Maynardville’s chronicles, culture and convenience
Maynardville is a small town cupped between two prominent parallel ridges: Copper and Hinds. “We are a real, close-knit community here, where everybody knows everybody, and we all pitch in and help any way we can. Even our fire department is made up of all volunteers,” says Mandi Suddath, local assistant librarian at Maynardville Public Library and volunteer at the Maynardville Fire Department. Though it may seem a sleepy town in Raccoon Valley, it is the seat of Union County, sliced through the middle by the main thoroughfare, State Route 33. Once known as the infamous Thunder Road, Route 33 was a passage for bootleggers hauling moonshine. The road then came to inspire crime dramas, song titles and movie characters. The county has also yielded many Country Music Hall of Famers, such as Kenny Chesney and Roy Acuff, giving Maynardville its state-proclaimed title of “The Cradle of Country Music.” Maynardville offers proximity to schools, parks and grocery shopping within a rural neighborhood rich with history and culture. “We have the Union County Opry, which has featured some big-name country stars and the Union County History Museum dedicated to the area,” Suddath says. Homebuyers looking to buy acres of land or properties away from the urban activity of Knoxville often choose Maynardville for its quiet nature, convenience and rural, small-town feel.
An assortment of Maynardville homes scatter the valley
The Maynardville housing market accommodates many different lifestyles. Lakeside living and luxury homes are available, and modest countryside options are also abundant. Lakefront properties include distinctive cabin styles and stately new builds of French Country and Greek Revival homes. These properties often feature private docks and boat houses. Farther inland, the hilly roads that run through Maynardville are shaded beneath the elder trees that grow in the valley’s woodland. Here, ranch-style homes are most common, but no two are the same. Some feature classic brick or vinyl siding with two shuttered windows, while others are raised with crosshatched balconies. Larger, pricier estates on multi-acre lots can also be found farther inland. Two-to-three-bedroom homes typically sell between $200,000 and $300,000, while grander homes with interior renovations surpass $500,000 and can climb past $1 million. Homes tend to last about a month on the market and receive multiple bids.
Outdoor aficionados set up camp in Maynardville
Maynardville is a nature enthusiast’s paradise, surrounded by state parks and miles of Norris Lake shoreline. The water is available for kayaking, waterskiing or sunbathing by the blue vista. Big Ridge State Park also neighbors Maynardville and features 15 miles of hiking trails that pass by meadows, lakeshores and early settlement remnants. There are over 50 campsites, and Big Ridge hosts many annual events. There are guided moonlit kayak tours and sunrise hikes, creative events such as soap making and group painting, educational wildlife programs and seasonal festivals. Wilson Park is 15 acres of donated land, with communal green space that honors fallen veterans. The park hosts light and fireworks shows, festivals and other gatherings adjacent to Union County High. The Winery at Seven Springs Farm is another option for those looking for a more laid-back weekend option. The farm offers tours of its vineyards and modern winemaking facility, providing many samples along the way.
Shopping and dining necessities found locally in Maynardville
Despite its rural layout, Maynardville has plenty of necessities thanks to community lobbying for more commercial business. Food City, Dollar General, Walgreens, Ace Hardware, banks and chain restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Little Caesars Pizza sit along Route 33. However, most businesses in the area are locally run, including medical practices, auto repair shops and restaurants. Next to the Beach Island Resort and Marina, the waterfront Bubba Brew’s Sports Bar & Grill serves classic American comfort food and cocktails, with live music, a pool table and dart boards. Bubba’s also offers boat parking and fueling stations.
Public education options in Maynardville
Maynardville children can attend Union County Schools. Depending on home addresses, students can start at either Paulette or Maynardville Elementary, which both score C grades on Niche. Students can then head to Maynard Middle and Union County High, which have C-plus scores. Union County High has an almost 100% graduation rate and offers various athletic programs, including tennis, wrestling, football and soccer. Varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams are available, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate.
Getting around Maynardville and surrounding counties
Maynardville is about 26 miles outside of Downtown Knoxville via Route 33. Route 170 also cuts through Maynardville, connecting locals in Anderson, Knox and Union Counties. For air travel, McGhee Tyson Airport is about 40 miles away, but state routes expedite the commute to under an hour. Express care and medical clinics can be found locally, with Cherokee Health Systems providing dentistry, eye specialists and primary care to the neighborhood.
