Finger, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Finger, Tennessee
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SR 199 in Finger
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Location of Finger in McNairy County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| Counties | Chester, McNairy |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.57 sq mi (4.07 km2) |
| • Land | 1.57 sq mi (4.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 443 ft (135 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 276 |
| • Density | 175.80/sq mi (67.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38334
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| Area code(s) | 731 |
| FIPS code | 47-26160 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1284266 |
Finger is a small town in Tennessee, USA. It is located in both McNairy and Chester counties. In 2020, about 276 people lived there.
Contents
History of Finger, Tennessee
The area around Finger was first settled in the early 1820s. It was originally called McIntyre's Crossing. This name came from Robert Thompson McIntyre, who was an important early leader and businessman. The town wasn't called Finger until 1895.
How Finger Got Its Name
Before 1895, the area grew with new schools and businesses. By 1895, the town needed a post office. Federal postal rules meant they needed a new name. The town was almost named Cash.
However, that idea was dropped. According to a historian named Horry Hodges, a local minister, J.J. Franklin, was at a meeting to name the town. People were arguing and pointing fingers at each other. Franklin jokingly suggested the name Finger because of all the finger-pointing!
Some people think the town was named after an early resident, Andrew Jackson Finger. But this is less likely because he wasn't very well-known and didn't live there for long. Horry Hodges' story is believed more because he lived in Finger at the time and was involved in local events.
Growth and Development
From 1895 until the Great Depression (around 1929-1930), Finger continued to grow. At its busiest, the town had many businesses. These included at least eight stores, two doctors, a funeral home, a hotel, and two banks. It also had a post office, schools, and a cotton gin.
The town's location on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad helped it grow. The railroad made it easy to transport goods and people.
Finger Barbecue and Famous Diner
Finger is known for its annual Finger Barbecue. This event has been held almost every year since 1895. It is one of the oldest and longest-running events of its kind in Tennessee.
The Finger Diner was also very special. It was the original inspiration for the famous Hard Rock Cafe chain!
The history of Finger and the surrounding area is written in a large book. It's called Let's Call It Finger: A History of North McNairy County & Finger, Tennessee & Its Surrounding Communities. A person whose family were early settlers wrote the book.
Geography of Finger
Finger is located along State Route 199. This road meets U.S. Route 45 in Finger. If you go north on US 45, you'll reach Henderson. If you go south, you'll find Selmer. The town covers about 1.5 square miles (4.07 square kilometers) of land.
Population Changes
The population of Finger has changed over the years:
- 1980: 245 people
- 1990: 279 people
- 2000: 350 people
- 2010: 298 people
- 2020: 276 people
Local News
Finger is served by two local newspapers. These are the Independent Appeal and the McNairy County News. Both newspapers cover news for all of McNairy County.
Notable People from Finger
Some well-known people were born in Finger:
- Jim Clayton and his brother, Joe Clayton, were born here. They started Clayton Homes, which became the biggest maker and seller of manufactured homes in the United States. It's now part of Berkshire Hathaway.
- Buford Pusser was the Sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, from 1964 to 1970. He was also born in Finger. Several movies and a TV show were made about his life.
See also
In Spanish: Finger (Tennessee) para niños
