Cross Plains, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cross Plains, Tennessee
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Thomas Drugs in Cross Plains
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Location of Cross Plains in Robertson County, Tennessee.
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 Cross Plains, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Cross Plains, Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Robertson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.69 sq mi (22.51 km2) |
| • Land | 8.69 sq mi (22.51 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 745 ft (227 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,789 |
| • Density | 205.89/sq mi (79.49/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
37049
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| Area code(s) | 615 |
| FIPS code | 47-18420 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1306195 |
Cross Plains is a city located in Robertson County, Tennessee. In 2020, about 1,789 people lived there. Cross Plains was the very first area in Robertson County where European settlers made their homes. The first settler, Thomas Kilgore, arrived in 1778.
Contents
History of Cross Plains
Early Settlers and Kilgore Station
In 1778, Thomas Kilgore, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, came to the Middle Fork of the Red River. This spot was less than a mile west of where Cross Plains is today. He was the first European settler to arrive in Robertson County. Kilgore came to claim 640 acres of land. This land was promised to settlers who moved west by the Legislature of North Carolina.
Kilgore went back to eastern North Carolina in the fall of 1778. After his land claim was confirmed, he returned to his new home. He brought a few other families with him. Together, they built a strong fence around their homes, which became known as Kilgore Station. The first actual building was a double log house built by William Randolph in 1819. This building was also used as a tavern, a place where travelers could eat and stay.
Growth and Development
In 1873, a private university called Neophogen College was started by J.M. Walton. It taught students until 1877. A well-known store, Thomas Drugs, opened in 1915. It is one of the oldest businesses still operating in Cross Plains today.
Modern Developments and Parks
Construction on "Kilgore Park" began in 2004. This park is located next to East Robertson High School. The park was finished in 2008, giving the community a great place to play and relax. In 2020, the city government of Cross Plains bought 148 acres of land. This land is on Highway 25, west of Kilgore Park. City leaders said they bought the land for future uses. This could include making Kilgore Park even bigger or building new schools.
Education
Cross Plains has public schools that serve students from pre-kindergarten through high school.
Public Schools in Cross Plains
- East Robertson High School (Grades 6-12)
- East Robertson Elementary School (Pre-K–Grade 5)
Geography and Transportation
City Area
Cross Plains covers an area of about 8.3 square miles (22.51 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Major Roads and Highways
Several important roads run through or near Cross Plains, connecting it to other towns and cities.
Interstate 65: This is a big highway that runs north and south. It connects cities like Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville.
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U.S. Route 31W / Tennessee State Route 41: These roads run parallel to Interstate 65. They offer another way for local drivers to get to nearby towns like White House and Portland.
Tennessee State Route 25: This is a main road that goes east and west. It connects Cross Plains to Springfield and Gallatin.
Interstate 65 meets State Route 25 at exit 112.
History of Transportation
In the late 1800s, two main stagecoach routes passed through Cross Plains. One was the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike. The other was the Hopkinsville and Gallatin Road, which went through downtown.
The first state road in the Cross Plains area was State Route 79 in the 1920s. It followed the old Louisville and Nashville Turnpike. In 1926, U.S. Route 31W replaced State Route 79. By 1939, State Route 25 was extended to Cross Plains. It took the place of the Hopkinsville and Gallatin Road.
Around 1953, the path of US 31W was changed to be straighter. This new path bypassed an old stone bridge that had been used since at least 1841. Parts of the old road are still used today and are called "Old Highway 31W."
Building Interstate 65 near Cross Plains started around 1970. By December 1972, the part of I-65 south of Cross Plains was finished. Starting in 2021, parts of Interstate 65 began to be made wider. This helps to reduce traffic jams.
Population Information
As of the 2020 United States census, Cross Plains had 1,789 people living in the city. There were 689 households and 513 families. Most of the people living in Cross Plains are White (non-Hispanic), making up about 85.86% of the population. Other groups include Black or African American, Native American, Asian, and people of mixed races. About 3.86% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
See also
In Spanish: Cross Plains (Tennessee) para niños
