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Anderson County Community Information General Information / Education / Medical / Cultural / Recreation The proud history and bright future of Anderson County. Indians first ventured into the northwestern rim of the Great Valley as early as the 1400’s. White explorers and long hunters like Daniel Boone first ranged across the wild and rugged Cumberland Mountains and down the untamed Clinch River in the 70’s. Anderson County was originally a part of Knox County, which once extended all the way to the Kentucky border. But by 1801 there were enough people in the region above Copper Ridge and Poplar Creek to warrant the establishment of a new county, named Anderson for Judge Joseph Anderson. A county seat was decreed and built that year, near a popular spring and ford on the north side of the Clinch. The town was originally named Burrville for Aaron Burr, but in 1809, in the wake of Burr’s disgrace, it was renamed Clinton for Thomas Jefferson’s vice president, George Clinton. For the next sixty years the county grew only slowly, the people enduring the hard soil and enjoying the honest pleasures of a simple, almost primitive rural/agricultural lifestyle. The county suffered great turmoil and desolation during the Civil War years. But change came rapidly in the decades following the war. Agriculture resumed prospered. The Mining of coal in the mountains developed into a major industry. Life was hard, with long hours of toil and regular loss of life in cave-ins and other disasters. The coal industry has declined in recent years, but the sturdy descendents of these mineworkers, still living in the old communities, are a living heritage of this demanding way of life. The industry brought growth to Clinton. The railroad from Knoxville to the coal fields reached Clinton in 1869, it provided the town with uncommonly easy ingress and egress for what had been, still, an isolated area. There was general, steady commercial and industrial growth. The face of Anderson County changed in 1934 when the Tennessee Valley Authority, chose a site near Coal Creek to build its first major dam. The project provided thousands of jobs during the heart of the depression. Many families suffered the tragedy of forced evacuation, however the communities were dismantled and moved to make way for the coming reservoir. In 1936, the town of Cola Creek gained the new name of Lake City. The beautiful new town of Norris was established, and a major fishing and recreation lake was formed which laid the foundation for Anderson County water recreation industry. When Oak Ridge was established 1942 drastic change came to Anderson County. At the height of World War II, thousands of construction workers, technicians, and top nuclear physicists were shipped to the huge complex. There were three large plants built, along with administrative buildings, barracks, houses, churches, stores and other facilities. The facilities were not built until the dropping of the atomic bombs in 1945, which brought an end to the war with Japan. The plants in operation in Oak Ridge remained in operation as research and nuclear production centers. Many of the workers stayed on started families and continued the community life. ANDERSON COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME... Anderson County a great place to call home! Anderson County has a number of special assets, which make life here uniquely rich, rewarding and satisfying. The sheer beauty of the area is an asset. Both the natural splendors of the mountains and rivers, and the man made enhancements of the TVA lakes at Norris and Melton Hill. The largest assets of Anderson County is the amazing mix of people who have cam here from various phases of the county’s development and joined together to form a fascinating diverse and stimulating community. Located in the edge of the rugged Cumberland Mountains in East Tennessee, it is easily accessible from three exits along interstate 75 and several highways branching from interstate 40. Anderson County is located at the approximate population center of the United States and with in equidistant, one day’s drive to roughly 76 percent of U.S. populations and markets. The Community is served by one of the best major north/south-east/west transportation corridors in America, including interstates 75,40, and 81. Anderson County is a very unique situation regarding labor. The prevailing background of our work force is mining, timbering, and agriculture. People learn to work early in life and demonstrate one of the highest work ethics in the U.S. The people of Anderson County include farmers, merchants, doctors, lawyers, bankers, salesmen, and others who have built and maintained a prosperous commercial and community life in the various towns around the county. Also numbered among Anderson Countians are scientists and technicians of international distinction, who literally came from all over the world to work at the Oak Ridge plants, often on a temporary basis, and decided to make their home among our beautiful mountains and friendly people. The people are community minded and that community life centers on neighbors, churches, civic clubs, schools, sports, and the arts. Anderson County supports the arts of the community. The traditional Appalachian folk arts are held, with numerous shows and festivals featuring the old style crafts and the traditional fiddle and banjo music. There are many practitioners. The more contemporary forms also enjoy their devotees, and choral drama, dance and the literary groups abound. Oak Ridge supports a local symphony, a ballet, several museums, and a top-flight community theater and other entertainment opportunities. GENERAL INFORMATION Automobile Drivers License – New residents have 30 days after establishing permanent residency to get a Tennessee driver’s license. With a valid license from another state, only a vision test is required. For a first time licenses you must have a certified birth certificate and pass a written, vision, and road tests. For more information call (865) 457-3958 Tags/Registration - Newcomers must obtain Tennessee License plates for their motor vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency. To purchase a license plate, a Tennessee title must be obtained at the County Clerks office in the county where you reside. It is advisable to call ahead to secure the proper information on what papers to bring. For more information call Anderson County Clerk’s Office (865) 457-5400 Banks, Banking Associations
