Gallatin is a city in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States. At the 2000
census, the population was 23,230. The city, named for U.S. Secretary
of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, was established and made the county seat of Sumner County6 in 1802.
Several national companies have facilities or headquarters in Gallatin, including GAP,
Inc., RR Donnelley, and Servpro. Gallatin was formerly the headquarters of
Dot Records. The city is also home to Volunteer State Community College, the largest 2-year college in the state.
On April 7, 2006, a tornado struck the city, killing nine
people and injuring 150. Volunteer State Community College sustained major damage. This tornado was part of the April 6-8, 2006 Tornado Outbreak.
History
The second oldest county in Middle Tennessee, Sumner County was created by
an act of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina in November
1786. The county was named for Revolutionary War
soldier Colonel Jethro Sumner. Gallatin
was established in 1802 as the permanent county seat. The town
was named after Albert Gallatin, Secretary of Treasury to Presidents Thomas
Jefferson and James Madison. Andrew Jackson
became one of the first to purchase a lot when the town was surveyed and platted in 1803. He also
founded the first general store in Gallatin.[1] That same year, the first courthouse and jail were built. In 1815, the town was first incorporated and would later function under a Charter established by a 1953 Private Act of the State Legislature. The town was built around an open square.
At the beginning of the Civil War, the citizens of Gallatin were mostly opposed to
secession from the Union. Eventually, the citizens placed their nearly
unanimous support in the Confederacy. When fighting began in April
1861, soldiers from Sumner County began joining ranks.
The Union Army first captured Gallatin in February 1862. In July, General John Hunt Morgan recaptured Gallatin and held
it until Confederate forces fell back to Chattanooga.
In November 1862 Union General John Payne took over the town again and Union troops occupied it until the end of the war. The
Union commander was notoriously cruel. In her diary, 16-year-old Alice Williamson told about his execution of suspected spies in
the town square. The long occupation drained the area of resources, as Union troops lived off the land, confiscating livestock
and crops from area farms. By the end of the war, there was widespread social and economic breakdown and dislocation, as could be
seen by the neglect and deterioration of fences. Occupational forces stayed in Gallatin after the war.
As in many other areas of Sumner County, in the aftermath of fighting, freedpeople migrated from farms into town to gather in
community and escape some white control. Many whites moved from town out to farms. The area needed years to get reestablished.
[2]
Upon the departure of Union troops, there was a rise in violence. People in the area, especially African Americans, suffered
from Ku Klux Klan and related militia activity as whites tried to reassert their power over African Americans.
In 1873 the town was devastated by an epidemic of cholera. In the month of June alone, 68 people died, including numerous
children.
Gradually through the 19th century the town and surroundings regained some steady growth.
The area was primarily agricultural until mid-century. By 1970, industrialization resulted in only half of the county population being considered rural. In 1992,
Gallatin was surpassed by Hendersonville as the largest town in the county,
though Gallatin ramains the county seat.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 58.2 km² (22.5 mi²). 56.9 km² (22.0 mi²) of it
is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (2.18%) is water. Gallatin has variety of natural landscapes: open fields, forests, hills,
and lakes. The city is located on Station Camp Creek, three miles north of the Cumberland River, which was the chief route of
transportation in the county's early years of settlement.
Old Hickory Lake, a man-made lake, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is located south of the city.
Climate
High temperatures average 49°F during the winter months, 69°F in spring, 88°F in summer, and 72°F in fall. The coolest month
is January, and July is the warmest. The lowest recorded temperature was -20°F in 1985. The highest recorded temperature was
106°F in 2007. The maximum average precipitation occurs in March.[3]
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 23,230 people, 8,963 households, and 6,193 families residing
in the city. The population density was 1,057.3/mi² (408.2/km²). There were 9,600
housing units at an average density of 436.9/mi² (168.7/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 78.30% White, 17.57%
African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.02% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.
There were 8,963 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were
non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or
older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city, the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from
45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,696, and the median income
for a family was $41,899. Males had a median income of $30,620 versus $22,696 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,550. About 10.8% of families and 14.4% of the population were
below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age
65 or over.
