Morristown, Tennessee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Morristown
City
Main Street in the downtown district of Morristown.
Flag Logo
Nickname(s):  Mo'Town, Tennessee’s Disc Golf Capital
Motto(s):  "A City Always Expanding"
Location in Hamblen County and the state of Tennessee
Morristown Location in Tennessee Show map of Tennessee Morristown Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
Counties	Hamblen, Jefferson
Settled	ca. 1787
Incorporated	1855
Founded by	Gideon Morris
Named for	Gideon Morris
Government
• Type	Council-manager
Area
• City	27.72 sq mi (71.79 km2)
• Land	27.67 sq mi (71.67 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation	1,350 ft (397 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	30,431
• Density	1,099.66/sq mi (424.58/km2)
• Urban	65,631
• Metro	142,749
Demonym(s)	Morristownian
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	37813-37816
Area code(s)	423
FIPS code	47-50280
GNIS feature ID	2404307
Primary Airport	Morristown Regional Airport
Interstate

Morristown is a city in Hamblen County, Tennessee, United States. It's also the county seat. A small part of Morristown reaches into Jefferson County. The city is located in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians area, near Cherokee Lake on the Holston River. In 2020, about 30,431 people lived here.

Morristown is the main city of the Morristown metropolitan area. This area includes Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson counties. It's also part of the larger Knoxville-Morristown-Sevierville area.

The city was founded in 1855. It grew quickly because it was at a key meeting point of two major stagecoach routes. During the American Civil War, Morristown saw battles and changed hands between Union and Confederate forces. After the war, the city became an important center for trade and transport.

Since the mid-1900s, Morristown has become a major economic hub. It has over 100 companies and provides jobs for about 30,000 people.

History

Early Years and How Morristown Started

Before European settlers arrived, the Morristown area was home to Native American tribes, mostly the Cherokee. The area had two important paths. One went east-west and became the Great Stage Road. The other went north-south and was called Buffalo Trail. This trail was named because buffalo herds supposedly used it.

Gideon Morris, a farmer, founded Morristown. He came with his brothers from the Watauga Settlement around 1787. Morris had fought in the American Revolutionary War. He received land grants for his service.

Morris and his brothers asked for the Watauga Settlement to join North Carolina. When this happened, the settlement was named Morristown. Land in what is now Hamblen and Jefferson counties was given to the Morris family. Their first home was built on what is now South Cumberland Street.

From 1792 to 1793, the main street became part of a major stagecoach route. This route connected Morristown to Knoxville and Abingdon, Virginia. This helped more settlers move to the area. One famous settler was John Crockett, who arrived in 1794 with his seven-year-old son, Davy Crockett.

John Crockett built a log cabin that became a tavern. It also served as a hospital during the Civil War. After the war, the tavern was destroyed to stop the spread of smallpox. Today, the Crockett Tavern Museum is on the same spot. Davy Crockett lived in Morristown until 1809.

By 1833, Morristown was a small village. It had a post office, a store, a blacksmith shop, and homes. The Great Stage Road split the town into two counties. The first school, Morristown Academy, opened in 1830. In 1855, Morristown officially became a city.

Railroad access came in 1858 with the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. This was Tennessee's first working railroad. Morristown also got its first newspaper, the American Statesman, in 1857. By 1860, Morristown had about 500 people.

Between 1855 and 1870, Morristown was split between Grainger and Jefferson counties. People wanted better transportation and communication. So, Hamblen County was created in 1870. Morristown was chosen as its county seat.

Morristown During the Civil War

As the American Civil War began, people in Morristown had mixed feelings. Some supported the Union, and others supported the Confederacy. In December 1863, about 25,000 Confederate soldiers arrived near Morristown. They stayed at Bethesda Presbyterian Church for the winter. The church was used as a hospital.

Battles happened near the church in October and November 1864. On October 28, 1864, Union General Alvan C. Gillem attacked Confederate forces. This was the Battle of Morristown. Gillem's troops won, forcing the Confederates to retreat. About 335 soldiers were hurt or killed.