Better Business Bureau... for information on Knoxville, contact the Better Business Bureau at (865) 522-2552. Chamber of Commerce
Climate... Four distinct seasons of moderate temperature provide a temperate climate
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Schools, Colleges, and Education
Telephone Communication, Equipment, Long Distance Service
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Visitors Information
EDUCATION Anderson County school systems rank in the top five in Tennessee and the top ten nationally. The area has the fourth highest concentration of PH.D’s in the U.S. and an abundance of community/industry research facilities. Anderson County has three public school systems. Anderson County Schools are operated by the county, the City of Clinton operates Clinton Schools, and Oak Ridge Schools are operated by the City of Oak Ridge. Each district has a central office headed by a superintendent or director who manages elementary and secondary within the jurisdiction. Anderson County School District is the largest of the three public school systems in the county. There are nine elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools and a vocational/technical center. Special Education staff includes a number of certified teachers, aides, an occupational therapist, physical therapist, audiologist, vision specialist, psychologists, and a homebound instructor. Programs are available for the deaf, hearing impaired, blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, speech, language deficient, developmentally delayed, and the gifted. Career Opportunities in Anderson County Career & Technical Center, primarily serves secondary students from Anderson County High School and Clinton High School. The center is mandated to the goal of education and training of secondary students as well as training and retraining adults for competitive level job skills. Programs that are available include electronics, automotive-related, health care, office technology, cosmetology, marketing, building trades, computerized machining, drafting, and agricultural. After completion of two years of a program students are eligible to enter cooperative employment. Many classes are available in the evening.
Higher Education Roane State Community College has a branch campus in Oak Ridge and a main campus in nearby Roane County. In partnership with Tennessee Technological University, Roane State operates off-campus Centers of Higher Education in Campbell, Cumberland, Loudon, and Scott counties and a Health Sciences Center in Knoxville. Off-campus courses are taught in Morgan, Fentress, and Knox counties. The two-year college offers university parallels programs for transfer to four-year institutions, career preparation programs, and customized programs for business and industry. For more information, (865) 481-2000 or visit Oak Ridge Campus, 545 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Pellissippi State Technical Community College provides two-year college technical education and industrial training. Pellissippi State is only a few minutes south on the Pellissippi Parkway at 10915 Hardin Valley Road. The college offers the Associate of Arts degree, which guarantees admission to the University of Tennessee. For information: (865) 694-6400. State Technology Center at Harriman, a short drive from Oliver Springs on the Harriman Highway (27N), offers adult technological training programs designed to meet the needs of business and industry. For information: (865) 882-6703. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the state's flagship university, is an easy commute. UT is one of America's top 100 research universities with 15 academic colleges and schools and more than 300-degree programs. More than 6,000 students are enrolled in graduate degree programs in many fields. MEDICAL
ANDERSON COUNTY CULTURAL Anderson Community Theatre... The 55-year-old Anderson Community Theatre has a membership of 3,600. Plays that showcase the talents of local residents are presented in ACT's home, the old State Theater in downtown Anderson. Five productions are presented each year including a children's play. Season tickets are available at ACT, 133 E. Whitner St., Anderson.For more information, call 226-0676. Electric City Playhouse... The Electric City Playhouse is celebrating 10 years of service to the community this year. Now located at 514 N. Murray Ave., the playhouse puts on four of its own productions annually as well as additional performances by local actor/comedians and musical talents. The playhouse also conducts a youth workshop in the summer. Ticket prices vary according to age group. For more information, call 224-4248 Foothills Harmony Chorus... The Foothills Harmony Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International and meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Anderson. For more information, contact Pat Graham at (865) 287-3118. Anderson County Symphony Orchestra Association... The Anderson Symphony Orchestra Association is the umbrella organization for the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, the Electric City Swing Band, the Dixielanders, the Anderson Symphonic Winds, The Anderson Girls Choir, and the Anderson