GREENEVILLE, TENNESSEE: AN OVERVIEW
Greeneville, TN: Known as the gateway to the rolling Appalachian mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Greeneville is steeped in rich American history and blessed with natural beauty and small-town charm.
Within striking distance of four state parks, world-class whitewater rivers and serene mountain-fed creeks full of rainbow, brown and brook trout, Northeast Tennessee boasts excellent mountain biking, hiking, climbing and camping. It's also only 70 miles from Knoxville, 35 miles from the Tri-Cities region of Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol and 70 miles from Asheville, North Carolina.
Early settlers followed Indians and animals to the Big Spring – a water source that eventually served the growing town of Greeneville for 150 years. By the mid-1700's, early settlers of the region were gathering at this large spring, listening to the Reverend Samuel Doak preach under the bows of a willow tree. In 1783, this meeting place became the town of Greeneville.
Three years later, legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett was born on the banks of the romantic Nolichucky River near the mouth of Limestone Creek. He later died in Texas, defending the Alamo during the war for Texas' independence from Mexico.
By 1826, when an illiterate tailor's apprentice named Andrew Johnson arrived in town, Greeneville was a flourishing community. Self-educated, this young man rose through every political office, from Greeneville alderman to 17th President of the United States. His home, tailor shop and burial place, as well as a visitor center, are open to the public and maintained as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Park Service.
During the Civil War, Greeneville changed hands several times. Although the state voted to secede, East Tennessee was an island of unionist sentiment. On the lawn of the Greene County Courthouse are two monuments that commemorate the Civil War. One is dedicated to local troops who served in the Grand Army of the Republic (Union), and another memorializes General Morgan, known as the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy." Greeneville is thought to be the only town in the United States that pays tribute to both the Union and the Confederacy in its courthouse square. Morgan, incidentally, was killed during a surprise attack by Federal troops in 1864. Legend has it that the General Morgan Inn was built where his body fell.
Today, Greeneville is a town with one foot firmly rooted in its proud history and one poised for great change and remarkable growth. Greeneville's Tusculum College is the oldest Presbyterian-affiliated institution of higher learning in the United States. Founded in 1794, this proud school was recently awarded Division I-A status and boasts both a state-of-the-art sports complex and baseball stadium where the Houston Astros' rookies play summer league.
Greeneville's climate consists of four very distinct, very mild seasons, which allow residents and visitors to take advantage of the limitless outdoor recreational opportunities available. The average annual temperature is 55 degrees with 9 inches of snowfall annually, and an average of 42 inches of rainfall.
In two separate publications in the mid 90's, Greeneville was chosen the #1 small town in Tennessee by Norman Crampton, author of The 100 Best Small Towns in America, a nationwide guide to the best in small town living. Greeneville was also one of four towns in Tennessee and one of 200 towns and villages in the United States listed in America's Most Charming Towns and Villages.
Health care is excellent. In 1999-2000 more than 85% of Greene County residents requiring inpatient hospital services chose to stay in Greene County hospitals. Laughlin Memorial Hospital has provided medical assistance to the community since 1939. A state-of-the-art $38 million hospital building opened in 1995 with 140 Hospital beds. Takoma Adventist Hospital is a 115-bed facility which has offered health care in a Christian atmosphere for more than 70 years. Both local hospitals are fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
More than 75 doctors currently practice in Greene County, specializing in a variety of fields, while more than 20 dentists in the area serve Greeneville and surrounding communities. In addition, a Veteran's Administration hospital and Johnson City Medical Center are located thirty miles away in Johnson City. The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville is 70 miles away.
Crime Rates are minimal. Reportable offenses averaged 60% below national crime figures. That amounts to 15 offenses per 1,000 residents, compared to a national average of 58 per 1,000 residents. The incidence of violent crime is even lower.
Greeneville also has the second highest performing city government in Tennessee, and is in the top 10% in the nation. Rated on schools, police, fire, streets and parks, the city scored 66 (the national average is 46).
Greene County is proud of its diverse economic base and low per capita debt (less than $100 per capita). Moody's Municipal Credit Report gives Greene County a Grade A rating which puts it in the top 25% of counties in Tennessee. All of Greene County's current debt will be paid within ten years.
In 2000, the average price of a single-family, three- or four-bedroom home in Greene County was $97,362. A five-bedroom home averaged $218,807. The average price for a condominium was $102,458. Monthly rental on a two-bedroom apartment averaged $375.
Today, Greeneville is poised to become a sustainable model for small-town America and a desirable community for a "new generation of 21st century pioneers."
For more information, please visit www.rediscovergreeneville.com or contact Bob Cantler at (423) 202-5167, (800) 223-2679 or gm@generalmorganinn.com.