In November, Confederate forces won the Battle of Bull's Gap. They chased the Union troops back towards Knoxville. During one fight, a cannonball hit the church wall. The Union Army used the church as a hospital. Many soldiers from both sides are buried in the Bethesda Church cemetery.

Later Developments in the 1800s

Morristown slowly became more industrial in the 1800s. The first factory was the Shields Paper Mill, which operated from 1825 to 1861. Other early businesses included Morristown Manufacturing Company and the J. F. Goodson Coffee Company.

From 1891 to 1928, Morristown was a stop on the Knoxville and Bristol Railroad. Locals called it the "Peavine Railroad." This train line connected downtown Morristown to Corryton, near Knoxville.

Mid-1900s to Today

Main Street around 1905

American Enka and Workers' Rights

In 1944, the American Enka Company started building a rayon fiber plant in Morristown. It opened in 1947.

In March 1950, workers at the plant went on strike. The company tried to hire new workers. This led to tension and some violence. Shots were fired, cars were damaged, and a house was destroyed. The governor of Tennessee sent National Guard troops to restore order. The strike became national news.

In 1985, BASF bought the American Enka plant. It was later sold to Lenzing AG in 1992. The plant closed in 2005. The land where the plant stood is now part of Morristown.

Growing Industry

Starting in 1959, Morristown leaders worked to make the city a major industrial center. They built the East Tennessee Valley Industrial District (ETVID) industrial park. In 1962, the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company opened a plant there.

By 1978, the first industrial park was full. So, city officials built a second one, the Morristown Airport Industrial District (MAID). This park opened in 1981. Morristown's industrial growth is seen as a great example of economic growth.

In the 1990s, Morristown bought land for its third industrial park. This was the East Tennessee Progress Center (ETPC). Many large factories have opened facilities there.

After the 2007-2012 global economic crisis, Morristown lost a big employer, Berkline. This furniture company closed in 2011. This ended an era when Morristown was known for making furniture.

In 2018, the Belgian bus company Van Hool announced a large factory in Morristown. This project is one of the biggest in the city's history. It is expected to create 650 jobs.

Downtown Changes and the "Skymart"

By 1833, Morristown's first post office and store were on Main Street. Railroads built later helped the downtown area grow. After the Civil War, Morristown became a center for buying and selling goods.

In the early 1900s, new buildings went up downtown. These included the Henry Street Post Office and the Princess Theater. The Princess Theater hosted shows, movies, and even Grand Ole Opry performances. It closed in 1982 and was torn down in 1995.

After the 1950s, a new shopping mall outside downtown caused problems for downtown businesses. The city created a plan to modernize Main Street. They built an "overhead sidewalk" system called the "Skymart." This allowed businesses to be on the second floor of buildings. It also provided a cover for people walking below.

The project was finished in 1967. It was the first second-story sidewalk system in an American city. Over time, the Skymart became less used. However, the overhead sidewalks are still there.

Morristown is now working to bring the Skymart back to life. They see it as a way to make downtown a busy social and shopping area. City officials hold events in the "Skymart District" to attract people.

Geography and Nature

Morristown is in East Tennessee, in the Tennessee Valley. It sits between the Great Smoky Mountains to the south and Clinch Mountain to the north. It's part of the "Lakeway Area," which includes Cherokee and Douglas lakes.

The city is in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians area. The natural plant life here includes different kinds of oaks, hickory, pine, and maple trees.

In 2010, Morristown covered about 72.4 square kilometers (27.9 square miles). Only a small part of this, about 0.1 square kilometers (0.04 square miles), is water. Cherokee Lake, a man-made lake built in the 1940s, is north of the city.

Climate

Morristown has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers. In July, highs average around 86°F (30°C). Temperatures can go above 90°F (32°C) about eight days a year.

Winters are generally cool, with some snow. In January, highs average around 45°F (7°C). Low temperatures can drop into the single digits or teens. The highest temperature ever recorded was 103°F (39°C). The lowest was -19°F (-28°C).

The city gets about 48.14 inches (122.3 cm) of rain each year. It gets about 8.8 inches (22 cm) of snow.

