Jacksboro mixes outdoors and small-town charm
Jacksboro is tucked between Cumberland Mountain and the shores of Norris Lake. The location offers diverse scenery and a mix of mountain and lakefront living for the town’s roughly 2,000 residents. While the rocky ridges and woods draw hikers and off-roaders, the lake provides a nearby hotspot for watersports. “It’s just got everything,” says Melissa Newberry, a Realtor with Mountains to Lake Real Estate. “No matter where you look, you have mountain views, or you have water views. It’s a very quaint place.” Jacksboro also has a historic Main Street area with vintage buildings, a Neoclassical-style courthouse and the Campbell County War Memorial, a stone obelisk with World War I era cannons. “If you see the downtown area, you think of a small Southern town,” Newberry says. “It’s very charming.”
Homes are on hills and lakefront lots
Jacksboro has several hilly neighborhoods, where homes line narrow roads with no sidewalks. The area offers residents space, with a median lot size of about half an acre. Those who live along Norris Lake may get on the water from private backyard docks. Some homes near the lake are also on top of steep, wooded hills. Architectural designs include ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals. Most homes under 2,500 square feet sell from about $180,000 to $460,000. Homes with lakefront access and multi-acre lots sell from about $580,000 to $980,000, while larger and more upscale options run between $1.2 million and $2.8 million.
Off-roading, hiking and lake activities are nearby
Like the rest of the region, off-roading is a pastime around Jacksboro. The town is near a section of the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, where Jeeps and other vehicles often cross muddy grounds, creeks and woods. Hiking spots include Eagle Bluff, a large sandstone cliff with sweeping views of the valley and town. The cliff is a stopping point on a roughly 12-mile trail between nearby Caryville and LaFollette. Features along the trail include a couple of rock walls that have been compared with the Great Wall of China due to their unique shapes. Those looking to get on Norris Lake may rent a pontoon boat or jet ski at the Indian River Marina. Cove Lake State Park in Caryville offers paddling and bass fishing spots.
Food options include a pizza buffet, Southern cooking and barbecue
The town has several chain and locally-owned restaurants. Manahouse Coffee’s menu includes panini sandwiches and drinks like its signature Biscoff latte. Charley’s Pizza Parlor has a variety of pies, which patrons may get at the buffet. “Everybody goes to Charley’s to eat,” Newberry says. The Local is a casual spot, where options include Southern favorites like fried green tomatoes and fried okra. People often make the short trip to neighboring Caryville to try out Rickard Ridge BBQ’s award-winning meats. “A lot of people go there because it sits on the lake,” Newberry says. Walmart offers retail and grocery shopping.
Local schools offer tutoring, career prep and JROTC
Campbell County Public Schools serves Jacksboro and receives a C grade from Niche. The town is home to Jacksboro elementary and middle schools, which get B-minus grades. The middle school offers Bonnaroo, a two-hour after-school program that begins with tutoring and ends with fun activities like board games and cooking. Campbell County High School receives a C. The high school’s career and technical education program includes dual-credit courses for students interested in fields like nursing. High schoolers thinking about a future in the military may also join Junior ROTC.
Fall and music festivals bring the community together
Annual events include the Jacksboro Fall Festival in late October. The town closes off Main Street for various food vendors and live music performances. Free flu shots are also available at the event. Other area events include the Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival at Cove Lake State Park. The festival’s main attraction is its musical lineup, which consists of string performers showcasing genres like blues and bluegrass.
Commuters have quick access to U.S. 25W and I-75
Jacksboro commuters have quick access to U.S. Highway 25W and Interstate 75. The interstate provides a direct route to Knoxville, more than 30 miles south. U.S. 25W goes to LaFollette, 5 miles northeast. LaFollette has the nearest hospital, the LaFollette Medical Center. Less than 50 miles south, McGhee Tyson Airport is the region’s hub for commercial air travel.
