Monteagle blends mountain solitude with city accessibility
There are many draws to the town of Monteagle, a picturesque community that spans parts of Franklin, Grundy and Marion counties. “The beauty of the Cumberland Mountains, the quietness and the small-town feel. It’s almost like a resting spot. You get to the top of the mountain, and you just want to stay there,” says Mike Winton, a Realtor with Mike Winton Realty & Auction who sells throughout South-Central Tennessee. Monteagle may seem like a vacation spot, with its tree-filled, hilly terrain and charming mountain cabins, but most of its 2,100 residents are full-time. They get the best of both worlds here: proximity to big cities Chattanooga and Nashville, about 50 and 80 miles away, respectively, and the solitude of mountain living at home.
Quiet streets and secluded homes with tree-filled lots
Homes in Monteagle include bungalows, cabins, manufactured-style and ranch-style. They sit on spacious lawns landscaped with grass and tall, mature trees. Residential streets are quiet and winding, and even when homes sit close together, they feel secluded. Several gated communities, including Clifftops and Timberwood, provide even more privacy. Prices typically start at around $300,000 and climb to nearly $700,000, with higher priced homes often sitting on multiple acres, spanning over 2,000 square feet or both. Land is also available, for those who want to build new homes. Prices range from $22,000 to $550,000, with higher priced properties offering lake access, spanning more than five acres or both.
Franklin County schools offer open enrollment and magnet options
Children can attend Franklin County School District schools. The district rates a C-plus on Niche and includes open enrollment across district lines, magnet programs for specialized learning, and charter schools with lottery-based admission where there is space. Out-of-district transfers are allowed but often hinge on district policy and capacity. Some of the schools within the district are B-plus-rated Sewanee Elementary, C-rated South Middle and C-plus-rated Franklin County High. The high school offers clubs and organizations, including eSports, a guitar club and a chapter of Future Farmers of America.
Outdoor fun includes hiking trails, fishing and a playground
Monteagle is about 70 miles from Fall Creek Falls State Park, known for its 256-foot waterfall and access to hiking on the Cumberland Plateau. South Cumberland State Park is much closer to home and loved for its hiking trails, fishing, swimming and opportunities for hunting and rock climbing. Laurel Lake also offers fishing and swimming, plus boating in the summer, and ice skating and ice fishing in the winter. Cyclists and joggers head to the Mountain Goat Trail, a 12-mile-long paved path that runs through the community and connects to nearby cities. Hannah Pickett Adventure Playground is on the community’s east side and features play equipment incorporating elements like tires, ropes and rock walls.
Many options for shopping, dining and entertainment
Residents pick up groceries at Piggly Wiggly and essentials at Dollar General. Locally owned Mooney’s Market & Emporium offers a small selection of pantry items along with knitting supplies, pottery and gifts. Dining options include local spots like Papa Ron’s Pizza & Italian Steakhouse, which has been serving the community for over 20 years; Mountain Goat Market, which serves pizza and sandwiches; and High Point, a fine dining restaurant located in what is presumed to be Al Capone’s 1920s mansion. “It’s absolutely our go-to for special events like birthdays and anniversaries,” Winton says. For live music, residents head to The Caverns, a subterranean music venue not far from town that is built within a massive, natural cave. Highpoint Health System has a medical center on the east side of town, and a hospital with an emergency room in nearby Swanee.
Annual arts and crafts market brings community together
The Monteagle Mountain Market for Arts & Crafts draws crowds each July and features more than 100 local artisans, crafters and food vendors.
Roadways include an infamous and hazardous stretch of I-24
Residents get around by car, mostly using Interstate 24, which runs through town. This portion of I-24 is infamous among truckers, because of its steep decline and propensity to cause wrecks. It is so well known that it inspired songs by Jerry Reed and Johnny Cash. It shuts down regularly during inclement weather and drivers are rerouted to U.S. Route 41, which travels through the north side of town. The closest airport is Chattanooga Metropolitan, about 60 miles away.
Monteagle can see hail, flash floods and major snowstorms
Monteagle’s hot, muggy summers can bring severe thunderstorms with hail and flash flooding, and its cold winters often feature below-freezing temperatures and major snowstorms.
