Civil War history in Hamblen County’s largest city
Before there were quiet cul-de-sacs and neighborhood parks in Morristown, Tennessee, the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad made the city a key player in the Civil War. In October of 1964, the Battle of Morristown, referred to locally as “Vaughn’s Stampede” after Confederate General John C. Vaughn, led to the deaths of dozens of soldiers, many of whom were buried outside of the Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Today, this 1830s brick building still stands tall just outside the city's limits and is now part of The Longstreet Museum, a reminder of a time before shopping malls and interstates. “It’s perfect if you like history stuff,” says Tim Rutherford, affiliate broker at Clinch Mountain Realty & Auction Co. Rutherford goes on to highlight Morristown's proximity to other historic towns like Russellville, Dandridge and Rogersville. In the decades following the Civil War, Morristown became an industrial hub, home to paper mills, J. F. Goodson Coffee Company and — most recently — Van Hool, a Belgian bus manufacturer. Today, the population hovers around 32,000 and continues to climb, but thanks to efforts by the Downtown Morristown Program the city has been able to blend revitalization and preservation, almost seamlessly.
The Longstreet Museum is one of many historical sites scattered throughout the Morristown area.
Morristown's neighboring town of Russellville has more civil war history with sites like Bethesda Church.
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High inventory and decade-spanning architecture
Housing options in Morristown span decades of architectural styles. Closer to downtown, prospective buyers will find early 20th century bungalows and American Foursquares situated on compact lots. Midcentury brick homes are the most common style in the city, but there are also pockets of post-2000s era New Traditionals. The median sale price for a single-family home hovers around $275,000, which is substantially lower than the national median of $420,000. According to Rutherford, “Inventory is a little higher right now,” whereas homes used to sell after an average of two weeks. Now Rutherford says it can take closer to two months due to increased interest rates. As the largest city in Hamblen County, Tennessee, Morristown also has one of the highest crime rates in the area. Rates are also slightly higher than national averages. Most incidents are reported in neighborhoods closer to downtown. With the exception of auto thefts, the last five years have seen a decrease in both property and violent crimes.
New Traditional homes rest atop many of the hills in Morristown.
Mid century brick split-levels are a popular style seen throughout Morristown.
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Cherokee Reservoir and public parks of varying sizes
According to Rutherford, one of Morristown’s most attractive features is its proximity to the water and mountains; there’s the Cherokee Reservoir to the north and Douglas Lake to the south. “We’ve got fishing and skiing and camping,” he says. There's also more than a dozen public parks within the city limits ranging in size from just a couple acres to more than 140. The largest is Frank Lorino Park and amenities include everything from skate ramps and youth athletic facilities to walking trails and disc golf. There’s an inclusive playground in the aptly named Jolley Park, and the Rotary Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Cherokee Reservoir is stocked with large and smallmouth bass, crappie and more, and there’s also a nearby boat dock and an archery club. There are indoor activities at the Talley Ward Recreation Center, which also hosts the Hot Wheels Derby in March and local golfers can invest in memberships at The Country Club, a Morristown institution since 1955.
Jolly Park offers a safe place for families to gather and play in Morristown.
Cherokee Park entices Morristown locals to enjoy the outdoors with its opportunities for boating.
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A downtown ‘Skymart’ and Main Street revitalization efforts
In Morristown, Rutherford says, “You got access to about any kind of shopping,” from the boutiques, trinket stores and cafes lining Historic Main Street to the fast-food chains and big-box stores along U.S. Route 11 East. As the broker mentions, the city worked to modernize the downtown district after flooding in the 1960s, and the result was an overhead sidewalk — a so-called “Skymart” — that’s still in use today. The system created a second, elevated “street” and a canopy for pedestrians below. Morristown is looking to further revitalize its famous “Skymart” district with the help of a four-point approach designed by the National Main Street Program. So far, additions have included a new ramp, and there’s also an active calendar of community events which includes an outdoor farmers market during warmer months, First Fridays at the Downtown Green and a Christmas Parade. Residents will find more shopping opportunities at the College Square Mall, which is home to approximately 50 retailers. Morristown’s cultural diversity is also reflected in its food scene and residents will find a healthy mix of casual Mexican joints, southern comforts and even a few Greek restaurants.
Morristown's historic Main Street is lined with unique shops selling all kinds of trinkets.
College Square Mall offers Morristown residents a robust shopping experience with almost 50 retailers.
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The Rose Center and the Crockett Tavern Museum
Established in the late 19th century, the brick building that once housed the Rose School is now an arts and cultural center in Morristown. Here, residents can take classes on illustrating or cake decorating, attend concerts or visit the gallery of rotating exhibits. According to Rutherford, the Rose Center also hosts annual events like the Mountain Makins Festival, an arts and crafts fair held each October. Other historic sites within the city include the Crockett Tavern Museum, which honors the American folk hero and sells pioneering tools at its gift shop.
The Rose Center in Morristown offers classes, concerts, and a rotating gallery exhibits.
Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown pays tribute to the American folk hero.
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A ‘mutual spot’ with access to larger cities, airports and more
Rutherford describes Morristown as a “mutual spot” in the middle of everything: country, mountains, water and urban centers. “A lot of people come to Morristown because it’s close to everything,” he says, adding, “You can get to the city in less than an hour, and most people rely on their own vehicles [rather than public transit].” Lakeway Transit offers three fixed bus routes throughout Morristown and the proximity of Interstate 40 allows for easy access to both Knoxville and Gatlinburg, both about 50 miles away. Within Morristown’s city limits, it’s common for residents to work for major employers like the Hamblen County Department of Education, Koch Foods or MAHLE Powertrain, and the Morristown Regional Airport is open to the public. Commercial flights are accessible out of the Tri-Cities Airport or the Knoxville Airport. Medical care — from emergency visits to pediatric appointments — is also available through the Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System.
Interstate 40 provides access to Knoxville and Gatlinburg, each about an hour drive from Morristown.
Morristown residents can usually travel to Knoxville in under an hour.
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The Hamblen County School District and a community college
Students can attend schools within the Hamblen County School District, which, along with earning an overall B grade from Niche, is also one of the area’s largest employers. Over 10,000 students are spread across 18 schools. Morristown is also home to Walters State Community College and educational opportunities are also available at the Morristown-Hamblen Library. Programs at the library include fitness classes for adults, “read to a dog” events in the Children’s Room and Dungeons and Dragons meet-ups.
Morristown is home to Walters State Community College which serves students in the area.
Morristown-Hamblen Library in Morristown offers adult fitness classes, Dungeons and Dragons meet-ups, and more.
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Written By
Sara Caskey
Video By
Daniel Willingham
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ashlee Shirey,
an experienced agent in this area.
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