Symphonic Chorale. The symphony orchestra averages 50 members who are selected by audition. The ensemble's repertoire ranges from classical works to Sousa marches and musical theater selections. The Electric City Swing Band presents an annual concert of nostalgic and romantic swing music in May. The Dixielanders play New Orleans-style tunes and contemporary jazz, while the Symphonic Winds perform a variety of concert band literature.For more information, call E. Perry Carroll at 224-5508. ANDERSON COUNTY RECREATION Lakefront Park is located on the Clinch River in the heart of Clinton. Facilities include 3 tennis courts, 1 basketball court, fitness area, playground equipment, picnic area, 2 softball fields, and a boat launch. Jaycee Park located on Hwy. 61 next to the National Guard Armory. Facilities include a picnic shelter and picnic area, swimming pool, and playground equipment. South Clinton Park on Highway Drive next to the South Elementary School. The park consists of a walking trail, basketball court, picnic area, picnic shelter, playground equipment, and a soccer field. The Clinton Community Center on Hicks Street nears the Anderson County Courthouse. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool; weight training room; a two court, multi-purpose gymnasium; three multi-purpose rooms; four meeting rooms; a bowling alley, and commercially equipped kitchen. Adjacent to the center is a youth baseball and football field. City of Lake City The Lake City Community Center provides programs for all ages. Senior citizens can participate in the Keen Club and in white-elephant bingo. The Center also offers parenting, gymnastics, and aerobics classes; Weight Watchers programs and classes; dances; and special occasion parties Additional Facilities include elementary and secondary schools athletic fields, which provide basketball, baseball, softball, and football, and men's and women's slo-pitch softball and coed flag football. A lighted walking track can be used at any participant's convenience. City of Oak Ridge The Oak Ridge Civic Center, on Oak Ridge Turnpike, offers an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, multi-purpose meeting rooms, and a commercially equipped kitchen. Adjacent to the center is Bissell Park and a Fitness Trail for walking and jogging. Oak Ridge offers one of the finest rowing facilities in the country. The Oak Ridge Rowing Association can be contacted at (865)482-0400. The Oak Ridge Senior Center offers opportunities for recreation, information, volunteerism, education, health screening, and physical fitness, and provides a meeting place for many community senior citizen organizations and an information source on programs/services available to the elderly. The Center also provides a Senior Nutrition Lunch Program and transportation assistance, and sponsors a Ragtime Band. Oak Ridge city parks include Big Turtle (softball), Bobby Hopkins/Grey Strang (baseball/soccer), Carl Yearwood (softball), Pinewood (softball/soccer), Jefferson Jr. High (soccer, softball, tennis, basketball), and Robertsville Jr. High (softball/soccer). Soccer fields are located at LaSalle and Milt Dickens Parks. Town of Oliver Springs Oliver Springs provides tennis, softball, basketball, soccer, and football facilities at Arrowhead Park, which also has playground equipment for children. ANDERSON COUNTY EVENTS City of Clinton The Clinch River Softball Classic is held the first weekend of June each year at Lakefront and Jaycee Parks and is made up of the area's finest men's softball teams. The July Fourth Fireworks Event is held at Lakefront Park at 10 p.m. each year. The Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America Spring Exhibit is held the first weekend of April at the Clinton Community Center. City of Lake City Lake City holds two big community events for all its citizens. A Fourth of July Parade down Main Street welcomes all former Lake Cities back for a special, community-wide reunion. And at Christmastime, a City of Oak Ridge Oak Ridge's annual Cottontail Parade is traditionally held on Good Friday. The event is for children, fourth-grade and younger. In case of rain, events are moved inside the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The annual Halloween Carnival is traditionally held the Thursday before Halloween at the Civic Center. The Carnival is for fifth-graders and younger; all children under eight must be accompanied by a parent. The Mayfest celebration, co-sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge and the Arts Council of Oak Ridge, includes sporting and cultural events. Mayfest begins May 1 and continues through mid-May at various locations throughout the city. The highlight of Mayfest is the Party in the Park at the Civic Center. This event includes many activities such as arts and entertainment, craft booths, food vendors, and exhibits and displays presented by many local organizations. Baseball Card and Comic Book shows are held in October and in early spring. Fun in the Sun in early August at the Scarboro Community Center includes games, food vendors, crafts, pony rides, and other entertainment. Other special events include a Summer Concert Series at the Performing Arts Pavilion, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a Christmas Crafts show. Town of Oliver Springs The annual Redbud Festival in downtown Oliver Springs includes a craft show, a pretty baby contest, music, and distinguished citizen awards. Sponsored by Oliver Springs merchants, the Festival begins on Easter Sunday and ends the next Saturday. The Norwood Boys Club sponsors a Pig Bowl every year in November, attracting youth football teams from the Southeast Region. The event starts Friday afternoon and continues through Saturday. The main highlight is an around-the-clock barbecue cookout.
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Toll Free 800-747-0713 |
