River and lake access make Tiptonville a recreation hub
Along the Missouri-Tennessee border, Tiptonville’s greatest strength is its access to recreation. This rural city is cradled by the Mississippi River and Reelfoot Lake, a 15,000-acre lake carved out by the 1811 and 1812 New Madrid earthquakes. People visit from all over to fish, boat, hike, camp and hunt around these waterways. The city’s economy thrives on seasonal tourism and local industry. While shopping hubs and other big city amenities are a drive away, the city’s laidback atmosphere and lower home prices attract longtime residents. “We’ve had a few newcomers in the last few years, but so many people grew up here, still live here and raised all their children here,” says Fran Hearn, a Tiptonville native and the city’s clerk. “Everybody feels like family.”
Year-round outdoor activities range from duck hunting to fishing
The Mississippi River and Reelfoot Lake State Park create ample opportunities for year-round recreation. “We may be small, but we are a tourist area,” Hearn says. “In spring and summer, we have fishing season, and in winter, there’s duck hunting.” Private boats and pontoon tours cruise along Reelfoot Lake’s waters while anglers try to catch bass and catfish. The state park has tent, RV and cabin campgrounds, as well as miles of hiking trails through wetlands and cypress tree forests. Inside Tiptonville city limits, Quake Lake Park offers accessible playgrounds, a splash pad and picnic pavilions. Lake County Recreational Park has four large ball fields.
Bungalows and ranch-style homes in a tree-lined rural setting
Residential roads are wide enough to accommodate two-way traffic. Lawns are large, grassy and usually shaded by mature trees. Telephone wires hang overhead, and some houses face open farmland. Bungalows and ranch-style homes are the most common offerings, but American Foursquares are along a few streets. Prices typically range between $120,000 and $220,000, but compact bungalows and investment properties can sell between $35,000 and $60,000. The city also has a few apartment complexes, making the number of renters and owners almost even.
Commuter highways, correctional jobs and a new manufacturing facility
Tiptonville’s isolated location and lack of public transit require people to drive. Route 21 connects to Union City in about 30 miles, while Route 78 leads to Interstate 155, which crosses into Missouri. The community has Lake County Primary Care Clinic, but the nearest hospital is Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, about 30 miles away. Drivers are 77 miles from McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport.
An active railroad passes through the community. Hearn says sections are being reconstructed in preparation for the opening of the Sinova Silicone manufacturing facility. Construction has been ongoing since 2022. “We’re excited about it because it’s going to bring more employment, and it’ll make our river port even more operational,” Hearn says. The city’s current major employer is the Northwest Correctional Complex, which employs over 1,000 Lake County residents, many of whom live in Tiptonville.
Murals and museums are next to the city’s limited retail options
Commercial options line Carl Perkins Parkway. Some are chain restaurants, like Sonic Drive-In, Dairy Queen and Godfather’s Pizza. Sherry’s Kuntry Kupboard serves generously portioned southern comfort food. DG Market and Food Rite are the primary supermarkets, but the Tiptonville Farmers Market sells fresh produce, locally canned goods and handmade items every Saturday morning.
City attractions include the historic Strand Theatre, which screens one film per day from Friday to Sunday inside its Art Deco cinema. The Carl Perkins Visitor Center shares the life and legacy of the American musician and Tiptonville native, Carl Perkins. People can even tour his childhood home. Across the street is the Freedom Silo III, where a massive eagle mural and the words “Welcome to Reelfoot Lake” are brightly painted.
Reelfoot Lake’s seasonal festivals celebrate wildlife and art
Many annual events take place near Reelfoot Lake State Park. In winter, the three-day Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival hosts eagle and waterfowl tours, vendor markets and a photography contest. In October, the Pelican Festival offers similar activities. One of the community’s biggest events is the Reelfoot Arts and Crafts Festival. “It brings people in from several counties, and vendors come in from several states,” Hearn says. “We have more traffic that weekend than ever.” Attendees browse over 100 booths selling handcrafted goods while live music drifts through the air.
Schools are split between Tiptonville and Ridgely
Students attend Margaret Newton Elementary School from prekindergarten to second grade before moving on to Lara Kendall Elementary, which serves grades three through eight. Both schools have C ratings from Niche. Lake County High has a B-minus score. Margaret Newtown Elementary and Lake County High are inside Tiptonville, while Lara Kendall Elementary is 8 miles south in Ridgely.
