Grand Junction, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grand Junction, Tennessee
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Location of Grand Junction in Fayette County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| Counties | Hardeman, Fayette |
| Founded | 1854 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Board of Aldermen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.19 sq mi (3.07 km2) |
| • Land | 1.19 sq mi (3.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 571 ft (174 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 338 |
| • Density | 284.75/sq mi (109.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38039
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| Area code(s) | 731, 901 |
| FIPS code | 47-30280 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1285817 |
Grand Junction is a small city located on the border of Hardeman and Fayette County, Tennessee in the United States. In 2020, the city had a population of 338 people.
Grand Junction is often called the "Bird Dog Capital of the World." This is because it is home to the National Bird Dog Museum, which celebrates these special hunting dogs.
Contents
A Look Back at Grand Junction's History
Grand Junction was founded in 1858. Its name comes from a special meeting point, or "grand junction," of two important railroads: the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and the Mississippi Central Railroad. Because of these railroads, the town quickly became a busy place. It had its own newspaper, hotels, and many other businesses.
During the American Civil War, the Union Army controlled the city for about three years. At this time, General U.S. Grant set up a "Contraband Camp" in Grand Junction. This camp provided shelter and education for thousands of formerly enslaved people.
In 1878, a serious yellow fever sickness hit the town. More than half of the 150 residents sadly died. The town officially became a city in 1901.
Grand Junction's Location and Climate
Grand Junction is located in the southwestern part of Hardeman County. A small part of the city also reaches into Fayette County. Several state roads, like Tennessee State Route 57 and Tennessee State Route 18, pass through or near the city. These roads connect Grand Junction to other towns in Tennessee and even to the state of Mississippi.
The city has a humid subtropical climate, which means it has four clear seasons.
Weather Patterns in Grand Junction
- Summers (late May to late September) are hot and humid. Temperatures often go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms can happen in the afternoons but usually don't last long.
- Early autumn is drier and mild. It can stay warm until late October.
- Late autumn brings more rain and colder weather. Trees show off their bright fall colors after the first frost, usually in November.
- Winters are generally mild, but cold spells can occur. Snowfall is not common but happens most winters.
- Spring often starts in late February or early March. This season is known for "severe weather," meaning there's a higher chance of tornadoes, hail, and strong thunderstorms. Historically, April has the most tornadoes. Grand Junction has more tornado activity than the average for Tennessee and the U.S.
Population of Grand Junction
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 311 | — | |
| 1870 | 460 | 47.9% | |
| 1880 | 467 | 1.5% | |
| 1900 | 393 | — | |
| 1910 | 491 | 24.9% | |
| 1920 | 497 | 1.2% | |
| 1930 | 524 | 5.4% | |
| 1940 | 560 | 6.9% | |
| 1950 | 477 | −14.8% | |
| 1960 | 446 | −6.5% | |
| 1970 | 427 | −4.3% | |
| 1980 | 360 | −15.7% | |
| 1990 | 365 | 1.4% | |
| 2000 | 301 | −17.5% | |
| 2010 | 325 | 8.0% | |
| 2020 | 338 | 4.0% | |
| Sources: | |||
2020 Census Information
The 2020 United States Census collected information about the people living in Grand Junction. This table shows the different racial and ethnic groups in the city.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 176 | 196 | 154 | 58.47% | 60.31% | 45.56% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 119 | 122 | 169 | 39.53% | 37.54% | 50.00% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0.33% | 0.31% | 1.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.30% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0.66% | 1.85% | 0.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1.00% | 0.00% | 1.78% |
| Total | 301 | 680 | 338 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Grand Junction's Economy and Culture
Grand Junction has a manufacturing facility for A. Schulman. The town also has many small local businesses. These include a clothing store, antique shops, banks, and general stores like Dollar General.
Arts and Local Attractions
The National Bird Dog Museum is a major attraction in Grand Junction. It shares its space with the Field Trial Hall of Fame and Wildlife Heritage Center. Because of these places and the area's history with hunting, Grand Junction is known as the "Bird Dog Capital of the World."
The Ames Plantation, which was once the home of Hobart Ames, is also nearby. This plantation hosts the National Field Trial Championships, an important event for bird dog enthusiasts.
Grand Junction has a local library that serves the community. It also has the Wilder Community Center, which is used for community events and as a senior center. The town is also home to one of Tennessee's oldest and most active Ruritan clubs, which focuses on community service.
Fun Annual Events
- A Christmas parade is held every year, along with a tree-lighting ceremony.
- An annual BBQ Cookoff contest takes place each April. Many people attend and compete for the "Golden Pig" award.
Historic Landmarks
Many of Grand Junction's original buildings are still standing and well-kept.
- Rogers and Sons Marble Works, built in 1879, is still there.
- The old railroad depot still exists.
- N.T. Richardson's General Merchandise Store is also still standing. It is stocked just as it was when it closed, after N.T. Richardson passed away at 104 years old.
Education in Grand Junction
Grand Junction has one elementary school, Grand Junction Elementary School. It also has a Head Start Program for young children. The local library has been recently renovated and offers meeting areas for different events.
Media and Infrastructure
Even though Grand Junction is in a rural area, residents can receive many local television and radio stations with basic outdoor antennas.
Main Roads
- State Route 57
- State Route 18
- State Route 368
City Services
Grand Junction provides many services to its residents:
- The Grand Junction Post Office handles mail.
- The Bolivar Electric Company provides electricity.
- Hardeman/Fayette Utility Dist. provides gas.
- The city manages waste disposal, sewage, and water.
- Comcast offers cable, internet, and phone services.
- AT&T provides landline phone, internet, and television services.
Famous People from Grand Junction
- Bobby Parks, a basketball player
- Thomas Hearns, a boxer
- Steve Hamer, an NBA basketball player
See also
In Spanish: Grand Junction (Tennessee) para niños
