McDonald, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McDonald, Tennessee
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The McDonald, Tennessee, post office
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 McDonald, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
McDonald, Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Bradley County, Tennessee |
| Elevation | 853 ft (260 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 586 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37353
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| Area code(s) | 423 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1293249 |
McDonald is a small community in Bradley County, Tennessee, in the United States. It's known as a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's an area the government counts for population, but it doesn't have its own city government.
McDonald is located about 6.8 miles (11 km) west of Cleveland, Tennessee. You can find it along two main roads: U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 64. The community has its own post office with the ZIP code 37353. In 2020, about 586 people lived in McDonald.
Exploring McDonald's Past
The community of McDonald began around the year 1850. No one is completely sure how it got its name. It might have been named after a Scottish trader, someone who helped build the railroad, or even the mother of a local resident.
In 1887, a history book called Goodspeed's History of Tennessee described McDonald as a "small village." This village was located along the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad. McDonald was also famous for its many mineral springs. From the 1880s to the 1930s, people loved to visit the popular resorts in the area.
Horse Events and Polo Fun
McDonald is home to the Tri-State Exhibition Center. This is a large arena where many different events take place. It's especially popular for exciting horse shows. The center first opened in 2001. It became much bigger in 2003, which was a great boost for the local economy.
The Johnston family, who are connected to Coca-Cola Enterprises, own a huge farm in McDonald called Bendabout Farm. They have owned this 4,000-acre farm since the 1830s. The farm has a special polo ground that is kept in great condition all year round.
This farm is also home to the Bendabout Polo Club. It used to be called the Chattanooga Polo Club. Summerfield Johnston, Jr. started the club in the 1950s. The club holds a special polo match at Bendabout Farm once every year.
A Former School in McDonald
Bachman Academy was a school located in McDonald. This school was special because it helped children with learning disabilities. It first opened its doors in 1912. For many years, until 1989, it also served as a home for children who were orphans. The school eventually closed down in 2017.