People and Population

2020 Census Information

Morristown's population was 30,431 in 2020. There were 11,639 households and 6,985 families.

2010 Census Information

In 2010, Morristown had 29,137 people. There were 11,412 households and 7,278 families. About 86.52% of the people were White. About 6.63% were African American. People of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 19.37% of the population.

About 22.5% of households had children under 17. The average household had 2.47 people. The average family had 3.07 people.

The median age in the city was 36 years. About 24.85% of the population was under 17. About 16% were 65 or older.

The median income for a household was $27,005. For a family, it was $33,391. About 19.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Economy

Morristown is in the center of East Tennessee. It is a hub for jobs, drawing workers from a seven-county area. In 2019, the Morristown area's total economic output was about $5.1 billion.

The city is also home to a National Weather Service office. This office provides weather forecasts for much of East Tennessee. It also covers parts of Virginia and North Carolina.

Top Employers

Here are the top 15 employers in Morristown as of March 2021:

Real Estate

As of August 2020, there is a high demand for homes in Morristown. In 2020, new home construction in the city increased by 110%.

A study found that home prices in the Morristown area went up by 8.1% in late 2019. In 2010, the average home price in the Morristown-Hamblen area was $125,600.

In 2010, Morristown had over 1,000 businesses. These businesses employed more than 25,000 people. Property taxes came mostly from homes (50.1%), businesses (26.1%), and factories (20.1%).

Manufacturing

Morristown is one of the biggest manufacturing centers in Tennessee. It has several industrial parks. Over 100 factories are located here. They make everything from food to aerospace parts.

In 2019, Morristown had 109 manufacturing companies. It is expected to gain 3,000 more jobs in this area by 2024. Manufacturing employs nearly 10,000 people in Hamblen County. Another 11,000 people travel from nearby counties to work in Morristown's factories.

Retail

Morristown is a shopping hub. The College Square Mall serves about 300,000 people. There are also many local shops and chain stores. In 2016, retail sales in the city were almost $1.4 billion.

Arts and Culture

Festivals

Morristown hosts several yearly festivals:

• Morristown Strawberry Festival – held every May to celebrate local strawberries.
• Morristown Craft Beer Festival – a craft beer festival with live music in September.
• Mountain Makins Festival – an Arts and crafts festival held at the Rose Center every October.

Historic Sites

Crockett Tavern Museum in East Morristown. It's a replica of the original tavern and Davy Crockett's boyhood home.

• Bethesda Presbyterian Church
• Crockett Tavern Museum
• General Longstreet's Headquarters Museum
• Morristown Main Street Historic District
• Rose Center

Sports

Minor League Baseball

Morristown had several Minor League Baseball teams from 1910 to 1961. They played at Sherwood Park.

• The Morristown Jobbers played from 1910 to 1914.
• The Morristown Roosters played from 1923 to 1925.
• The Morristown Red Sox played from 1948 to 1954 and won a championship in their first year.
• The Morristown Reds replaced the Red Sox in 1954.
• The Morristown Cubs played from 1959 to 1961 and won the pennant in 1959.

Little League

Morristown has a long history with Little League softball and baseball. In 1985 and 1987, Morristown baseball teams made it to the Little League World Series. The 1985 team finished in third place.

Morristown teams have also done well in Little League Softball. They placed fourth in the 2006 Little League Softball World Series. They won the championship the following year.

Parks and Recreation

Morristown has several parks and recreation areas. These include Cherokee Park, Frank Lorino, Fred Miller, and Fulton-Hill. You can go boating and swimming at Cherokee Reservoir north of the city. Morristown also has several golf and disc golf courses.

Education

Public Schools

Public schools in Morristown are run by the Hamblen County Department of Education.

• There are four middle schools: East Ridge, Lincoln, Meadowview, and Westview.
• Morristown has two high schools: Morristown-Hamblen High School East and Morristown-Hamblen High School West.

Colleges

• The main campus of Walters State Community College is in Morristown.
• The main campus of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown is also here.
• Satellite campuses of King University and Tusculum University are located in Morristown.
• Carson-Newman University is just 7 miles away in Jefferson City, TN.

