Whiteville provides wide-open spaces outside Memphis
In Whiteville, homes spread out on vast, green lots give residents a measure of freedom on the edge of the Memphis metro. “That area has had a lot of people buying bigger-acreage tracts and building on those tracts—a lot of people who are wanting to do some hunting on their yard,” says local Realtor Jacob Bussenger, who’s with
Re/Max Experts and is a longtime resident of this region. “And then there are a lot of people with mini farmsteads.” Many homes in this area are older, but they come in a range of styles. As relatively secluded as the properties are, they’re within 2 miles of U.S. Route 64, a thoroughfare lined with businesses, and 15 miles from more amenities in the bigger city of Bolivar.
Rural environment provides room for hobbies
Whiteville’s narrow country roads offer a sampling of single-family homes with styles ranging from Victorian to ranch to Cape Cod. Some date to the early 1900s. The median lot size here is over half an acre, and Bussenger says many houses come with bigger acreage, sometimes 10 or more. Locals use their land for a variety of hobbies. “I’ve seen some people get honey bees,” Bussenger says. “A lot of people get chickens.” Properties needing work can sell for $40,000 to $100,000, while single-family houses in better condition garner $150,000 to $290,000. The area also has manufactured homes for $120,000 to $150,000.
Hardeman County schools offer early athletic opportunities
Whiteville is part of the Hardeman County School District, which carries a C rating from Niche. The C-minus-rated Whiteville Elementary has its own boys and girls basketball and cheerleading teams. The C-rated Bolivar Middle offers a band program and a Technology Student Association chapter in addition to athletic teams from football to golf. Bolivar Central High gets a C-plus, and has courses in disciplines including agriculture and culinary arts.
Central highway opens the door to the rest of the region
Route 64 bisects Whiteville. The highway takes drivers east to Bolivar and west to Interstate 40 for trips to Memphis. Memphis International Airport is about a 65-mile trip and has nonstop flights to nearly 40 destinations. West Tennessee Healthcare Bolivar Hospital, 10 miles away, has a 24-hour emergency room.
Route 64 is a hub for nearby amenities
Along with its importance for commutes out of town, Route 64 is also Whiteville’s primary commercial corridor. The stretch includes businesses like Country Cafe, which has good breakfast, Bussenger says. There’s a Dollar General across from the cafe, and nearby Fastimes is a gas station with a small grocery store. Pinner's Farm, Garden, and Sport carries everything from fishing gear to clothing. Bäckermann's Country Market on the outskirts of town houses a bakery, a cafe serving sandwiches, wraps and ice cream, and a store with canned goods, eggs, spices and more. People can make the quick trip to Bolivar for more stores, including Walmart and Tractor Supply Co.
Park and close-by lake provide outdoor recreation opportunities
Located just off the community’s Main Street, Whiteville Civic Park features a pair of play structures and a pavilion. Whiteville Lake, to the south, is a spot where anglers can go after bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. It is also open to waterfowl hunting. More fishing and hunting opportunities, and hiking trails, are available 16 miles away at the 11,556-acre Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge.
Main Street hosts a relatively new tradition
Whiteville closes out the summer with its annual Main Street Festival. The event started in 2021, happens in late August, and features live music, food trucks and a barbecue cooking contest. Whiteville also has a Juneteenth parade and celebration culminating with food trucks and entertainment at Civic Park.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
