National Register Listing

Lauderdale County Courthouse

Town Sq., Ripley, TN
Local significance of the building:
Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

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.

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Audiobooks about the history of Tennessee.
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
Lauderdale County, located in western Tennessee, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Chickasaw, who hunted and traded in the region. European exploration and settlement began in the late 18th century, with the area becoming part of the newly formed state of Tennessee in 1796.

During the 19th century, Lauderdale County experienced significant growth and development. The town of Ripley, the county seat, was established in 1836 and quickly became a thriving center of trade and commerce. The county's fertile land attracted settlers, leading to the rise of cotton plantations and the emergence of a slave-based economy. The county played a major role in the cotton industry, with plantations and farms dotting the landscape.

Lauderdale County also played a role in the American Civil War. It was the site of several skirmishes and military actions, including the Battle of Fort Pillow in 1864. This battle, which was a significant Confederate victory, gained notoriety due to reports of a massacre of Union soldiers, many of whom were African American. The county and its residents were heavily impacted by the war, facing economic devastation and social upheaval in its aftermath.

In the years following the Civil War, Lauderdale County slowly rebuilt and adapted to changing times. The decline of the cotton industry and the abolition of slavery led to shifts in the economy and society. Agriculture diversified, and industries such as manufacturing and timber emerged. Today, Lauderdale County is a vibrant community with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and residential areas, preserving its rich history while looking towards the future.

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

  • 1835: Lauderdale County is established on November 24.
  • 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Lauderdale County is heavily impacted and sees battles and military occupation.
  • 1866: The first railroad, the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, is completed, connecting Lauderdale County to the rest of the state.
  • 1878: Halls becomes the county seat of Lauderdale County.
  • 1912: The Forked Deer River is diverted for navigation purposes, improving transportation in the county.
  • 1930s-1940s: The Great Depression and World War II bring economic challenges to Lauderdale County.
  • 1949: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) establishes the Halls High School fish hatchery to support initial lake and river stocking operations.
  • 1950s-1960s: The civil rights movement impacts Lauderdale County, with activists advocating for desegregation and equal rights.
  • 1970s-1990s: Industrial growth and agricultural modernization contribute to the economic development of Lauderdale County.
  • 2010: The population of Lauderdale County reaches 27,815 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.