Winchester, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Winchester is a city in and the county seat
of Franklin County
, Tennessee
, United States
. It is part of the Tullahoma, Tennessee
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
, a soldier in the American Revolution
, first Speaker of the Tennessee Legislature, and a Brigadier General in the War of 1812
. The Mary Sharp College
(originally the Tennessee and Alabama Female Institute) was founded in 1851 by Dr. Z. C. Graves and the Baptist Church. Though a women's college
, it offered a classical curriculum based upon what was being offered at the time by Amherst College
, Brown University
, and the University of Virginia
. It closed in 1896. http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=M023
The city was occupied first by Confederate and then by Union troops during the Civil War
. It lay on the line of retreat to Chattanooga
followed by the Confederate Army of Tennessee during the campaign of 1863.
Recreation in Winchester received a significant boost when the Tennessee Valley Authority
started construction of the Tims Ford Dam along the Elk River
in 1966. The project was complete in 1972 and Tims Ford Lake
is now known for excellent boating
and bass fishing
opportunities.
The city hosts an annual Dogwood
Festival each April.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.7 square miles (27.7 km²), of which, 10 square miles (25.9 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (6.47%) is water.
of 2000, there were 7,329 people, 2,992 households, and 2,013 families residing in the city. The population density
was 734.6 people per square mile (283.5/km²). There were 3,318 housing units at an average density of 332.6 per square mile (128.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.51% White, 12.35% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.
There were 2,992 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $41,183. Males had a median income of $31,959 versus $21,629 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,533. About 13.3% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
Three natives of the city have been formally honored by the British Crown:
Winchester was also the birthplace of:
In addition, President Andrew Jackson
once owned considerable property in the town.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Franklin County
Franklin County, Tennessee
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 41,052. Its county seat is Winchester.Franklin County is part of the Tullahoma, Tennessee, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Tullahoma, Tennessee
Tullahoma, Tennessee
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 18,655 people, 7,717 households, and 5,161 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.1% White, 7.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Tullahoma micropolitan area
The Tullahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in central Tennessee, anchored by the city of Tullahoma....
.
History
Winchester was created as the seat of justice for Franklin County by act of the Tennessee Legislature on November 22, 1809. The town is named for James WinchesterJames Winchester
James Winchester was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a brigadier general during the War of 1812. He commanded the American forces at the Battle of Frenchtown, which led to the Massacre of the River Raisin....
, a soldier in the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, first Speaker of the Tennessee Legislature, and a Brigadier General in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The Mary Sharp College
Mary Sharp College
Mary Sharp College , first known as the Tennessee and Alabama Female Institute, was a women's college, located in Winchester, Tennessee. It was named after the abolitionist Mary Sharp....
(originally the Tennessee and Alabama Female Institute) was founded in 1851 by Dr. Z. C. Graves and the Baptist Church. Though a women's college
Timeline of women's colleges in the United States
The following is a timeline of women's colleges in the United States. These are institutions of higher education in the United States whose student populations are comprised exclusively or almost exclusively of women. They are often liberal arts colleges...
, it offered a classical curriculum based upon what was being offered at the time by Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
, Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, and the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. It closed in 1896. http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=M023
The city was occupied first by Confederate and then by Union troops during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It lay on the line of retreat to Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
followed by the Confederate Army of Tennessee during the campaign of 1863.
Recreation in Winchester received a significant boost when the Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Valley Authority
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a federally owned corporation in the United States created by congressional charter in May 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly affected...
started construction of the Tims Ford Dam along the Elk River
Elk River (Tennessee)
The Elk River is a tributary of the Tennessee River in the U.S. states of Tennessee and Alabama. The river is about long altogther.-Hydrography:...
in 1966. The project was complete in 1972 and Tims Ford Lake
Tims Ford Lake
Tims Ford Lake is a reservoir run by the Tennessee Valley Authority in southern middle Tennessee....
is now known for excellent boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
and bass fishing
Bass fishing
Bass fishing is the activity of angling for the North American gamefish known colloquially as the black bass. There are numerous black bass species considered as gamefish in North America, including largemouth bass , smallmouth bass , Spotted bass or Kentucky bass , Guadalupe bass Bass fishing is...
opportunities.
The city hosts an annual Dogwood
Dogwood
The genus Cornus is a group of about 30-60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods. Most dogwoods are deciduous trees or shrubs, but a few species are nearly herbaceous perennial subshrubs, and a few of the woody species are evergreen...
Festival each April.
Geography
Winchester is located at 35°11′18"N 86°6′45"W (35.188390, -86.112525).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 10.7 square miles (27.7 km²), of which, 10 square miles (25.9 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (6.47%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,329 people, 2,992 households, and 2,013 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 734.6 people per square mile (283.5/km²). There were 3,318 housing units at an average density of 332.6 per square mile (128.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.51% White, 12.35% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.
There were 2,992 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $41,183. Males had a median income of $31,959 versus $21,629 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,533. About 13.3% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
Notable citizens of Winchester have included four governors of Tennessee:- Albert Smith Marks
- Isham G. HarrisIsham G. HarrisIsham Green Harris was an American politician. He served as Governor of Tennessee from 1857 to 1862 and as a U.S. Senator from 1877 until his death....
- Peter TurneyPeter TurneyPeter Turney was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1893 to 1897.- Biography :Prior to becoming governor, Turney was a prominent attorney in Winchester, Tennessee, practicing law with his father, and a Confederate colonel in the Civil War...
- Henry Horton
Three natives of the city have been formally honored by the British Crown:
- Sir John TempletonJohn TempletonSir John Marks Templeton was an American-born British stock investor, businessman and philanthropist.-Biography:...
, financierFinancierFinancier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
and philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes... - Sir Francis Joseph Campbell (1832–1914), anti-slavery campaigner and pioneer in educating the blindBlindnessBlindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
- Lady Ida Beasly ElliottLady Ida Beasly ElliottLady Ida Beasley Elliott was a missionary to Burma and one of the first women to own a business in Winchester, Tennessee. Because of her work in Burma, Queen Victoria damed Ida Beasley Elliott....
(1864–1948), missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in Burma
Winchester was also the birthplace of:
- Reuben DavisReuben Davis (representative)Reuben Davis was a United States Representative from Mississippi. He was born in Winchester, Tennessee into a family of Welsh origin and moved with his parents to Alabama about 1818. His grandfather Joseph Davis was born in Wales in 1763 and emigrated to Virginia. Reuben Davis attended the...
, a United States Representative from MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi... - Mike FarrisMike Farris (musician)Mike Farris is an American musician. He was the founder and lead singer of Nashville, Tennessee group Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, but has been a solo act since 2001. He has put out 2 studio releases as well as a one live record as Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue as well as a charity EP...
, recording artist, formerly of the Screamin' Cheetah WheeliesScreamin' Cheetah WheeliesScreamin' Cheetah Wheelies are a band from Nashville, Tennessee which formed in the early 1990s. The band embraced a southern boogie style which led to comparisons with groups such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Collective Soul, and Cry of Love. The band played at a... - Phillip FulmerPhillip FulmerPhillip Fulmer is a TV college football analyst and the former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, who compiled a 152–52 record from 1992–2008 as head coach, but was fired during a 5–7 season in 2008...
, Former University of TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach - Tracy HayworthTracy HayworthTracy Keith Hayworth is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee....
, Detroit Lions football player - Dinah ShoreDinah ShoreDinah Shore was an American singer, actress, and television personality...
, singer and TV personality
In addition, President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
once owned considerable property in the town.