Loretto, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretto, Tennessee
|
|
|---|---|
Bank of Loretto building
|
|
Location of Loretto in Lawrence County, Tennessee.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Lawrence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.79 sq mi (9.81 km2) |
| • Land | 3.78 sq mi (9.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 825 ft (251 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,739 |
| • Density | 459.81/sq mi (177.51/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
38469
|
| Area code(s) | 931 |
| FIPS code | 47-43700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1292062 |
Loretto is a small city located in Lawrence County, Tennessee, in the United States. It's a friendly place with a population of about 1,739 people, according to the 2020 census.
Contents
Discovering Loretto's Past
How Loretto Began
Loretto started out in the early 1800s as a stop for stagecoaches, which were like old-fashioned buses pulled by horses. It was first known as "Glen Rock."
In 1870, many German Catholic immigrants moved to the Loretto area. They helped establish the new city. Some people think the name "Loretto" came from a region in Italy called Loreto. Others believe it was named after a respected nun.
The immigrants formed a church called the Sacred Heart Church of Jesus. This church still exists today! The beautiful church building, built in 1912, is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special building protected for its history.
When the railroad arrived in the 1880s, Loretto grew quickly. It became a busy town known for its lumber industry.
Old Buildings and Businesses
Loretto has several historic buildings. The Bank of Loretto building, constructed in the 1920s, is one example. It was updated in 2013. Nearby, there were old general stores like Weathers Store and Myers Store, where families bought everyday items for many years.
Down the street, you can find the Loretto Milling Company. It started in 1895 and is still open! This makes it one of the oldest family-run businesses in the city. In the past, the downtown area also had doctors' offices, shoe repair shops, cafes, hotels, and even a funeral home. It was a very active place.
The downtown area became less busy after a new highway, U.S. Route 43, was built in the 1940s. Many businesses moved closer to the new road. Like many historic towns, Loretto is now working to bring new life back to its old downtown.
Loretto is also proud to be the home of the Loretto High School Mustangs sports teams!
Exploring Loretto's Location
Loretto is located at coordinates 35°4′42″N 87°26′20″W / 35.07833°N 87.43889°W. The city sits on a wide ridge, with the Shoal Creek Valley to its west and Bluewater Creek to its east.
U.S. Route 43 is a main road that connects Loretto to Lawrenceburg (to the northeast) and the Muscle Shoals area in Alabama (to the southwest). Another road, Tennessee State Route 227, links Loretto to other parts of rural Lawrence County and Lexington, Alabama.
The city covers a total area of about 3.8 square miles (9.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water.
Who Lives in Loretto?
Loretto has seen its population grow over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived there:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 706 | — | |
| 1960 | 929 | 31.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,375 | 48.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,612 | 17.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,515 | −6.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,665 | 9.9% | |
| 2010 | 1,714 | 2.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,739 | 1.5% | |
| Sources: | |||
Loretto's Diverse Community
The 2020 United States census counted 1,739 people living in Loretto. There were 703 households and 455 families.
Most people in Loretto are White (non-Hispanic), making up about 94.65% of the population. There are also smaller numbers of people from other racial backgrounds, including Black or African American, Native American, and Asian individuals. About 2.76% of residents identify as having two or more races. Additionally, about 1.9% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino background.
Famous People from Loretto
Some talented individuals have come from Loretto, including:
- Grace & Tony – Country music artists
- Robert Hitchcock Spain – A Methodist bishop (a type of church leader)
- David Weathers – A professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball
- Ryan Weathers – Another professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball
- John Paul White – A musician, known for being part of the The Civil Wars duo
Images for kids
-
Bank of Loretto building
-
Location of Loretto in Lawrence County, Tennessee.
See also
In Spanish: Loretto (Tennessee) para niños
