National Register Listing

Bledsoe County Jail

128 Frazier St., Pikeville, TN
Local significance of the building:
Politics/government

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

politics government jails and prisons
Tennessee was the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan, a notorious white supremacist organization that terrorized African Americans and other minority groups throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The group was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1865.
Tennessee random facts
Bledsoe County, TN has a rich and diverse history that stretches back to its early settlement days. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Cherokee and Creek, who used the rolling hills and fertile valleys for hunting and gathering. In the late 18th century, European settlers began to arrive in the region, with the first permanent settlement established in 1807.

During the early years of settlement, Bledsoe County was mainly an agricultural community, with farms specializing in crops like corn, wheat, and tobacco. The county was named after Anthony Bledsoe, a prominent settler and military leader who was killed in an Indian attack in 1788. The county continued to grow and develop throughout the 19th century, with the construction of roads and schools improving the quality of life for its residents.

In the mid-19th century, Bledsoe County played a role in the Civil War. Although it remained neutral at the beginning of the conflict, the county eventually joined the Confederacy and provided soldiers to the Confederate Army. The war brought about significant changes in the area, with many farms and properties destroyed or damaged.

After the Civil War, Bledsoe County rebuilt its economy and infrastructure. The introduction of railroads in the late 19th century opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce, leading to further growth in the county. Today, Bledsoe County preserves its rich history through museums and historical sites, while also embracing a modern economy that includes industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bledsoe County, Tennessee.

  • 1807: Bledsoe County is established by the Tennessee General Assembly.
  • 1835: The county's first courthouse is built.
  • 1861-1865: Bledsoe County residents participate in the American Civil War.
  • 1875: The town of Pikeville is incorporated.
  • 1899: The advent of the railroad boosts the area's economy.
  • 1925: The Bledsoe County High School is established.
  • 1963: The Tennessee Valley Authority completes the construction of the Fall Creek Falls Dam.
  • 1982: The Fall Creek Falls State Park is officially opened.
  • 2011: The tornado outbreak damages several areas in Bledsoe County.