Washburn, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washburn, Tennessee
|
|
|---|---|
Painted barn in Washburn near SR 131
|
|
 Washburn, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Washburn, Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Grainger |
| Elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
| Population
(2000)
|
|
| • Total | 2,408 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37888
|
| Area code | 865 |
| FIPS code | 47-47057 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1304392 |
Washburn is a small community in the northern part of Grainger County, Tennessee, in the United States. It's not an official city, but an unincorporated community. This means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. Washburn is part of both the Knoxville metropolitan area and the Morristown metropolitan area. In 2020, about 3,289 people lived in Washburn.
Contents
Discovering Washburn's Past
Washburn has a cool history, especially linked to railroads and how towns grow. Let's explore how this community came to be!
How Washburn Got Its Name
In the 1890s, there was a lot of building happening in northern Grainger County. The Knoxville-Cumberland Gap Railroad was being built. The railroad company decided they needed a place for trains to stop and a storage area for train cars. They named this spot "Washburn." This name honored a person who helped build the railroad and made sure the laws were passed to make it happen.
From Puncheon Camp to Washburn
Before the railroad, this area was known as Puncheon Camp. It was even the main town for Grainger County for a while! This was before Rutledge became the county seat in 1801. Washburn officially got its name on June 2, 1898. This happened when the United States Postal Service opened a new post office there. It replaced an older post office nearby called Clear Spring.
Growing with the Railroad
Washburn quickly became a popular place for people who wanted to move out of Knoxville. The town kept growing into the early 1900s.
Building Washburn High School
In the 1950s, people decided that northern Grainger County needed its own high school. Before this, students had to travel all the way to Rutledge High School. That school was across Clinch Mountain in the county seat of Rutledge. Washburn High School was built to help these students. Later, smaller elementary schools in the area, like Thorn Hill and Powder Springs, closed. Their students then went to the new Washburn Elementary School.
Challenges and Changes
Towards the end of the 20th century, Washburn and northern Grainger County faced some tough times. Many people left to find more jobs and education in bigger cities.
In 2004, there was a discussion about building a new high school for the county. People in Washburn worried that their high school might close. They were concerned their kids would have to travel across Clinch Mountain every day. Rutledge High School had over 800 students, while Washburn High School had about 200. Construction on a new Grainger County High School started in 2006. County officials said students could choose to stay at Washburn High School or go to the new school.
Exploring Washburn's Location
Washburn is located at 36°17′24″N 83°35′28″W / 36.29000°N 83.59111°W. It's a central spot in northern Grainger County.
Washburn: A Hub for Local Services
Even though there are smaller communities nearby, like Joppa and Powder Springs, Washburn is seen as the main town. This is because it offers many important services. You can find a bank, a post office, a school, a library, a Dollar General store, and a medical clinic there. There are also several other local businesses.
Education in Washburn
Washburn School is the only public school in northern Grainger County. It serves students from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade.
