Gardner, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gardner, Tennessee
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 Gardner, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Gardner, Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Weakley |
| Elevation | 364 ft (111 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 731 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1285157 |
Gardner is a small community in Weakley County, Tennessee, United States. It used to be a town but is now called an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government like a city or town. It is also known by names like Gardner Station or Gardnersville.
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A Look Back at Gardner's History
Gardner was started in 1856. It was named after Colonel John Almus Gardner. He was the first leader of a railroad company called the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. This railroad later became part of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. Colonel Gardner owned the land where the town was built.
Growth and Important People
After the American Civil War, Gardner became a busy place. It was the main business center for the western part of Weakley County. This was because it was the only important town between Dresden and Union City.
In 1869, Gardner officially became a town, known as an incorporated municipality. Its first mayor was a lawyer named William Parker Caldwell. Caldwell later became a U.S. Congressman. He worked in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1875 to 1879.
The Railroad's Impact
There were plans for a new railroad, the Mississippi Railroad, to go through Gardner. However, in 1873, the plan changed. The railroad route was moved from Gardner to Martin.
After 1873, Gardner began to decline. Many local businesses moved to Martin because of the new railroad.
Historic Landmark
William Parker Caldwell's old home in Gardner is still standing today. It is called the William Parker Caldwell House. This house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
