Greenback, Tennessee Facts for Kids

Near where Greenback is today, there was an important river crossing called Morganton Ferry. It started in the late 1700s. By 1810, it grew into a small town called "Portville." In 1813, it was named "Morganton" after a local merchant.

Around this time, a road was built connecting Fort Southwest Point (now Kingston) and Maryville. This road crossed the river at Morganton Ferry. So, it became known as Morganton Road.

Underground Railroad Connection

Before the American Civil War, a cave in the Greenback area may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. The William H. Griffitts House, near Greenback, was also a stop. This shows the area's connection to people who wanted to end slavery.

In 1859, a businessman named Jesse Kerr opened a hotel and health resort. It was at Sulphur Springs, known for its mineral water. This resort was later bought by Nathan McCoy in 1885. He built a new, large hotel and renamed it "Allegheny Springs."

How Greenback Got Its Name

In 1876, Lorenzo Thompson opened a general store. He wanted to start a post office there in 1882. He tried to name it "Thompson's Station," but that name was already taken. After other names were turned down, Thompson chose "Greenback." This name came from a local politician named Jonathan Tipton, who belonged to the Greenback Party.

View along Morganton Road in Greenback in the 1910s. The Greenback Depot is partly visible on the right.

In the late 1880s, a railroad was being built from Knoxville to Blue Ridge, Georgia. People bought land where the railroad crossed Morganton Road. They planned to build a town there. It was first called "Allegheny," after the resort. A train station was built in 1891.

Thompson moved his "Greenback" post office to the new town. Soon, people liked the name "Greenback" more than "Allegheny." The railroad changed the station's name to "Greenback" in 1897.

Growth and Community Spirit

By the late 1890s, Greenback had several stores, a barbershop, and a school. It also had two baseball teams. The railroad line was bought by bigger companies over time. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) built the Greenback Depot in 1914. This old depot is still in Greenback today. It has been updated and is now used for community events.

Greenback Mills, photographed in 1942.

The Greenback Drug Company opened in 1923. It is still there and has been a popular restaurant for many years. Locals still call it "the drugstore" and gather there to eat and visit.

Many buildings were built in Greenback before the Great Depression. But more than half of them were destroyed by fires during that time. Even though growth slowed, Greenback officially became a city in 1957. Glenn McTeer was its first mayor.

In 1978, the town's residents built a community center. They did it all themselves, without outside help or money. This center now has a library, the city hall, and places for fun activities.

Community Voice and Modern Times

In 1964, a big meeting happened at Greenback High School. It was about the proposed Tellico Dam project. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) wanted local support. But many people at the meeting strongly opposed the dam. They were worried about losing historical sites.

In 2011, H&R Block, a tax company, featured Greenback in its ads. The campaign was called "Greenbacks for Greenback." They helped many citizens save money on their taxes. This was celebrated at Greenback School. The ads showed famous places like the Greenback Depot and the Greenback Drugstore Diner.

Geography of Greenback

Greenback is located where Tennessee State Route 95 and Morganton Road meet. The area stretches to U.S. Route 411 in the south and U.S. Route 321 in the north. A small shopping area is found where Highway 411 and Highway 95 cross.

The land around Greenback is mostly flat. It is part of a valley formed by Baker Creek, which flows into the Little Tennessee River. You can see Chilhowee Mountain and the Great Smoky Mountains to the south.

The United States Census Bureau says Greenback covers about 7.2 square miles (18.6 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.

Population Information

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1960	285	—
1970	318	11.6%
1980	546	71.7%
1990	611	11.9%
2000	954	56.1%
2010	1,064	11.5%
2020	1,102	3.6%
Sources:

Greenback's Population in 2020

Greenback racial composition
Group	Number	Percentage
White (not Hispanic)	1,026	93.1%
Black or African American (not Hispanic)	5	0.45%
Native American	6	0.54%
Asian	2	0.18%
Other/Mixed	41	3.72%
Hispanic or Latino	22	2.0%

In 2020, Greenback had 1,102 people living in 392 households. There were 277 families.

Greenback's Population in 2010

In 2010, the city had 1,064 people. There were 396 households and 298 families.

Greenback, Tennessee facts for kids

Contents

History of Greenback

Early Days