The city of Lawrenceburg is the
county seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...
of
Lawrence County,
Tennessee
Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
,
The largest city on the state's southern border between
Chattanooga
Chattanooga ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. Located along the Tennessee River bordering Georgia, it also extends into Marion County on its western end. With a population of 181,099 in 2020, ...
and
Memphis
Memphis most commonly refers to:
* Memphis, Egypt, a former capital of ancient Egypt
* Memphis, Tennessee, a major American city
Memphis may also refer to:
Places United States
* Memphis, Alabama
* Memphis, Florida
* Memphis, Indiana
* Memp ...
, it lies on the banks of
Shoal Creek. The population was 11,633 at the
2020 United States Census
The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...
. The city is named after
War of 1812
The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...
American Navy officer
James Lawrence
James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) was an officer of the United States Navy. During the War of 1812, he commanded in a single-ship action against , commanded by Philip Broke. He is probably best known today for his last words, ...
.
Located around southwest of
Nashville
Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...
at the junction of U.S. Routes
43 and
64, Lawrenceburg is called the "Crossroads of Dixie."
History
According to a recent theory, the Lawrenceburg area is the likely site of "
Chicasa"—the place where Spanish explorer
Hernando de Soto
Hernando de Soto (; ; 1500 – 21 May, 1542) was a Spanish explorer and '' conquistador'' who was involved in expeditions in Nicaragua and the Yucatan Peninsula. He played an important role in Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire ...
and his men wintered in 1540–41 (though earlier theories have suggested this campsite to have been in northern
Mississippi
Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
). The
Chickasaw Nation
The Chickasaw Nation (Chickasaw language, Chickasaw: Chikashsha I̠yaakni) is a federally recognized tribes, federally recognized Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribe, with its headquarters located in Ada, Oklahoma in th ...
sold the area to the US in 1816.
Upon moving from East Tennessee into the region around 1817, David Crockett served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia, and a state representative.
David Crockett
David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Re ...
established a powder mill on Shoal Creek originally called the Sycamore River. This area is now home to
David Crockett State Park
David Crockett State Park is a state park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
The park is located on Shoal Creek (originally called the Sycamore River) and commemorates the historical activities of famous frontiersman David Crockett in the local are ...
. 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
West Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions (Tennessee), Grand Divisions of the U.S. state of Tennessee that roughly comprises the western quarter of the state. The region includes 21 counties between the Tennessee River, Tennessee and Miss ...
after a flood destroyed his mill.
After
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, 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: under roof.
A flood struck Lawrenceburg in July 1998, killing two people on
Shoal Creek.
Following the flood, the city undertook a 10-year flood control project that dramatically reduced risk for major flooding that had plagued the town since the days of Davy Crockett.
Geography
Lawrenceburg is located at (35.243491, −87.334563).
The city of Lawrenceburg has a total area of . It is the largest city on the state line between Chattanooga and Memphis. Located on the southern Highland Rim, Lawrence County and Lawrenceburg are set atop of a large mountain plateau of the Appalachian Mountain range with elevations ranging between to over .
Map of the Appalachian Mountain Range.
Climate
Demographics
2020 census
As of the
2020 United States census
The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...
, there were 11,633 people, 4,535 households, and 2,489 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2010, there were 10,428 people living in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 857.6 people per square mile (331.1/km). There were 5,166 housing units at an average density of 410.4 per square mile (158.4/km). The racial makeup of the city was 94% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.6% from Some Other Race, and 2.1% from Two or More Races. Hispanic or Latino people represented 2% of the population.
There were 4,579 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39% were a husband-wife family living together, 15% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were nonfamily households. 36.4% of nonfamily households were made up of a householder living alone, and 18.1% of nonfamily households consisted of a person living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23, and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age of a person in Lawrenceburg during the
2010 United States Census
The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators servin ...
was 40.8 years. The population was 53.4% female and 46.6% male.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,286, and the median income for a family was $47,143. Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers was $34,960 versus $26,188 for female full-time, year-round workers. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the city was $20,587. About 12.6% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Tourist attractions include David Crockett State Park and Amish Country.
Lawrence County is 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 has a statue of
David "Davy" Crockett, a replica of Crockett's office, and one of the only two
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the (''United States intervention in Mexico''), was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It followed the 1 ...
monuments in the U.S.
Major annual events
Education
The city is home to five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, as well as a satellite campus of
Columbia State Community College
Columbia State Community College is a public community college in Columbia, Tennessee. Founded in 1966, it serves nine counties in southern Middle Tennessee through five campuses. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schoo ...
. Lawrenceburg is also home to the Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center. 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.
High schools
· Lawrence County High School
Middle schools
· E.O. Coffman Middle School
Elementary schools
· Ingram Sowell Elementary School
· David Crockett Elementary School
· New Prospect Elementary School
· Lawrenceburg Public Elementary School
· Sacred Heart Elementary School
Radio broadcasting
*
WDXE "AM 1370 FM 105.3 The Legend WDXE"
*
WLFM "
K-Love"
*
WLLX
WLLX (97.5 FM) is a Class C2 FM radio station serving the southern Tennessee area. The station was one of the first in the nation to own and operate a live, color weather radar system and distribute the images to its listeners via a subcarrier on ...
"The TN Valley's Superstation 97.5 / 98.3 WLX"
Television broadcasting
*
Tennessee Valley Weather
Notable people
*
Davy Crockett
David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Re ...
for a time called Lawrenceburg home. Many landmarks and businesses now include Crockett in their names.
David Crockett State Park
David Crockett State Park is a state park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
The park is located on Shoal Creek (originally called the Sycamore River) and commemorates the historical activities of famous frontiersman David Crockett in the local are ...
on the western edge of the city and the David Crockett Monument located on the city square are two spots that pay homage to the legendary outdoorsman.
*
Michael Jeter
Robert Michael Jeter (; August 26, 1952 – March 30, 2003) was an American actor. His television roles included Herman Stiles on the sitcom ''Evening Shade'' from 1990 until 1994 and Mr. Noodle's brother, Mister Noodle, on the '' Elmo's World'' ...
(1952-2003),
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
-winning actor for ''
Grand Hotel A grand hotel is a large and luxurious hotel, especially one housed in a building with traditional architectural style. It began to flourish in the 1800s in Europe and North America.
Grand Hotel may refer to:
Hotels Africa
* Grande Hotel Beir ...
'', also had a memorable film role in ''
The Green Mile'', played Mister Noodle on ''
Sesame Street
''Sesame Street'' is an American educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation and puppetry. It is produced by Sesame Workshop (known as the Children's Television Workshop until June 2000) a ...
''; born in Lawrenceburg.
*
James Daniel Niedergeses
James Daniel Niedergeses (February 2, 1917 – November 16, 2007) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee from 1975 to 1992.
Biography
James Niedergeses bo ...
,
bishop
A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution.
In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville
The Diocese of Nashville ( la, Dioecesis Nashvillensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church that encompasses 38 counties spread over 16,302 square miles of Middle Tennessee. The Catholic population of the d ...
*
Adger M. Pace
Adger M. Pace (August 13, 1882 - February 12, 1959) was an American hymn writer, music performer and teacher. He (co-)wrote close to 4,000 Southern gospel shape note songs, including ''Jesus Is All I Need'', ''My Father Answers Prayers'', ''Beaut ...
(1882-1959), Southern gospel hymn writer
*
Ingram C. Sowell (1892-1947), rear admiral, US Navy, and recipient of the
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is eq ...
*
Fred Dalton Thompson
Freddie Dalton Thompson (August 19, 1942 – November 1, 2015) was an American politician, attorney, lobbyist, columnist, actor, and radio personality. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a United States Senator from Tennessee f ...
(1942-2015), lawyer, U.S. senator, actor, and ''
Law & Order
''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise.
''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
'' cast-member; sought the
GOP
The Republican Party, also referred to as the GOP ("Grand Old Party"), is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. The GOP was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists who opposed the Kansas–Nebraska Act, ...
nomination for president in the 2008 campaign
*
James David Vaughan
James David Vaughan (December 14, 1864 – February 9, 1941) was an American music teacher, composer, song book publisher, the founder of the Vaughan Conservatory of Music and the James D. Vaughan Publishing Company.
Biography
Vaughan was b ...
, credited as the father of
Southern gospel
Southern gospel music is a genre of Christian music. Its name comes from its origins in the southeastern United States. Its lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as ...
music and founder of the Vaughan Publishing Company in downtown Lawrenceburg
*
William Burton Walbert
William Burton Walbert (May 18, 1886 – December 2, 1959) was an American Southern gospel songwriter, singer, composer, and editor. He (co-)wrote many songs, and he was the director of the Vaughan School of Music in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
E ...
(1886-1959), Southern gospel singer-songwriter
*
David Weathers
John David Weathers (born September 25, 1969) is an American former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 ...
, former pitcher for the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
; father of Ryan Weathers
*
Ryan Weathers
Ryan Weathers (born December 17, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the San Diego Padres.
Amateur career
Weathers attended Loretto High Scho ...
,
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
in the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
organization
References
External links
City of Lawrenceburg Government
{{authority control
Cities in Tennessee
Cities in Lawrence County, Tennessee
County seats in Tennessee
Davy Crockett