Wheat, Tennessee facts for kids
Wheat was once a small farming community located in Roane County, Tennessee. Today, the land where Wheat used to be is part of the city of Oak Ridge.
Contents
The Beginning of Wheat
People first started settling in this area in the late 1700s. However, it wasn't until 1846 that it became an official community called Bald Hill. The name changed to Wheat in 1880. This happened when a post office opened, and the community was named after its first postmaster, Frank Wheat.
One of the earliest settlers and a key person in the town's history was Levi Henderson Wheat. He was a farmer who moved to Roane County around 1805. Levi Wheat worked the land and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He had a large family and helped the community grow.
Early Life and Plantations
Other early farming families included John Henry and Elizabeth Inman Welcker. They owned a large farm called Laurel Banks plantation near the Clinch River. Later, in the 1840s, George Hamilton Gallaher bought the property. It is now known as the Gallaher-Stone Plantation.
Two important burial sites from that time still exist: the Wheat Community African Burial Ground and the Gallaher-Welcker Cemetery. The African Burial Ground was rediscovered in 2000. It was cleaned up and marked by volunteers. It is believed that some people buried there were part of the Gallaher-Stone Plantation. A monument stands there to remember those who were held in slavery.
Community Life and Education
Over time, Wheat grew to have several churches, stores, a gas station, and even a Masonic lodge. Education was also important. Poplar Creek Seminary was founded in 1886 by a Presbyterian minister. This school later became Roane College. In 1908, the college building was given to Wheat High School.
The End of the Community
The community of Wheat came to an end in 1942. This happened when the United States government bought the land. They needed the area for a secret project called the Manhattan Project. This project was very important during World War II. Most of the land is still owned by the federal government today. It is managed by the United States Department of Energy.
What Remains Today
The George Jones Memorial Baptist Church is the only building from the original Wheat community that is still standing. It is recognized as a historic place on the National Register of Historic Places. Another church, Crawford Presbyterian Church, was taken down for a highway project. However, the cemeteries of both churches are still cared for. They are even used for burials of former Wheat residents and their families.
Every year, former residents of Wheat and their families hold a "homecoming" reunion. This special event takes place at the George Jones Church on the first Sunday in October. It helps them remember their community and stay connected.
