Augustus Hill Garland

Historical marker location:
675 TN 51 S, Covington, Tennessee
( Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 51 and Garland Avenue, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 51.)

(1832 - 1899)

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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.
Tipton County, located in the southwestern part of Tennessee, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Chickasaw and Shawnee, who relied on the fertile land for agriculture and hunting.

The county was established in 1823 and named after Captain Jacob Tipton, a soldier who fought in the Battle of Fallen Timbers during the Northwest Indian War. The early settlers in Tipton County were primarily farmers who took advantage of the rich soil and favorable climate to grow cotton, corn, and other crops. The area quickly prospered, and by the mid-1800s, Tipton County had become a center of commerce and trade.

During the Civil War, Tipton County was a site of significant military activity. Confederate and Union forces both occupied the area at different times, leading to a number of battles and skirmishes. The Battle of Munford in 1863, for example, resulted in a Union victory and marked a turning point in the region's history.

In the post-war years, Tipton County focused on rebuilding and recovering from the devastation of the conflict. The economy gradually diversified, with the rise of industries such as lumber production, railroad construction, and manufacturing. Today, Tipton County remains a thriving community with a mix of agriculture, industry, and residential areas, and it continues to honor its historic roots through museums, landmarks, and events.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Tipton County, Tennessee.

  • 1823 - Tipton County is established on October 29.
  • 1836 - Covington becomes the county seat.
  • 1861-1865 - Tipton County residents fight in the American Civil War.
  • 1878 - The Memphis and Paducah Railroad reaches Covington.
  • 1901 - The Covington Leader newspaper is established.
  • 1937 - The National Guard Armory is built in Covington.
  • 1955 - The Tipton County Museum is established.
  • 1989 - The Mississippi River floods Tipton County.
  • 1996 - Tipton County Fairgrounds opens in Covington.
  • 2002 - The Tipton County Veterans Museum opens in Covington.
  • 2011 - The Tipton County Courthouse undergoes renovations.