Economy
As of May 2007, the unemployment rate in Sumner County was 3.8%, which is 0.7% below the national rate of 4.5%. The total
number of workers in the county was 79,620.[1]
The top four major employers in Gallatin, in order, are GAP, Inc., Sumner Regional
Medical Center, Volunteer State Community College, and
RR Donnelley. Gap employs 1,250 workers, making it the largest employer in the city.
Arts and culture
Gallatin has a modern 10-screen theater, NCG Gallatin Cinema, and a completely restored
single-screen theater, called The Palace, built in 1908. There is also a public city library.
Annual events include the Sumner County Fair, held during the last week of August, the Gallatin Christmas Parade, and a Fall
Festival held on the square.
Museums and other points of interest
The Sumner County Museum in Gallatin houses a number of artifacts of historical significance to the city and the county.
The city has several architecturally significant buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These homes, which have been restored and are
open to the public, are Cragfont, Rose
Mont, and Trousdale Place.
Parks and recreation
Parks
Gallatin has six parks that allow for various sports and activities, including: baseball, basketball, beach
volleyball, disc golf, fishing, football, horseshoes, skateboarding, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, walking, and volleyball. These parks are:
- Clearview Park
- Lock 4 Park
- Municipal Park
- Rogers Field
- Thompson Park
- Triple Creek Park
Old Hickory Lake is also available for boating, fishing, swimming, and related activities.
Recreation
Gallatin offers Little League Baseball with the Kiwanis
Club and the American Legion. Tee Ball, Senior
League Baseball, and slow-pitch girls' softball leagues are also present. Basketball, football, tennis, and soccer leagues are
also available for various ages.
The Gallatin Civic Center has a swimming pool, a running/walking track,
racquetball courts, and basketball courts.
Gallatin is home to three golf courses:
- Long Hollow Golf Club - a public, 18-hole course built in 1983
- Gallatin Country Club - a private, 9-hole course built in 1948
- The Club at Fairview - a private, 18-hole course built in 2004
Government
Gallatin has a Mayor-Council government (Weak Mayor Form). The
City Council is made up of seven elected officials, from five council districts within the
city limits, with two of the members being elected as Council At Large members. Of these seven council members, one is elected,
by members of the council, as Vice-Mayor. Meetings are presided over by the Mayor, who is elected
by citizens.
The City Recorder/City Judge is entrusted with two major functions: administering the city judicial system and maintaining vital city records, billing, and licensing services. These services include
collecting city property taxes, ensuring liquor store compliance, and issuing taxi-cab and
beer permits. City residents can pay utility bills, purchase city trash cans, apply for property tax rebates and city business
licenses at the City Recorder/City Judge office.
The City Attorney oversees, prepares, reviews, and interprets ordinances, resolutions, and contracts; provides legal support
to the Mayor, City Council, staff, boards, and committees; and manages litigation in which the City may be involved. Periodic
updating of the Gallatin Municipal Code, published by the Municipal Code Corporation, is coordinated by the City Attorney. The
Municipal Code includes the City Charter, as well as other City ordinances which are permanent.
Education
Board of Education
Gallatin's schools are governed by the Sumner County Board of Education. The twelve-member
group consists of eleven elected representatives from each of the eleven educational districts in the county, as well as the
Director of Schools, Benny Bills. The members serve staggered four-year terms; the Director serves under contract with the Board
of Education. The board conducts monthly meetings that are open to the public. The school system’s General Purpose School Fund
budget during the 2006-07 school year was approximately $153.5 million.[1]
The county-wide school system consists of approximately 2,000 teacher-licensed employees and approximately 1,800 non-teacher
employees. The system has more than 170 bus routes which cover more than 5,000 miles per day. The floor space in all of the
county's schools totals more than 100 acres. Total enrollment, as of September 2006, was 26,111 students.[4]
Schools
Elementary schools (K-5)
- Benny Bills Elementary School
- Guild Elementary School (also pre-K)
- Howard Elementary School (also pre-K)
- Union Elementary School (year-round school)
- Vena Stuart Elementary School
Middle schools (6-8)
- Knox Doss Middle School
- Rucker-Stewart Middle School
- Shafer Middle School
High schools (9-12)
|
Alternative schools
- RT Fischer Alternative School (K-12)
Private schools
- Saint John Vianney Catholic Elementary School (pre-K-8)
- Southside Christian School (K-12)
- Sumner Academy (pre-K-8)
Colleges
|
Media
Print
Two local newspapers cover events in Gallatin: The Gallatin News Examiner, published
three times weekly, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with a supplement included with The Tennessean on Sunday, and The
Gallatin Newspaper, published on Friday.
