskirts of town, killing 9 people and injuring 23. The tornado caused major damage to trees and many homes in the area.

Geography

Adamsville is located at (35.250124, -88.390311).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.9 square miles (18.0 km), of which 6.9 square miles (17.9 km) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.1 km) (0.72%) is water.

Adamsville is located primarily in McNairy County; only a small part of the municipal area lies in Hardin County.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,265 people, 836 households, and 519 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,983 people, 835 households, and 552 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 937 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.13% White, 1.01% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.10% Asian, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 835 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,929, and the median income for a family was $37,993. Males had a median income of $31,154 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,806. About 13.0% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 36.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Adamsville has an 85-acre industrial park and four miles east of the town proper is the Tennessee Technology Center. Ripley Industries, a parts supplier for the automotive industry and related industrial fabricators, has its corporate headquarters in the town. Jones Exhaust Systems, engineering consultants Aqua Dynamics Group, Langley Wire Cloth Products, and Better Source Supply Company all have major locations in the town, as well. The Adamsville Partnership organization was formed by local businesses, property owners, professionals and related parties to promote the community.

Arts and culture

An Adamsville restaurant serves "slugburgers", a delicacy found in west Tennessee, northeast Mississippi and northwest Alabama. The Fat Cat slugburger consists of a hamburger patty made of beef and soy grits which is then deep fried and served on a bun with condiments. Another local delicacy found in restaurants is the baked cabbage.

Annual events

Adamsville holds a large number of annual events. Every Memorial Day weekend the four-day Buford Pusser Festival is held at the Buford Pusser Memorial Park. The local preliminary for Miss Tennessee, the Miss Walking Tall Pageant is held at The Marty Community Center. A number of other cultural events such as the HeeHaw Show, Founders Day, and a 5K Run in the spring.

Points of interest

The Buford Pusser Home and Museum is located in Adamsville in the former home of the county sheriff. Pusser is also buried in the Adamsville Cemetery. Gibb's Gas & Oil Collectibles is an appointment only museum of old gas pumps, gas and oil signs, oil can