National Register Listings in Chester County, Tennessee
Tennessee is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States. The park covers over 500,000 acres and attracts millions of visitors each year.
About Chester County
Chester County Timeline
Chester County is located in the southwestern portion of the state of Tennessee, USA. It was named after Colonel Robert I. Chester, a soldier who fought in the Creek War and was killed in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814. The county was officially established in 1879, carved out from neighboring Hardeman, Henderson, and Madison counties. The county seat is the city of Henderson, which was also founded in the same year as the county.
The early settlers of Chester County were primarily of English, Scottish, and Irish descent. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Chickasaw, but they were gradually displaced by European settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Agriculture played a significant role in the county's history, with cotton being the main cash crop during the antebellum period. The fertile land and mild climate of Chester County made it ideal for cotton cultivation, and the county experienced a boom in cotton production in the 19th century.
During the American Civil War, Chester County, like many other areas in Tennessee, was deeply divided. Although Tennessee seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy, there were significant pockets of Unionist sentiment in the region. The county saw numerous skirmishes and raids by both Confederate and Union forces throughout the war. After the war, Chester County experienced a period of recovery and slowly rebuilt its economy, with a shift towards a more diversified agricultural base that included livestock, tobacco, and timber.
In the 20th century, Chester County underwent further economic development, with the expansion of its transportation infrastructure and industrial growth. The construction of highways and railroads in the county improved connectivity and facilitated trade. Industries such as manufacturing, furniture production, and textiles became important employers in the area. Today, Chester County continues to thrive as a rural community with a strong agricultural base, while also embracing new industries and opportunities for growth.
The early settlers of Chester County were primarily of English, Scottish, and Irish descent. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Chickasaw, but they were gradually displaced by European settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Agriculture played a significant role in the county's history, with cotton being the main cash crop during the antebellum period. The fertile land and mild climate of Chester County made it ideal for cotton cultivation, and the county experienced a boom in cotton production in the 19th century.
During the American Civil War, Chester County, like many other areas in Tennessee, was deeply divided. Although Tennessee seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy, there were significant pockets of Unionist sentiment in the region. The county saw numerous skirmishes and raids by both Confederate and Union forces throughout the war. After the war, Chester County experienced a period of recovery and slowly rebuilt its economy, with a shift towards a more diversified agricultural base that included livestock, tobacco, and timber.
In the 20th century, Chester County underwent further economic development, with the expansion of its transportation infrastructure and industrial growth. The construction of highways and railroads in the county improved connectivity and facilitated trade. Industries such as manufacturing, furniture production, and textiles became important employers in the area. Today, Chester County continues to thrive as a rural community with a strong agricultural base, while also embracing new industries and opportunities for growth.
Chester County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Chester County, Tennessee.
- 1807 - Chester County is established as a county in the state of Tennessee.
- 1824 - The town of Henderson is founded as the county seat of Chester County.
- 1851 - The first railroad, the Mississippi Central Railroad, reaches Henderson.
- 1861-1865 - Chester County, like the rest of Tennessee, is heavily impacted by the American Civil War.
- 1870 - The population of Chester County reaches over 10,000.
- 1882 - Henderson is officially incorporated as a city.
- 1900s - Agriculture remains the dominant industry in the county, with cotton being a major crop.
- 1950s - The population of Chester County begins to decline as residents move to urban areas.
- 1968 - Freed-Hardeman University, a private Christian university, is established in Henderson.
- 1985 - The Chester County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1990s - The county experiences a slight population increase due to growth in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
- 2003-2005 - Chester County is impacted by a series of tornadoes, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure.