Bear Spring is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a parcel of land that is not governed by a local general-purpose municipal corporation. (At p. 178.) They may be governed or serviced by an encompassing unit (such as a county) or another branch of the state (such as th ...
in
Stewart County, Tennessee
Stewart County is a county located on the northwestern corner of Middle Tennessee, in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,657. Its county seat is Dover. Stewart County is part of the Clarksville Metr ...
, in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
.
History
In 1830, the Bear Spring Iron Furnace was constructed, serving as the first charcoal cold-blast furnace in the area. At its peak work rate in 1850, the furnace could produce over 2000 tons of metal. The furnace closed down in 1854 and was destroyed by Union Troops in 1864. It was reconstructed at its current location in 1873, where it has remained ever since.
A post office called Bear Spring was established in 1893, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1948. According to local history, the community was so named when a pioneer settler shot a bear in a nearby spring.
References
Unincorporated communities in Stewart County, Tennessee
Unincorporated communities in Tennessee
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