This
is Roane County, Tennessee
Lush
green foliage and gently rolling hills punctuated by steep bluffs; sweeping
valleys cradling clear rivers and lakes; clean air, hospitable people
and a relaxed pace: Welcome to Roane County, Tennessee.
Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Roane County is just
30 miles west of Knoxville and is easily accessible via Interstate 40
or any of the numerous state and federal highways that crisscross the
area. Though travel to and from Roane County is swift and convenient,
the county itself retains its gentle pace and rural flavor. Roane County
is comprised of the cities of Harriman, Kingston, Rockwood, and portions
of Oak Ridge and Oliver Springs.
The rich and fascinating history of Roane County begins in 1799 with
the establishment of Fort Southwest Point on a high bluff overlooking
the Clinch and Tennessee Rivers. In 1801, the Tennessee Legislature
was asked to establish a new county in the area immediately west of
Knox County. This new county was originally named Gallatin, but the
name was soon changed to Roane to honor Archibald Roane, the second
governor of Tennessee. Today, visitors can view a partial reconstruction
of Fort Southwest Point on its original site and a museum that houses
historical artifacts.
Though the county itself was sparsely populated, many settlers passed
through the area, traveling on Avery Trace and Walton Road, which would
later become U.S. Highway 70. Those settlers who stayed in Roane County
discovered that the rich river bottom soil produced abundant crops of
corn, wheat and later, cotton and the county’s staple crop of peaches.
Indeed, agriculture, along with ironworks and coal mining, was the foundation
of the county’s successful economy through the early 20th century.
In this way, Roane County’s population grew. Just as water played
an important role in Roane County history, the rivers, today collectively
known as Watts Bar Lake continue to have a tremendous economic impact
drawing tourists to the area for water recreation activities.
The confluence of the Clinch, Emory and Tennessee rivers made Roane
County a center of rural commerce and transportation during the early
days. A long bend in the Clinch River nearly encircles Kingston, making
it one of the best natural ports on the river. Kingston is one of the
oldest cities in Tennessee. The convenience of river commerce allowed
Kingston’s economy to thrive. An example of the city’s significance
in Tennessee history happened on Sept. 21, 1807, when Kingston served
as the state capital for one day, and the Tennessee House of Representatives
convened there. At the end of the day, the Senate and House of Representatives
resolved to “...adjourn forthwith from Kingston, to meet on Wednesday
at the courthouse in Knoxville.” Another reminder of the past is
the historic Roane County Courthouse, one of only seven remaining antebellum
courthouses in the state and home to the Roane County Museum of History.
As the population grew in Kingston, settlers traveled across the Clinch
River into an area known today as Midtown. Roane County is home to several
parks outlined by the scenic Watts Bar Lake. One example in the Midtown
area is the Roane County Park, an 80-acre nature preserve with walking
and hiking trails, playgrounds, a swimming area, pavilions, ball fields,
and tennis courts. Nearby is the newly refurbished Caney Creek Marina,
the first marina on Watts Bar Lake to earn the Tennessee Valley Authority’s
coveted Clean Marina Certification. Another popular attraction is the
Midtown Drive-In Theater, one of the few remaining drive-in theaters
in East Tennessee. The original theater, in operation from 1949 to 1980,
was renovated and reopened in 1994.
The City of Harriman also has a unique history. Known as “The Town
that Temperance Built,” Harriman was established by Frederick Gates,
a former Methodist minister and Chattanooga Land Company representative,
who envisioned a town of social temperance and industry that could be
commercialized for business, profit and the betterment of mankind. In
1890, Gates held the Great Land Sale,
in which he sold 573 lots in 10 hours for a total of $604,000. The American
Temperance University, founded in 1893, moved into the building previously
owned by the Land Company. By the turn of the century, Harriman was
the largest and most industrially diverse town in Roane County. Today,
the magnificent Temperance Building still graces Main Street Harriman
as a reminder of the past, and visitors can enjoy artifacts and photos
in the Harriman Heritage Museum. Some of the original homes built after
the Great Land Sale can still be seen in the Cornstalk Heights Historical
District in Harriman.
Oliver Springs, originally known as Winter’s Gap, was founded in
1830. Richard Oliver, for whom the town was renamed, was the first to
commercialize the natural mineral springs in the area, which attracted
travelers from all over the United States. Mineral springs were widely
regarded as alleviating a variety of physical ailments. To accommodate
these travelers, Oliver opened a beautiful, 150-room luxury hotel known
as The Richards House, which catered to wealthy visitors who came to
drink and bathe in the springs. Sadly, the hotel burned down in 1895,
though the original hotel ticket booth remains in the Oliver Springs
Railroad Depot Museum. Though the loss was a blow to Oliver Springs,
its basic industries, coal mining and lumber, still flourished, and
the town remained a thriving commercial center for decades.
The City of Rockwood was established after the Civil War when Union
officer and geologist John T. Wilder discovered iron on Walden Ridge.
He returned with northern industrialists to begin mining and milling
operations in 1868. Rockwood began as a company town serving the employees
of the Roane Iron Company. The town gets its name from the company’s
first president, William O. Rockwood. As the company and the town prospered,
other businesses moved into the area, thus expanding and diversifying
Roane County’s economic framework. Today, visitors enjoy the antique
shops, specialty stores, and restaurants that have moved into the renovated
buildings of downtown Rockwood.
The 1930’s and 1940’s dramatically changed Roane County. Two
national programs had significant impact on the county. The Tennessee
Valley Authority programs uprooted people from their land. The result
was a new economy, additional electricity, and a year-round navigable
waterway to Knoxville. The second national program was the Manhattan
Project, the government’s code name for the development of the
Atomic Bomb. Colonel Leslie R. Groves, with the Army Corps of Engineers
chose a large area in Roane and Anderson County to develop nuclear weapons.
Again, land was taken and whole communities disappeared for the efforts
of the war. An example was the Wheat Community. Nearby, the city of
Oak Ridge was developed. Today, Oak Ridge is home to internationally
recognized scientific research efforts, one of the nation’s top
national laboratories and is a mecca for scientific and technological
innovations. From genetics to robotics to Internet advances, world-changing
technologies continue to be developed in local facilities.
Today, Roane County’s economy is vital and strong. Many new businesses
and industries have located here during the last 10 years, and the citizens
of Roane County look forward to further development. With convenient
access to major transportation, a highly productive and reliable labor
force with a diverse array of skills, a low tax rate, abundant energy
supplies, and an excellent quality of life, Roane County is a prime
location for industrial and commercial development.
Roane County has been distinguished for many years as a Three-Star Community,
an award acknowledging that the community’s organization, attitude,
facilities and skills are ideal for attracting and retaining future
industry. Roane County has also received the Tennessee governor’s
A+ Award for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to providing quality
education.
The five cities that make up Roane County: Harriman, Kingston, Oak Ridge,
Oliver Springs and Rockwood, each have a unique history and have taken
steps to preserve their heritage through the restoration and preservation
of historic homes and other buildings. The residents of Roane County
believe that their quality of life is created from a balance between
the county’s rural roots and its vision for the future. Whether
you are looking for a home for your growing business or your growing
family, Roane County just might be the perfect place for you.