Radio/television
Gallatin received its first local radio station in August 1948 when WHIN 1010 AM, went on the air. Owned at one time by record mogul Randy Wood,
the station still serves Sumner County with country music, local sports, and coverage of NASCAR racing. WHIN was joined by an
FM staion in December 1960 when 104.5 came on the air. The FM station has broadcast
under many call letters, but probably its most famous days were in the late 1970s and 1980s when it was known as KX (pronounced
Kicks) 104, a popular music station that battled with Nashville stations for top listenership. During that time the
station was owned by Ron Bledsoe, who for years had commanded CBS Records in Nashville, and was a former employee of the station
in his younger years.
Volunteer State Community College operates a radio and television station. The student-run radio station, WVCP, broadcasts on
88.5 MHz FM, and plays music of various formats. Their television station is broadcast on Comcast Cable channel 19. The channel
displays local announcements related to the college and the Gallatin/Sumner County area. The audio portion of the channel is a
simulcast of their radio station. The channel also airs educational programs, usually at high
school or college levels. Gallatin City Council meetings, Sumner County School Board meetings, and Sumner County Commission
meetings are also broadcast by the station.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Major roadways leading in and out of Gallatin include TN Tennessee State Route 386 "Vietnam Veterans Boulevard,"
U.S. Highway 31E, and Tennessee State Route
109. U.S. 31E, also know as "Nashville Pike" or "Gallatin Road," is the main thoroughfare through town.
The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) provides
daily bus service from Gallatin to downtown Nashville, with stops along the way.
The Sumner County Municipal Airport provides air transportation in and out of Gallatin. The facility is equipped with one
5,000 foot runway with a 1,000 grass overrun. It also provides fueling and maintenance services.[5]
The Regional Transportation Authority has future plans to expand the current Music City
Star commuter railway to include a line running between Gallatin
and Nashville, with a stop in Hendersonville.
Healthcare
Sumner Regional Medical Center is a hospital located in Gallatin. It has an emergency room, a nationally recognized cancer-treatment program, a wound care center, a cardiac
catheterization lab, and a diagnostic sleep center. The staff can also perform digital mammography, interventional cardiology,
neurosurgery, computerized knee replacement surgery, and pet therapy, among other procedures.
The Gallatin Health Department, with two locations, provides women and children's services, flu shots, special needs services,
testing for sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis, family planning, and immunizations. The department also inspects
restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, day care centers, schools, and other public facilities where food is served, to ensure proper
sanitation. Additionally, it is responsible for investigating animal bites, rabies, and other animal-related diseases.
A new, state-of-the-art multi-use medical building, called Sumner Station, is expected to be opened in January 2008. The
complex will house a fitness and wellness center, primary and specialty medical offices, outpatient rehabilitation services, and
an outpatient diagnostic center.
Notable natives and residents
Natives
Residents
- William Trousdale (1790–1872), Governor of Tennessee from 1849 to 1851.
- Randy Wood (1918-d), founder of Dot Records
- Bob Tillman (1937-2000), baseball catcher for the Boston Red Sox (1962-67), New York
Yankees (1967), and Atlanta Braves (1968-70)
- Reba McEntire (born 1955), country music singer and actress
- Kimberley Locke (born 1978), adult contemporary pop/R&B singer
References
- Sumner County Fact Book 2007-2008. The News Examiner & The Hendersonville Star News. 2007.
External links
Coordinates:
36.38137° N 86.451315°
W
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