Bolivar blends Southern hospitality with outdoor recreation
Living in the quiet city of Bolivar is like living in a movie about the South. Grand vintage homes and towering oaks line the streets, and friendly neighbors all know each other’s names, greeting one another as they pass on the street. “It’s just a small, rural country community,” says Julia Crow, a real estate agent at Sunrise Properties with over 16 years of experience. “The price of homes is usually a little lower. It’s easy to get to Memphis and large cities. Bolivar is the county seat, so there’s more opportunity.” Sitting in the center of Hardeman County, Bolivar was originally founded about 1 mile north, but moved due to repeated flooding from the Hatchie River. It was reestablished in 1825 and named after the South American military officer Simon Bolivar. Today, it is a small city of about 5,000 people, known for its historic homes, community events and outdoor recreation.
Vintage homes and newer properties sit on shaded, large lots
Bolivar has multiple historic areas in town, including the Bills-McNeal Historic District. Homes here include elaborate Italianate, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival and Victorian architecture, surrounded by stately trees that provide plenty of shade. The North Main Street Historic District features similar housing styles. Midcentury ranch-style homes and 21st-century New Traditional houses are also common. Outside the city proper, homes often sit on 1 acre or more, with dense foliage around the lots. Fixer-uppers and investment properties typically cost between $50,000 and $150,000. Move-in ready homes can sell for $130,000 to $360,000. Much of the area is prone to flooding. Hardeman County has an Emergency Management Agency to plan for and respond to disasters.
Farmers market and festivals create a lively town square
Community events in Bolivar offer ways for neighbors to get together throughout the year. The downtown area hosts Music on the Square, a free concert series, on Friday nights from May through October. The Bolivar Farmers Market takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the courthouse square, offering locally grown produce, meat and eggs. Red, White and Bolivar is the city’s annual Independence Day celebration, which features live music, food trucks and fireworks. Barbecue lovers will enjoy the Bolivar Barbecue Blowout, a festival held in October with food, live music and a cornhole tournament.
Recreation ranges from disc golf to boating and hiking
Several parks around Bolivar offer a variety of recreation. The city's newest park, Sand Beach Lake, has room for boating and fishing. It is still under development, and planned features include walking trails, an amphitheater and boat rentals. City Park has sports fields and a public swimming pool. Residents can enjoy a scenic stroll at the 170-acre Pleasant Run Creek Park, which includes trails, a disc golf course and a fishing lake. About 17 miles away, Chickasaw State Park has nearly 1,300 acres of recreation. Fishing, swimming and boating are popular on Lake Placid. Golfers can tee off on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Hikers and bikers can enjoy miles of trails to explore through the forest.
Downtown blends locally owned dining and shopping
Bolivar’s downtown has locally owned cafes and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. “The main one is J&J Fish House. It’s a nice restaurant in the main part of town,” Crow says. “They’ve got Mexican and Chinese restaurants, but J&J is really nice.” The casual spot on Market Street serves fried fish and other comfort food like burgers and chicken tenders. Simon’s is an upscale American spot near the courthouse known for its steak and catfish. Carriage House Coffee offers a place for a morning brew or a midday pick-me-up downtown. Small boutiques and gift shops fill the downtown streets. Groceries are available at Maxwell’s Big Star, and chains like Walmart and Family Dollar are in town.
Career-focused classes available at Bolivar High School
Bolivar Elementary School and Bolivar Middle School each get a C from Niche, and Bolivar Central High School earns a C-plus. Students can prepare for careers with classes in agriculture, auto mechanics, culinary arts and health science. Notable alumni include a former U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka and a Tennessee state representative.
Major highways offer quick access to Memphis and Jackson
U.S. Route 64 is the main highway through town, offering convenient access to other nearby roads and cities. “You can take 64 directly to Memphis and Interstate 40. You can be in Memphis in less than an hour,” Crow says. Highway 64 connects to I-40 for a 73-mile drive into Memphis. State Route 18 leads about 28 miles northeast to Jackson, another larger city in the region. Bolivar General Hospital provides health care on Nuckolls Road.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
