Palmyra, Tennessee facts for kids

Palmyra is a small community in Montgomery County, Tennessee. It's not a city with its own government, but a part of the larger county. You can find Palmyra along State Route 149, which is southwest of Clarksville.

For a long time, Palmyra had its own post office. But around 2010, it closed, and now mail for Palmyra is handled by the post office in nearby Clarksville. The special code for mail in Palmyra is 37142.

The Early Days of Palmyra

Palmyra was officially started in 1796 by a person named Morgan Brown. The government at the time, called the legislature, approved its creation.

Palmyra as a Port

Morgan Brown had a big plan for Palmyra. In 1797, he made sure it was named a "port of entry." This meant it was a special place where goods could be brought into the country and checked by customs officials. For two years, Palmyra was the only port of entry in the western part of the United States, until Cincinnati became one too.

Palmyra's Role in the Civil War

Palmyra has an interesting history from the American Civil War. In January 1863, a Confederate general named Joseph Wheeler brought his soldiers to the Cumberland River near Palmyra.

General Wheeler's Plan

General Wheeler wanted to stop Union ships that were going to Fort Donelson in Dover. Fort Donelson was only a few miles west of Palmyra. By blocking the river, he hoped to cut off supplies to the Union forces.

The Battle for Fort Donelson

The Union army knew about Wheeler's plan. So, they didn't send any ships on the river. This forced General Wheeler to change his strategy. He decided to attack Fort Donelson with his cavalry, which are soldiers who fight on horseback. However, Wheeler's attack was not successful. His soldiers faced many challenges and had to retreat after losing many men.

Palmyra Today

Today, Palmyra is part of the larger Clarksville metropolitan area. This means it's connected to Clarksville and the surrounding areas in Tennessee and KY that form a big community.

Notable People from Palmyra

• Enoch Tanner Wickham, a famous folk artist known for his unique sculptures.