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McMinn benefits from central location
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| John Gentry | |
ATHENS, Tenn. -- Central East Tennessee's McMinn County borders the scenic Hiwassee River, the Cherokee National Forest and six other rural counties in its position halfway between Chattanooga and Knoxville.
In the past decade, McMinn County has swelled by more than 7 percent, pushing its population over 50,000, U.S. Census Bureau records show. McMinn is nestled in a rolling landscape with five small towns scattered across it, the county seat of Athens at its center.
County Mayor John Gentry said McMinn has a "unique flavor" because of its relative isolation between the metro areas to the north and south.
"We're almost an independent economy," Mr. Gentry said. McMinn's isolation is dwindling as Bradley County booms northward and Knoxville development spreads south, he said.
"We're becoming less isolated, but at the same time, those opportunities make us a very special place to live," he said.
Quick history
* The county, established in 1819 and named for Tennessee Gov. Joseph McMinn, was created from lands ceded by the Cherokees in the Hiwassee Purchase.
* Its oldest town, Calhoun, was chartered in 1820 across the river from the Cherokee Indian Agency. Athens, today's county seat, was chartered in 1822.
* In 1920, state Rep. Harry T. Burn of Niota cast the deciding vote approving the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The Senate had passed the measure, but a tie vote occurred twice in the House. Having previously voted in opposition, Rep. Burn switched his vote, breaking the tie and making Tennessee the required 36th state to approve ratification.
* McMinn County's historical attractions are the exhibits at the L&N Depot in Etowah, the Englewood Textile Museum and the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens.
Newcomers often are drawn by the area's industrial growth, but "the other part is retirees," he said. "I've had folks call the office from Florida," he said. "It was a geographic decision."
People like to be near Interstate 75 and the Appalachian Mountains while larger cities are less than an hour away, he said.
Leslie McKee, who works at Athens City Hall, is the definition of a "halfback," moving from her native New Jersey to Florida and then to Tennessee.
Her husband, Darrell, is a McMinn native, and the reason she's there, but it's the people and natural beauty that appeals, she said.
"I love the people; the people are wonderful," Mrs. McKee said. "They are just very down-home, sweet, friendly and warm.
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