Thorn Hill, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thorn Hill, Tennessee
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Unincorporated town
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Downtown Thorn Hill alongside old U.S. Route 25E, circa 1940s
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 Thorn Hill, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Thorn Hill, Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Grainger |
| Elevation | 1,380 ft (421 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37881
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| Area code | 865 |
| FIPS code | 47-47057 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1314397 |
Thorn Hill is a small, unincorporated community. It is located in the rural northeastern part of Grainger County, Tennessee. This area is part of the larger Morristown Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson counties.
Contents
History of Thorn Hill
The Battle of Thorn Hill
In 1901, a four-year conflict started in Thorn Hill. It was between two families and was known as "The Battle of Thorn Hill." This began after a well-known local person was killed. The conflict led to more acts of violence in the community.
Road Construction and Challenges
In 1976, work began to make U.S. Route 25E wider. This road project stretched from Thorn Hill, across Clinch Mountain, to Bean Station. It became a four-lane highway. The construction finished in 1980. During this project, the Tennessee Department of Transportation faced problems. They had multiple landslides that slowed down the work.
Geography and Location
Thorn Hill is found in the central northeastern part of Grainger County. It is located right where U.S. Route 25E and Tennessee State Route 131 meet. Clinch Mountain and other nearby ridges are important natural features. They rise up to the south and north of Thorn Hill.
Economy and Resources
Marble Quarrying
From the early 1940s until the late 2000s, Thorn Hill was home to the Imperial Black Marble Quarry. This quarry mined a special type of rock called Tennessee marble. The black marble from this mine was used in many famous buildings. These include the Tennessee State Capitol, the Knox County Courthouse, the National Archives Building, and even the Washington Monument. In 2007, the Tennessee Marble Company bought the mine. They did not have immediate plans to reopen it.
Zinc Mining
Thorn Hill is also the site of the Clinch Valley Zinc Deposit. This is part of a larger area known for zinc mining, called the Copper Ridge Zinc Mining District. Zinc was first found here around 1950. Mining operations for zinc began in 1977.
Education Opportunities
Thorn Hill itself does not have a school. Students living in the community attend schools in nearby areas. These schools are part of the Grainger County Schools district. They are managed by the Grainger County Board of Education.
- Washburn School (Kindergarten to 12th grade)
- Bean Station Elementary School (Kindergarten to 6th grade)
- Rutledge Middle School (7th to 8th grade)
- Grainger High School (9th to 12th grade)
