McMinnville, Tennessee

McMinnville, Tennessee
City
Main Street and water tower
Location in Warren County and the state of Tennessee.
Coordinates: 35°41′12″N 85°46′46″W / 35.68667°N 85.77944°WCoordinates: 35°41′12″N 85°46′46″W / 35.68667°N 85.77944°W
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
County	Warren
Founded	August 4, 1810
Incorporated	1868[1]
Named for	Joseph McMinn
Government
• Type	Mayor and Board of Aldermen
• Mayor	Jimmy Haley
Area
• Total	10.0 sq mi (25.9 km^2)
• Land	10.0 sq mi (25.9 km^2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km^2)
Elevation	968 ft (295 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	13,695
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	37110, 37111
Area code(s)	931
FIPS code	47-45100[2]
GNIS feature ID	1652432[3]
Website	McMinnvilleTenn.com

McMinnville is the largest city in and the county seat of Warren County, Tennessee, United States.^[4] The population was 13,605 at the 2010 census. It was named for Governor Joseph McMinn.

Geography

McMinnville is located at 35°41′12″N 85°46′46″W / 35.68667°N 85.77944°W (35.686708, -85.779309),^[5] approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Cookeville and 70 miles (110 km) northwest of Chattanooga.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km²), all land. McMinnville lies at an elevation of 968 feet (295 m), as it sits along the Eastern Highland Rim near the base of the Cumberland Plateau. The city is drained primarily by the Barren Fork, a tributary of the Collins River.

Nearby cities and towns

Morrison Viola Centertown Rock Island Beersheeba Springs

Spencer Sparta Smithville Woodbury Manchester

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	420		—
1870	1,172		—
1880	1,244		6.1%
1890	1,677		34.8%
1900	1,980		18.1%
1910	2,299		16.1%
1920	2,814		22.4%
1930	3,914		39.1%
1940	4,649		18.8%
1950	7,577		63.0%
1960	9,013		19.0%
1970	10,662		18.3%
1980	10,683		0.2%
1990	11,194		4.8%
2000	12,749		13.9%
2010	13,605		6.7%
Est. 2014	13,620	[6]	0.1%
Sources:[7][8]

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 12,749 people, 5,419 households and 3,332 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,273.4 per square mile (491.7/km²). There were 5,961 housing units at an average density of 595.4 per square mile (229.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.42% White, 4.15% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.00% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.81% of the population.

There were 5,419 households of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,810, and the median income for a family was $32,759. Males had a median income of $28,474 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,074. About 21.0% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The McMinnville area includes over 50 business and manufacturing plants and over 450 nurseries. The nursery business generates over $300 million in revenue and has given the area the title of "Nursery Capital of the World".^[9] The city's industrial needs are served by the Caney Fork and Western Railroad.

McMinnville, like many smaller American cities and towns, has gone through a revitalization of its downtown area. "Main Street McMinnville" serves as the city's non-profit revitalization organization funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Tennessee's own Main Street Program.^[10]

Education

McMinnville has eight elementary and middle schools, and 3 high schools, including private and public schools. The public school system is run by the Warren County Schools system.^[11] The city also is home to Motlow State Community College and a branch of the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.^[12]

Media

McMinnville has one daily newspaper, the Southern Standard. The city also has access to five regional radio stations serving sports, country music, talk radio and religious enthusiasts.^[13]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Six different state routes pass in or around McMinnville. The city is also served by the Warren County Memorial Airport.

• U.S. 70S/State Route 1
• State Route 56
• State Route 55
• State Route 380
• State Route 286
• State Route 108

Utilities

Electricity for the city is handled by McMinnville Electric System and the Caney Fork Electric Cooperative. The Warren County Utility District handles water needs with support from the city, who also handles sewage. The Middle Tennessee Gas Utility District manages gas distribution and landline telephone services are maintained by Ben Lomand Telephone and Frontier Communications.^[14]

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

The Grand Reopening of the New Park Theater was May, 16th 2015. Located on West Main Street, this 2 million dollar facility was restored to its original beauty and is now the home of concerts, plays, and movies.

The city hosts a number of annual and frequent events. The non-profit downtown revitalization organization Main Street McMinnville hosts "Main Street LIVE!", a summer concert series that is held in June and July.^[15] In Autumn, the Chamber of Commerce hosts the Autumn Street Fair on one day in October. It features crafts, food, live music, and other activities in downtown McMinnville.^[16] Throughout spring, summer and winter the city hosts the Warren County Farmers Market.^[17]

Museums and other points of interest

The Black House

Falcon Rest, built in 1896, once served as the home of entrepreneur Clay Faulkner and his family. A large 10,000 square-foot mansion, at the time of its completion it featured electric lights, indoor plumbing and central heat. PBS described the home as "Tennessee's Biltmore" due to its innovations and grandeur. In the 1940s the home was made into a hospital and nursing home and was eventually renamed Faulkner Springs Hospital. In 1989 George McGlothin bought the house and renovated it to its former 1896 appearance.^[18] In 1992 the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[19] The renovations earned the house the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Great American Home Award in 1997. The house is open to the public for tours, shopping, dining and special events. It also claims to be the home to a "friendly ghost".^[18] The Black House is the oldest remaining residence in the city. Built in 1825 by Jesse Coffee, it was one of the first in the area to have a brick exterior. Its current name stems from former occupant Dr. Thomas Black and his family. Dr. Black practiced medicine at the house. In the 1980s it was deeded to his relative, Jean Leonard, who worked with the Eagle Club to begin restoration on the house. The house serves as a museum and provides tours to the public.^[20] In 1983 the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.^[21]

