Halls Crossroads, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Halls Crossroads
Halls
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"Halls has it"
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 Halls Crossroads
Location in Tennessee
Halls Crossroads
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Knox |
| Settled | 1796 |
| Founded by | Thomas Hall |
| Named for | Thomas Hall |
| Elevation | 1,030 ft (310 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 10,341 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
37918, 37938
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| Area code(s) | 865 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2804634 |
Halls Crossroads, often called Halls by locals, is a community in northern Knox County, Tennessee. It's like a neighborhood or small town, but it's not officially a city. It's a northern suburb of Knoxville, meaning it's close to the bigger city. The community got its name from the Thomas Hall family, who settled here in the late 1700s. In 2020, about 10,341 people lived in Halls Crossroads.
Contents
History of Halls Crossroads
Early Settlers and Roads
In 1785, the government of North Carolina decided to build a road. This road would go all the way to Nashville. It had to be at least ten feet wide so wagons could use it. Today, part of this old road is known as Emory Road. It runs through the Halls Crossroads area.
One of the first people to settle here was Thomas Hall. He arrived around 1796 from North Carolina. Thomas Hall had fought for freedom in the American Revolutionary War. He was even captured by the British during the Siege of Charleston. After the war, the U.S. government gave him land for his service. He settled on this land, which was on the northern side of Black Oak Ridge.
The Hall Family Business
Many years later, Thomas Hall's grandson, Pulaski Hall, traveled west. He went during the California Gold Rush and lived on a ranch in Oregon. He later returned to Halls and married Joyce Hall in 1859.
Pulaski and his family started one of the first businesses in the area around 1860. This business included a general store, an inn, and a blacksmith shop. The store was called Halls Crossroads. This was because it was located where Emory Road and Maynardville Pike crossed. This gave the community its name. The state of Tennessee officially recognized the name Halls Crossroads. This was to avoid confusion with another town called Halls in Lauderdale County.
Halls High School
Halls High School was one of the first schools in the area. It was founded in 1916. The school was named after Pulaski Hall, an important early resident.
Modern Development
Today, Halls Crossroads has grown into a suburban community. There are many homes and businesses. People who live here often don't want the community to become part of the city of Knoxville. In the early 2010s, there were plans to improve the area. These plans included building a new town center with shops and homes. They also wanted to create an urban farm and a system of greenways. Greenways are paths for walking and biking.
Geography and Nature
Halls Crossroads is located in a region called the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. This area has long, narrow hills that run from northeast to southwest. The community sits between some of these hills. Black Oak Ridge and Beaver Ridge are two important ones. They separate Halls Crossroads from Fountain City to the south.
Other nearby communities include Powell to the west and Corryton to the east. The city of Maynardville is to the north. Halls Crossroads gets its water from the Beaver Creek Watershed. Beaver Creek flows right through the middle of Halls. It runs for 25 miles until it reaches the Clinch River. The community is about 1,040 feet above sea level.
Education for Students
Knox County Schools runs six public schools in the Halls community. These include Halls Elementary School, Adrian Burnett Elementary School, and Brickey-McCloud Elementary School. There is also Halls High School and Halls Middle School.
Several private schools are also nearby. These include Garden Montessori School, Temple Baptist Academy, Natures Way Montessori School, and St. Joseph School.
Local Economy
Halls Crossroads is home to the famous Halls Stockyards. This is a place where cattle are bought and sold at an auction. The community also has many different stores and restaurants for people to enjoy.
Community Services
Halls Crossroads has important services for its residents. The Hallsdale-Powell Utility District provides wastewater services. The Knoxville Utilities Board provides municipal water and electricity.
Fun and Recreation
There are several places for fun and recreation in Halls Crossroads.
Outdoor Activities
- Golf Courses: You can find golf courses like Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club, Three Ridges Golf Course, and Beverly Park Junior Golf Course.
- Halls Community Park: This park has many ball fields, a playground, and a community center.
- Halls Greenway: This is a path for hiking and biking. It runs along Beaver Creek and connects to the Halls Library.
Community Centers
- Halls Senior Center: This center offers many things for older adults. It has a computer center, a billiards room, and places for arts and crafts. There is also a community kitchen.
- John Sevier Hunter Education Center (JSHEC): This center is managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It offers classes on hunter education. It also has ranges for firearms and archery for the public to use.
Local Churches
Halls Crossroads has many large churches. One of the most notable is Beaver Dam Baptist Church. It is the oldest church in Knox County and one of the oldest in the state of Tennessee.
Notable People from Halls
Many interesting people have come from Halls Crossroads:
- Michael L. Campbell: He founded and was the chairman of Regal Entertainment Group, a large movie theater company.
- Pete DeBusk: He founded and was the chairman of DeRoyal Industries, a company that makes medical products.
- Chad Pennington: A professional NFL quarterback in American football.
- Trevor Bayne: An American NASCAR racer.
Local Media
- Shopper-News: A local newspaper.
- WMYL 96.7 FM: A local radio station.
