Free Email Login
Click
here to Sign up
|
» About
Lawrence County
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.
The county seat,
Lawrenceburg, was chosen in 1819 because of its proximity to the center
of the county and the fact that Jackson's
Military Road ran on the eastern edge of the town. In April, 1821,
the road was changed to go through the center of the town.
This road was
a major thoroughfare from Natchez,
Mississippi, to Nashville,
Tennessee, and has played a significant role in the development
of the county. The county and county seat were both named in honor of Captain
James Lawrence, U.S. Naval hero of the War
of 1812.
One of the
first commissioners and justices of the peace from Lawrence County was
David
Crockett. He ran a water-powered grist mill, powder mill and distillery
in the area of the county that is now David
Crockett State Park. Although he was only here for four or five
years,
David Crockett
had a tremendous impact on the county and is a main attraction for tourists.
In addition
to the county seat of Lawrenceburg, other primary communities are presently
Summertown, Henryville, Ethridge, Leoma, Loretto, St. Joe, West Point,
and Iron City. Most of these were once major towns and their existence
came about either because of Jackson's
Military Road or due to iron ore mining.
In 1944, the
Amish
people migrated to this area and have been an asset ever since. They are
simple-living people, holding onto their strong religious and cultural
beliefs.
They do not believe in bearing arms, worldly pleasures, electricity, mechanical
machinery or automobiles. They are farmers and skilled craftsmen, and one
of this counties main tourist attractions.
In Summertown, Tennessee, located
on 3 square miles, Is The
Farm is home to approximately 200 persons today.
Founded in 1971 with a spiritual
commitment to simple living and self-reliance, The Farm has pioneered a
wide range of social and physical technologies appropriate to low-cost,
high satisfaction community living.
The community offers examples of
right livelihood cottage industries, solar building design, permaculture,
micro-enterprise, mushroom
cultivation, composting and gardening, and regenerative hardwood forest
management.
|
