Bear Spring, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bear Spring
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 Bear Spring, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Bear Spring, Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Stewart |
| Elevation | 404 ft (123 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 931 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1305021 |
Bear Spring is a small place in Stewart County, Tennessee, in the United States. It is called an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city. It doesn't have its own local government. Instead, it's governed by the county.
History of Bear Spring
The Bear Spring Iron Furnace
In 1830, a special building called the Bear Spring Iron Furnace was built here. This furnace was the first of its kind in the area. It used charcoal to make iron.
By 1850, the furnace was working very hard. It could make over 2,000 tons of metal each year! This was a huge amount for that time.
The furnace stopped working in 1854. Later, during the American Civil War, soldiers destroyed it in 1864. But it was rebuilt in 1873. The furnace has been in its current spot ever since.
How Bear Spring Got Its Name
A post office opened in Bear Spring in 1893. It helped people send and receive mail until 1948.
Local stories tell us how the community got its unique name. A pioneer, which is an early settler, was exploring the area. They shot a bear near a spring, a natural water source. Because of this event, the place became known as Bear Spring.
