Reliance, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reliance, Tennessee
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Knoxville Southern Railroad Bridge over the Hiwassee River in Reliance.
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 Reliance, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Reliance, Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Polk |
| Elevation | 778 ft (237 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37369
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| Area code(s) | 423 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1639568 |
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Reliance Historic District
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| Location | Polk County, Tennessee, United States |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000350 |
| Added to NRHP | March 13, 1986 |
Reliance is a small community in Polk County, Tennessee, United States. It is not an official town or city, which is why it's called an unincorporated community.
This community is located right by the Hiwassee River. It sits where two state roads, Tennessee State Route 30 and Tennessee State Route 315, meet. Reliance is about 8.8 miles (14.2 km) east of a town called Benton.
Even though its post office closed in 2011, Reliance still has its own ZIP code, which is 37369. In 2020, about 916 people lived in the area covered by this ZIP code.
Reliance's Past
Reliance has a rich history! The area is so important that a special part of it, called the Reliance Historic District, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it's a place with buildings and sites that are important to the history of the United States.
Historic Buildings and Sites
The historic district includes several interesting old buildings. These are the Vaughn-Webb House, the Higdon Hotel, the Watchman's House, the Hiwassee Union Church and Masonic Lodge, and Webb Brothers' Store. Each of these places tells a part of Reliance's story.
How Reliance Grew
Reliance started to grow in the late 1800s. People built a grist mill and a sawmill along the river. These mills used the power of the water to grind grain and cut wood.
Around the same time, a railroad was built through the area in the late 1880s. This railroad made it easier to travel and transport goods, especially to the nearby Copper Basin area.
A ferry also began operating across the river. This ferry helped people and goods cross the Hiwassee River. In 1912, a one-lane bridge replaced the ferry. This bridge was later replaced in 1992 and is now part of State Route 315.
Important Old Buildings
- Higdon Hotel: A home built in 1878 was made into the Higdon Hotel in 1890. It first provided places to stay for railroad workers. The hotel stayed open until the 1930s when passenger trains stopped coming through.
- Vaughn-Webb House: This historic home was built in 1888 and is still standing today.
- Watchman's House: Built in 1891, this house was for a railroad watchman. Their job was to make sure trains crossing the bridge over the Hiwassee River did not accidentally set the bridge on fire.
- Hiwassee Union Church and Masonic Lodge: This building was constructed in 1899. It served as both a church and a meeting place for the Masonic Lodge. It was also used as a school for the community's children.
- Post Office: Reliance had a post office for a very long time, from 1879 until it officially closed in 2011.