The Park Theatre, in downtown McMinnville, was opened in 1939. The theater had 1000 seats and two restaurants. In 1947 a fire closed the theater and in 1948 it was reopened again after renovations. The theater closed in 1986 and the building has since been purchased by a private group. It is undergoing renovations and will re-open as an entertainment center and multi-use facility.^[22] The former McMinnville Opera House, built in 1888 by African American entrepreneur William Hawchins, burnt down in 2008. The opera house held the city's first silent film showing.

Parks & Rec

McMinnville serves as home to Cumberland Caverns and Court Square Park. Cumberland Caverns is the largest show cave in the state. At a total of 32 miles of underground caverns, Cumberland Caverns formerly held the title of the second largest cave in the United States. A notable feature of the caverns is the "Volcano Room", which is large enough to hold 500 people and features a chandelier from the former Loews Metropolitan Theater of New York City.^[23] The McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department manages five city parks, the McMinnville Farmers Market, the Barren Forks Greenway, a playground, a fitness and wellness center, and local sports leagues. The parks department also manages the McMinnville Civic Center, which serves as a community center for sports and special events.^[24]

Sports

Each May McMinnville serves as the rallying point for the Highland Rim Cycling Classic. The event brings over 400 road cyclists from around the world.^[25] The city also hosts the McMinnville City Triathlon in May. The event features a 200-meter swim, 11.5 mile bike ride and a 2-mile run.^[26]

Sister city relations

• Mikawa, Yamagata, Japan^[27]

Notable people

McMinnville has served as the birthplace or residence of a number of notable figures. Charles Faulkner Bryan, music composer, musician and musicologist of folk music was born on July 29, 1911, in McMinnville. He would eventually leave to attend the Nashville Conservatory of Music.^[28] Country music's Uncle Dave Macon was born just outside McMinnville. Macon would go on to move to Nashville in 1884. A memorial at the Warren County Courthouse memorializes his birth and is built of brick from the home of his birth.^[29] Dinah Shore grew up in McMinnville, where her family moved in 1924 and her father owned a department store. United States government official, journalist and author Carl Rowan was raised in McMinnville. Born in Ravenscroft in 1925, he worked in the nurseries of McMinnville, hoeing bulbs as a teenager for $.10 per hour.^[30] Country Music legend Dottie West was born just outside McMinnville in 1932 in the Frog Pond community. Her mother owned the once noted "Park Grill" downtown where Dottie often helped out waitressing. West is buried in the town's Mount Olivet Cemetery.^[31] Posthumous Medal of Honor recipient David R. Ray was born in McMinnville in 1945.

Chicago Cubs bullpen coach Lester Strode was born and raised in McMinnville. Born in 1958, he was one of eight African Americans in a class of 500 at Warren County Senior High School. He credits his experience of being a minority and the relationship with his high school coach as shaping his decisions as a sports professional. In 2006, the high school retired his uniform number.^[32] A second pro baseball player, Jamie Walker, was also born in McMinnville in 1971.^[33]

References

1. Tennessee Blue Book, 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.
2. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
7. "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
8. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
9. "Business and Industry". McMinnvlle Video TourBook. City of McMinnville. 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
10. "About our organization". About Us. Main Street McMinnville. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
11. "Warren Schools". Warren Schools. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
12. "Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville". Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
13. "McMinnville Tennessee local news media". Tennessee. Mondotimes. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
14. "Local Utilities". McMinnville-Warren County. Chamber of Commerce. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
15. "Main Street Live". Main Street McMinnville. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
16. "Autumn Street Fair". Autumn Street Fair. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
17. "Farmers Market". Warren County Farmers Market. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
18. "Learn the secrets • Experience the mysteries • See the beauty". Falcon Rest. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
19. "Falconhurst". Warren County. LandmarkHunter. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
20. "McMinnville". Tennessee. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
21. "Black House". Warren County. LandmarkHunter. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
22. "PHOTOS: McMinnville's Park Theater". Bragabond.net. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
23. "What is 32 miles long and can’t be seen from the air?". Geography. Tennessee Treasures. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
24. "Welcome to the McMinnville Parks & Recreation Department". Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
25. "Welcome". McMinnville-Warren County. Chamber of Commerce. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
26. "McMinnville City Triathlon". Events. Team Magic. 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
27. "US-Japan Sister Cities by State". Asia Matters for America. Honolulu, HI: East-West Center. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
28. Robert Parkinson (2009). "Charles Faulkner Bryan (1911-1955)". Entries. Tennessee Historical Society. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
29. "Warren County Historical Markers". USGen. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
30. "Carl T. Rowan Biography". Biography. YourDictionary. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
31. Jason Ankeny (2011). "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
32. Carrie Muskat (2011). "Tough times made Cubs 'pen coach stronger". News. MLB.com. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
33. Jamie Walker Stats (2011). "Jamie Walker Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 5 November 2011.

External links

• City of McMinnville
• Main Street McMinnville official website