Calhoun, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calhoun, Tennessee
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Location of Calhoun in McMinn County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | McMinn |
| Founded | 1820 |
| Incorporated | 1961 |
| Named for | John C. Calhoun |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.25 sq mi (3.23 km2) |
| • Land | 1.19 sq mi (3.08 km2) |
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.15 km2) |
| Elevation | 712 ft (217 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 536 |
| • Density | 451.56/sq mi (174.29/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37309
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| Area code(s) | 423 |
| FIPS code | 47-10440 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1279325 |
Calhoun is a small town in McMinn County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Athens Micropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020, about 536 people lived there.
Contents
History of Calhoun
The area where Calhoun is located was first settled by John Walker. He was part Cherokee and the grandson of Nancy Ward, a famous Cherokee leader. John Walker was very important in creating McMinn County.
Early Settlements and Treaties
Around 1808, John Walker started a ferry service. This ferry crossed the Hiwassee River. It connected the areas that are now Calhoun and Charleston. In 1819, Walker helped with an important agreement called the Calhoun Treaty. Through this treaty, the Cherokee people gave up land between the Hiwassee River and the Little Tennessee River to the U.S. government.
That same year, McMinn County was officially formed at John Walker's home in Calhoun. In 1820, Walker planned out the town of Calhoun. He named it after John C. Calhoun, who was the main U.S. negotiator for the treaty. Sadly, John Walker's son, John "Jack" Walker Jr., was later killed by some Cherokees who felt he had betrayed their nation.
Notable Residents and Local Life
Joseph McMinn, who was the governor of Tennessee from 1815 to 1821, lived his last few years in Calhoun. He is buried in the Shiloh Presbyterian Cemetery, which is in Calhoun.
In 1954, a large paper company called Bowater (now Resolute Forest Products) built a factory in Calhoun. This factory became one of the biggest newsprint mills in North America. The mill is a major part of Calhoun and makes a lot of paper each year.
Calhoun has one government building. It serves as the town's library, courthouse, police station, and fire station. Right across the street from this building is a baseball field. Little League games are often played there.
Calhoun also had its own high school, but it closed in 1980. The school had very successful baseball and basketball teams. Their rivals were the Charleston Panthers, whose high school also closed later in 2001.
Safety Improvements on Interstate 75
On December 11, 1990, a very thick fog caused a big accident. It involved 99 vehicles on Interstate 75 near Calhoun. Twelve people died and 42 were hurt. Because of this, special electronic speed limit signs were put up. These signs have fog sensors to help drivers stay safe in foggy conditions.
Geography of Calhoun
Calhoun is located on the north side of the Hiwassee River. This river starts in the Appalachian Mountains to the east. It then flows into the Chickamauga Lake, which is part of the Tennessee River, a few miles to the west. The Hiwassee River creates the border between McMinn County and Bradley County. The town of Charleston is just across the river to the south, in Bradley County.
Calhoun is found where two main roads meet. These are U.S. Route 11 and State Route 163. U.S. Route 11 connects Calhoun to Athens to the north and Cleveland to the south. State Route 163, also called Bowater Road, links Calhoun to U.S. Route 411 in Delano to the east and Interstate 75 (Exit 36) to the west.
The United States Census Bureau says that Calhoun covers about 1.1 square miles (2.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 232 | — | |
| 1880 | 203 | −12.5% | |
| 1890 | 222 | 9.4% | |
| 1970 | 624 | — | |
| 1980 | 590 | −5.4% | |
| 1990 | 552 | −6.4% | |
| 2000 | 496 | −10.1% | |
| 2010 | 490 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 536 | 9.4% | |
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2020 Census Details
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 476 | 88.81% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 12 | 2.24% |
| Other/Mixed | 34 | 6.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 14 | 2.61% |
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 536 people living in Calhoun. These people lived in 230 households, and 144 of these were families.
Education in Calhoun
McMinn County Schools runs the public schools in the area. One of these schools is Calhoun Elementary School. As mentioned earlier, Calhoun had its own high school, but it closed down in 1980.
See also
In Spanish: Calhoun (Tennessee) para niños
