Adamsville, Tennessee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adamsville, Tennessee
City
Buford Pusser home
Nickname(s):  A-Ville, The Ville
Motto(s):  The Biggest Little Town in Tennessee
Location of Adamsville in McNairy County, Tennessee.
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
Counties	McNairy, Hardin
Incorporated	1870
Area
• Total	7.09 sq mi (18.35 km2)
• Land	7.04 sq mi (18.23 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2)
Elevation	515 ft (157 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,265
• Density	321.78/sq mi (124.25/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	38310
Area code(s)	731
FIPS code	47-00240
GNIS feature ID	1269295

Adamsville is a city located in Hardin and McNairy counties, Tennessee, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,265 people lived there. The city gets its name from George D. Adams, who ran an inn and stagecoach stop in the 1840s. Adamsville is often called the "Biggest Little Town in Tennessee." It was also the home of the famous Sheriff Buford Pusser.

History of Adamsville

The area around Adamsville was first explored by Davy Crockett. Around 1818, George C. Adams and his family were the first European settlers to live here. They opened a trading post north of where the Adamsville Cemetery is today. This trading post served both local Native communities and the new settlers. In 1838, a group of people on the Trail of Tears passed through Adamsville.

Settlers from North Carolina and Maury County, Tennessee moved to the area. The settlement grew with a focus on farming. During the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, Union Army soldiers camped in Adamsville. Before that battle, a small fight called the Skirmish at Adamsville happened, which the Confederate side won.

Adamsville officially became a town in 1870. It grew slowly until roads were improved in the early 1900s. Farming was the main way people made a living until textile factories, like Myrna Mills, opened. After that, more factories came to the area.

Severe Weather in Adamsville

Adamsville has experienced some powerful storms. In 1991, a strong F3 tornado hit the town, damaging many homes. This tornado also moved through the nearby city of Selmer.

On October 26, 2019, Post Tropical Storm Olga caused significant damage in Adamsville. The town was in the storm's strongest part, and sadly, one person died.

On March 31, 2023, a large and destructive EF3 tornado struck the edge of town. It caused major damage to trees and many homes. Nine people died, and 23 were injured.

Geography of Adamsville

Adamsville is located at 35°15′0″N 88°23′25″W / 35.25000°N 88.39028°W / 35.25000; -88.39028.

The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 6.9 square miles (18.0 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 6.9 square miles (17.9 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.1 square mile (0.1 square kilometers), is water.

Most of Adamsville is in McNairy County. Only a small section of the town is in Hardin County.

Population of Adamsville

2020 Census Information

The 2020 United States census counted 2,265 people living in Adamsville. There were 836 households and 519 families.

Economy in Adamsville

Adamsville has an 85-acre industrial park, which is an area set aside for factories and businesses. The Tennessee Technology Center is also located nearby. Several companies have major operations in Adamsville. Ripley Industries, which makes parts for cars and other machines, has its main office here. Other companies include Jones Exhaust Systems, engineering experts Aqua Dynamics Group, Langley Wire Cloth Products, and Better Source Supply Company.

Local businesses and property owners have formed the Adamsville Partnership. This group works to help the community grow and thrive.

Arts and Culture in Adamsville

A slugburger with onion rings.

If you visit Adamsville, you might try a "slugburger" at a local restaurant. This is a special hamburger patty made from beef and soy grits, which is then deep-fried. It's served on a bun with different toppings. Another local favorite dish you might find is baked cabbage.

Annual Events

Adamsville hosts many fun events each year.

• Every Memorial Day weekend, the four-day Buford Pusser Festival takes place at the Buford Pusser Memorial Park.
• The Miss Walking Tall Pageant, a local competition for Miss Tennessee, is held at The Marty Community Center.
• Other cultural events include the HeeHaw Show, Founders Day, and a 5K Run in the spring.

Points of Interest

• The Buford Pusser Home and Museum is located in Adamsville. It was the home of the famous county sheriff, Buford Pusser. He is also buried in the Adamsville Cemetery.
• Gibb's Gas & Oil Collectibles is a museum you can visit by appointment. It displays old gas pumps, gas and oil signs, oil cans, and other items from old service stations.
• Adamsville's public library is called the Irving Meek Jr. Memorial Library.
• The local War Memorial Park is on Highway 64 and Old Stage. It honors veterans and those from Adamsville who died in World War I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
• The Old Home Motel was built in 1960. Buford Pusser lived there for a while, and even Elvis Presley stayed a night at the motel.

Parks and Recreation in Adamsville

The Adamsville Recreation & Parks Department was started in 1998. It offers many sports for young people and adults. These include flag and American football leagues, a cheerleading team, basketball, soccer, softball, and baseball. Each year, the department organizes a 5K run during the Buford Pusser Memorial Festival.

The city park, also named after Buford Pusser, was once a sandlot and horse barn. It was started by Pusser and the Adamsville Jaycees in 1973. The park grew thanks to fundraisers, including one with musicians George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Today, the city park has a lighted basketball court, tennis courts, a playground, three ball fields, an open-air pavilion, grills, picnic tables, and a walking track.

Shiloh Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course. It's on historical land; parts of the course are along the road where General Lew Wallace marched his soldiers to the Battle of Shiloh in 1862.

The department also runs a senior center. This center helps older adults, including providing Meals on Wheels. The Marty Community Center is also managed by the department for public use. It hosts live entertainment, like the monthly Adamsville Bluegrass Jamboree.

Schools in Adamsville

Adamsville has two public schools: Adamsville Elementary School and Adamsville High School.

• Adamsville Elementary School is for students from Pre-Kindergarten (ages 4 & 5) up to 8th grade. It is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Adamsville High School teaches students from 9th to 12th grade. It has been recognized as one of U.S. News & World Report's best high schools in America.

The Adamsville High School marching band is very successful. They have won 1st place at the TN Division 1 State Marching Band Championship nine times since 1999. They have not placed lower than 2nd since 2004. In 2016, the band moved up to Division 2 status. They won their first Division 2 championship in 2017 and won again in 2018 and 2019, making them 12-time state champions! The school mascot is the cardinal.

Famous People from Adamsville

• Buford Pusser, a well-known McNairy County sheriff.
• Ray Blanton, who was the 44th Governor of Tennessee.
• Ashley Durham Booth, who was Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2006, Miss Tennessee USA 2011, and a runner-up for Miss USA 2011.
• Dewey Phillips, a rock n' roll disc jockey. He was the first DJ to play a record by Elvis Presley on the radio.

See also

In Spanish: Adamsville (Tennessee) para niños