Media

Newspaper

• The Citizen Tribune is a daily newspaper. It covers news for Morristown and the surrounding area. It has been operating since 1966.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Morristown is home to the Morristown-Hamblen Hospital. It has 167 rooms, with 23 for emergencies. It is the main healthcare center for the Morristown metropolitan area.

Utilities

Morristown Utilities System (MUS) provides electricity, water, sewer, and internet. It serves about 15,000 customers in Morristown and Hamblen County.

Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) provides electricity and internet to parts of Morristown. It also serves nearby Jefferson and Grainger counties. AEC serves 46,000 customers.

Transportation

Morristown's roads are mostly for cars.

Morristown relies heavily on roads for transportation. Most people use cars to get around.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) maintains all U.S. routes, state routes, and I-81. Streets, sidewalks, and greenways are maintained by Hamblen County or the City of Morristown.

In 2002, Morristown and nearby towns were named an urbanized area. The Lakeway Area Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (LAMPTO) was created to plan transportation projects in this area.

Major Highways

• Interstate 81 connects Morristown to Interstate 40 in Dandridge. It also connects to the Tri-Cities region.
• U.S. Route 25E-Tennessee State Route 32 is the main north-south road. It connects Morristown to I-81 and U.S. Route 11W. It's also a popular way to get to Corbin, Kentucky.
• U.S. Route 11E-Tennessee State Route 34 is the main east-west road. It connects Morristown to Jefferson City and Greeneville.
• Tennessee State Route 160 is a bypass route for US 11E. It provides access to I-81.
• Tennessee State Route 66 connects Morristown to I-81 in White Pine.

Principal Highways

• I-81
• US 11E (Morris Boulevard, West Andrew Johnson Highway)
• US 25E (Davy Crockett Parkway)
• SR 32 (concurrent to US 25E)
• SR 34 (concurrent to US 11E)
• SR 66 (Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, East Andrew Johnson Highway, First North Street)
• SR 160 (Governor Dewitt Clinton Senter Parkway, Air Park Boulevard, Enka Highway)

Major Local Roads

• SR 113
• SR 341 (Alpha Valley Home Road)
• SR 342 (Panther Creek Road)
• SR 343 (Cumberland Street, Buffalo Trail)
• SR 344 (Old Russellville Pike)
• SR 474 (Merchants Greene Boulevard)

Rail Access

Norfolk Southern Railway operates freight transport in Morristown. This includes lines like the Crescent Corridor. The Southern Railway used to have passenger trains serving the city.

Public Transit

Lakeway Transit provides public transportation. It has three bus routes that connect to downtown, neighborhoods, and shopping centers.

Airport

Morristown Regional Airport (IATA:MOR) serves Morristown and the surrounding area. It has one runway that is 5,717 feet (1,743 meters) long. The city government operates the airport.

Notable People

• Ermal Allen, professional football player and coach
• Darrius Blevins, professional football player
• Davy Crockett, famous pioneer; grew up in Morristown
• Elaine Hendrix, animal rights activist and actress
• Tim Horner, professional wrestler and politician
• Evelyn Bryan Johnson, aviator and airport manager
• Josiah Leming, American Idol contestant
• Brett Martin, professional baseball player
• Gideon Morris, pioneer and founder of Morristown
• Rickey Parkey, champion boxer
• Frankie Randall, world champion boxer
• Randy Sanders, former football player and coach
• Dewitt Clinton Senter, former Governor of Tennessee
• James Stewart, professional football player
• Uncle Am Stuart, early country and folk music fiddle player
• Jane Wagner, playwright and actress
• Herbert S. Walters, former United States Senator
• Calvin Ward, soldier and Medal of Honor recipient
• John A. Willis, theatre and film editor

Images for kids

• 

  Main Street around 1905

• 

  Crockett Tavern Museum in East Morristown, a replica of the original tavern

• 

  Morristown's roads are mostly for cars.

• 

  Main campus of Walters State Community College in East Morristown

See also

In Spanish: Morristown (Tennessee) para niños