Castalian Springs, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castalian Springs, Tennessee
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Post office, destroyed by a tornado, in Castalian Springs, Tennessee, 2008
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 Castalian Springs, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Sumner |
| Settled | 1780s |
| Named for | The Castalian Spring of ancient Greece |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.82 sq mi (15.07 km2) |
| • Land | 5.82 sq mi (15.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 495 ft (151 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 608 |
| • Density | 104.52/sq mi (40.35/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 615 and 629 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1305723 |
Castalian Springs is a small community in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's an area that the government counts for population statistics, even though it's not officially a city or town.
Contents
A Look Back: History of Castalian Springs
In the early 1800s, this area was called Bledsoe's Lick. It was home to Bledsoe's Station, which was a strong trading post. A trading post is like a small fort where people could trade goods safely. In 2010, about 556 people lived here. By 2020, the population grew to 608.
Ancient History: Native American Life
Long before European settlers arrived, the area was home to the Mississippian culture. These Native Americans built large earthwork mounds. The Castalian Springs Mound Site was a very important center for them. They lived here from about 950 AD until the 1300s.
These mounds were part of a huge network. This network stretched across the Mississippi Valley. It connected regions from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Archaeologists first explored the site in the 1890s. More recently, from 2005 to 2010, Dr. Kevin E. Smith led a professional dig. They found amazing things, including stone statues. They also found a special "Castalian Springs shell gorget." A gorget is a decorative necklace. This one is now kept at the National Museum of the American Indian.
The 2008 Tornado: A Story of Survival
On February 5–6, 2008, a powerful tornado hit Castalian Springs. This storm was part of a larger event called the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak. The tornado was very strong, at least an EF2. It sadly took seven lives in the small village.
The historic building Wynnewood was badly damaged. The local post office was completely destroyed. Castalian Springs made national news because of an amazing story. An 11-month-old boy named Kyson Stowell was found alive. He was in the rubble of his house.
A rescuer, David Harmon, first thought Kyson was a doll. But then he saw a tiny movement. Kyson had been blown about 150 yards from his home. His mother had bravely shielded him, but she did not survive the storm.
Where is Castalian Springs?
Castalian Springs is located along Tennessee State Route 25. It's about 7 miles (11 km) from Gallatin. The community has its own ZIP code, which is 37031.
Important Places to Visit
Castalian Springs has several interesting historic sites:
- Wynnwood State Historic Site: This is a historic inn. An inn is like an old hotel.
- Bledsoe's Fort Historical Park: This park protects the site of the 18th-century Bledsoe's Station. It also has other old buildings.
- Cragfont State Historic Site: This is a historic home. It was once the home of James Winchester, a famous general.
Famous People from Castalian Springs
Several notable people have connections to Castalian Springs:
- William B. Bate: He was a Governor of Tennessee. He also served as a U.S. Senator. During the American Civil War, he was a Confederate major general.
- Humphrey Bate: He was an early leader of a string band. His band played on the famous Grand Ole Opry show.
- Edward W. Carmack: He was a U.S. Senator for Tennessee. He was also an early editor for The Tennessean newspaper.
- William Hall: He briefly served as Governor of Tennessee in 1829.
- John W. Head: He was the Tennessee Attorney General. He also served as a state senator.
See also
In Spanish: Castalian Springs (Tennessee) para niños
