Bell Buckle, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bell Buckle, Tennessee
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Downtown Bell Buckle
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Location of Bell Buckle in Bedford County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Bedford |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2) |
| • Land | 0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 856 ft (261 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 410 |
| • Density | 803.92/sq mi (310.61/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
37020
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| Area code(s) | 931 |
| FIPS code | 47-04460 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1276910 |
Bell Buckle is a small, charming town in Bedford County, Tennessee, United States. It's known for its beautiful old Victorian buildings and a friendly, welcoming feel. In 2020, about 410 people lived there. The heart of Bell Buckle, its downtown area, is so special that it's listed as a historic place!
Contents
History of Bell Buckle
What's in a Name?
The name "Bell Buckle" sounds a bit unusual, right? No one is completely sure how the town got its name. One popular story says that early travelers found a tree with carvings of a cowbell and a buckle. These carvings might have been made by Native Americans to warn settlers, or by surveyors to mark good pasture land. Either way, a nearby creek was named Bell Buckle Creek, and the town later took its name from the creek.
Early Days and Growth
People started settling in the Bell Buckle area in the early 1800s. The town really began to grow and become busy after the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad arrived in 1852. A train station was built in 1853, and the town officially became a town in 1856. Bell Buckle was most successful after 1870. It became a major place for livestock between Nashville and Chattanooga, and its population grew to over 1,000 people.
Name Spelling Change
For a while, the town's name was spelled "Belle Buckle." This was how the post office spelled it, and it appeared on old train maps. We don't know exactly when the spelling changed to "Bell Buckle," but it happened sometime before 1935.
A Tank in Town!
In June 1940, the U.S. Army was doing training exercises in the area. During these exercises, a tank belonging to General George S. Patton's Second Armored Division accidentally crashed into the town hall! This caused the two-story building to fall down.
Geography of Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle is located in the northeastern part of Bedford County. Two main roads, Tennessee State Route 82 and Tennessee State Route 269, meet in the center of town. Bell Buckle covers an area of about 1.5 square kilometers (0.51 square miles), and it's all land.
Population and People
How Bell Buckle's Population Changed
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 298 | — | |
| 1890 | 715 | 139.9% | |
| 1900 | 665 | −7.0% | |
| 1910 | 466 | −29.9% | |
| 1920 | 471 | 1.1% | |
| 1930 | 378 | −19.7% | |
| 1940 | 355 | −6.1% | |
| 1950 | 341 | −3.9% | |
| 1960 | 318 | −6.7% | |
| 1970 | 393 | 23.6% | |
| 1980 | 450 | 14.5% | |
| 1990 | 326 | −27.6% | |
| 2000 | 391 | 19.9% | |
| 2010 | 500 | 27.9% | |
| 2020 | 410 | −18.0% | |
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The number of people living in Bell Buckle has changed over the years. For example, in 1890, there were 715 residents, but by 1960, the population had dropped to 318. In 2010, the population grew to 500 people, which was a big jump! However, by 2020, it had gone down slightly to 410 residents.
Who Lives in Bell Buckle?
According to the 2010 census, 62.8% of the people in Bell Buckle were 18 years old or older, and 37.2% were under 18. Most residents were White (84.8%), with smaller groups of Asian (8.2%), Hispanic (3.2%), and African American (2.8%) people. About 1% of the population identified as being from two or more races.
Things to See and Do in Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle is famous for its many well-kept and restored Victorian homes, shops, and churches. These beautiful old buildings are found all around the downtown area. The town is a great place to find antiques, handmade quilts, and other unique crafts.
Fun Festivals
Bell Buckle hosts two exciting festivals every year:
- The RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival: This fun event celebrates the classic snack combination of RC Cola and MoonPies!
- The Webb School Arts & Crafts Fair: This fair showcases amazing art and crafts from many talented people.
A Special Town
Bell Buckle is part of Tennessee Backroads, which highlights special places in the state. It's also the smallest town in Tennessee to be named a Tree City USA, meaning it cares a lot about its trees and green spaces. Bell Buckle is also home to The Webb School, a well-known college preparatory school that moved to Bell Buckle in 1886. The school is a very important part of the town's unique atmosphere.
Notable Residents
Bell Buckle has been home to some interesting people!
- Molly Bee: A country music singer. On a TV show called Hee Haw in 1975, Molly Bee gave a shout-out to her hometown of Bell Buckle.
- Keon Johnson: A talented basketball player. Keon was born nearby and played basketball for The Webb School in Bell Buckle. He later played for the University of Tennessee Volunteers before being drafted by the New York Knicks in the 2021 NBA draft. He then played for the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell: He designs and directs very challenging endurance races, like the Barkley Marathons and Big's Backyard Ultra.
- Holly Finley: A professional disc golfer and model. She is from Bell Buckle.
See also
In Spanish: Bell Buckle para niños
