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TENNESSEE- Van Buren, TN

 Memories are the Essence of Civilization

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Your help is needed to make this site better for all the people inside and outside of Van Buren County, Tennessee.  We are particularly interested in documenting the history of Van Buren County.  If you have useable information we are anxious to publish it on this site or will provide a link if you have it already posted on the net.  Many thanks.
PHOTOS
County Sign Rock Fish The "Rocky River" Spring by the River
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BICYCLE ROUTES

Bicycle Route   7v.gif (40093 bytes)

Tennessee scenery at its best
Not a route for the timid
If you can't think hills, stay away from this one
Narrow roads with little or no shoulder
Some really tough up-hills
Enough of the bad…
Road stays on side of hills and mountains
Great views across valleys and mountains
Fall leaves will dazzle your senses
Would be a great two day ride with overnight stay in Spencer
This has to be one of most scenic rides in the state
If you can't handle the bicycle, try something with a motor on it!
HIGHWAYS
State Highways:      8, 30, 111, 264, 285, 286
HISTORICAL
Established 1840
Spencer is county seat
State Chanel Catfish Fishing Record

Record catch 41 lbs
Caught Fall Creek Falls

State Bluegill Fishing Record

Record catch 3 lbs
Caught Fall Creek Falls

Great Falls River 1v.gif (59405 bytes)
Great Falls Lake 14v.gif (41397 bytes)
Camp Clements 15v.gif (49684 bytes)
PEOPLE

County named for Martin Van Buren (1782-1862)

Served as a U S Senator from New York
Elected Governor of New York
Appointed Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson
Elected Vice President
Served as President of the United States 1837 to 1841

Bragg's March to Kentucky Historic Sign
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Occurred 1862
Confederate General Braxton Bragg marched toward Kentucky
Accompanied by several thousand soldiers
Purpose was to invade Kentucky
The army camped along east side of Cane Creek
In Battle of Perryville, Ky, 12 soldiers from Van Buren Co were killed
Campaign to invade Kentucky abandoned

HOMES 8v.gif (55339 bytes)
CHURCHES
7th Day Adventist Bellview Community Church Bethlehem Church of Christ Church of God
Cummingsville United Methodist Grain Hill Church & Cemetery Harmony Church of Christ Haston's Chapel Church of God

Built 1956
Church & School founded 1870
Placed on National Historic Register 1984
Highland Church of Christ House of Prayer Laurel Creek Baptist Lonewood Baptist Church of Christ

Established 1843
Established 1935
Mt. Della Church of Christ Mt. Elroy Church of Christ Mt. Elm Baptist Midway Church of Christ
Mooneyham Church of God Mooneyham Free Will Baptist New Martin Church of God No Name Church
No Name Church Pineland Gospel Mission Piney Church of Christ Plainview Free Will Baptist
Sampson Free Will Baptist Shockley Church of Christ Sparkmen Baptist Walling Cemetery & Church

Founded Oct 17, 1930 Building erected 1973
Welchland Baptist White Hill Church of Christ & Cemetery
CEMETERYS
Long Cemetery Hodges Cemetery Gravel Hill Cemetery Myer's Cemetery
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Lonewood Cemetery Gillentine Cemetery Shockley Cemetery
Established 1900
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SCHOOLS
Van Buren Head Start School 24v.gif (41167 bytes)
Post Offices

LOWLAND

Opened: Feb. 15, 1910 |

 Closed: Jan. 31, 1914

MEADE

 Opened: Feb. 20, 1890 Closed: Jan. 15, 1914

MILLS BRANCH

 Opened: June 7, 1855 Closed: Sept. 22, 1866

McELROY

 Opened: April 30, 1879
Re-Opened: June 4, 1904		 Closed: Sept. 29, 1890
Re-Closed: Dec. 1, 1917

OLIO

 Opened: April 8, 1886 Closed: Sept. 18, 1895

PAINVILLE

 Opened: March 17, 1887
Re-Opened: Dec. 11, 1903		 Closed: Aug. 24, 1828
Re-Closed: Aug. 31, 1903

RIVER HILL

 Opened: Oct. 7, 1846 Closed: Nov. 11, 1847

ROCK ISLAND

 Opened: Feb. 17, 1870 Closed: March 15, 1871

ROCKY RIVER

 Opened: June 14, 1870
Re-Opened: March 12, 1924		 Closed: Nov. 10, 1897
Re-Closed: Dec. 31, 1940

SAND SPRINGS

 Opened: April 24, 1906 Closed: July 17, 1906

SOPHA

 Opened: Oct. 26, 1888 Closed: Oct. 30, 1912

SOUTH ROCK ISLAND

 Opened: Dec. 22, 1858
Re-Opened: Jan. 25, 1860		 Closed: Sept. 27, 1859
Re-Closed: Feb. 17, 1870

SPARKMAN

 Opened: Sept. 17, 1878 Closed: Aug. 14, 1920

SPENCER

 Opened: July 8, 1840 Closed: Operating

SWEETGUM

 Opened: May 16, 1887 Closed: Sept. 30, 1915
PARKS
Cedar Grove Community Center Bone Cave Community Center Sparkman Community Center
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Fall Creek Falls Community Center Rock River Community Center
Ball Field 		Fall Creek Falls State Park Sign
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Fall Creek Falls State Park  

Rt 3
Pikeville
Located off Hwy 111 and Hwy 30,
11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville
16,800 acre park
Established in the 1930's
Includes a 345 acre lake
Largest state park in Tennessee
Largest falls drops 256 feet
The area was home site for Gilbert Gaul, renowned Civil War painter

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Cabins (20)
Resort Inn (73 rooms)
Group Lodge (144 persons)
Group Camp (240 persons)
Restaurant (seats 300)
RV Parking (227 sites)
Hook-ups
Electric
Water
Dump Station
Laundry
Restrooms
Showers
Back Country Camping
GOLF (On site)
Course
18 Holes- Yards

INDOOR ACTIVITIES:

Camp Store
Gift Shop
Ping Pong
Pool
Snack Bar
Visitor Center

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

Badminton
Baseball/Softball Field
Basketball Court
Bicycling
Protected Roads
Trails (3 mile paved trail)
Rentals
Frisbee Golf
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horse Rentals
Horseshoes
Picnic Area
Planned Activities
Playground
Tennis Courts
Lighted
Volleyball
Walk/Jog Trail

WATER ACTIVITIES:

Boat Dock
Boat Rental
Canoeing
Fishing
Swimming-Outdoor Pool

SPECIAL DAYS
Spring Wildflower Hikes Easter, Fall Creek Falls State Park
Fourth of July Celebration July 4th, Fall Creek Falls State Park
Fall Color Weekend Mid Oct., Fall Creek Falls State Park
Mountaineer Folk Festival

Sept Fall Creek Falls State Park
Second weekend in September
Christmas Celebrations Dec., Fall Creek Falls State Park
Wild Foods Day Fall Creek Falls State Park
Van Buren Homecoming Sign 61V.gif (32961 bytes)
STATISTICS
SIZE
Square Miles: 274
POPULATION
1870 2,725
1880 2,933
1890 2,863
1900 3,126
1910 2,624
1920 2,784
1930 3,516
1940 4,090
1950 3,985
1960 3,671
1970 3,758
1980 4,728

 

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