Fentress County Information - Utilities - Jamestown - Allardt - Fentress County

Fentress County Information:
Fentress County is 498 Square Miles and located on the Cumberland Plateau. Elevation is 1,716 feet above sea level. We have a population of 16,225 (2000 Census Data).
We're 70 miles from Chattanooga, and 45 miles from Cookeville. Knoxville is 90 miles away, less than two hours drive time, and Nashville is just a little over two hours of drive time.
Our climate is moderate, with an annual average temperature of 52.5 degrees. The average high is 68.1 and average low is 33.8. The average precipitation is 50.50 inches, and annual average snowfall is 12 inches. Southwest winds are prevailing, and the mean length of freeze-free period is 180-220 days.

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Utilities:
Electricity is Tennessee Valley Authority. Volunteer Energy Cooperative is the local distributor. A current list of rates for VEC can be found below, or visit www.vec.org The local VEC office is 931-879-5853.

Gas is provided by East Tennessee Natural Gas and distributed locally by Jamestown Natural Gas. There is one fuel oil supplier and 3 suppliers of LP Gas in Fentress County. Current Rates for natural gas can be obtained by calling the City of Jamestown at 931-879-8815.

Water is supplied by the City of Jamestown. Current rates can be obtained by calling 931-879-8815. The source of water is a city lake, and capacity is 3,000,000 MGC. Current consumption is 2,000,000 MGD. There is a storage capacity of 2,500,000 gallons.

Sewer is provided by the City of Jamestown. Current rates can be obtained by calling 931-879-8815. Activated sludge treatment is used, and capacity is 1, 000,000 MGD. Current useage is 400,000 MGD, and city sewer cove is 85%. There is solid waste disposal.

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Jamestown
Before Jamestown, there were springs bubbling from the ground at a crossroads of Indian Trails- Sand Spring, it was called. In 1828 five families lived in Jamestown and four of the names have been handed down to the present. Records from 1834 note 30 houses, 80 inhabitants, 2 lawyers, 2 tanners, 1 hatter, 1 shoemaker, 2 blacksmiths, 1 academy, 1 clergyman, 2 stores, and 2 taverns.

The downtown area centers around the Fentress County Courthouse which was constructed in 1905 to replace the one destroyed by fire in 1904. The oder buildings remaining in this area are the Smith Home which is south of the courthouse, the old Fentress County Jail (now called the Ye Ole Jail) that is located north of the square, and the Johnson Building which now holds several different businesses. The Courthouse, Johnson Building, and Ye Ole Jail are constructed of large native stone, as are many other buildings downtown.

Most retail stores are located in small shopping centers a few blocks from the square, however there are some businesses, shops and eateries in the historic downtown area.

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Allardt
The community of Allardt began in 1881 under the supervision of German land agent Bruno Gernt.

Allardt is the site of the first Boy Scout troop, the first community club (1924), and the first PTA in the county. The first school was built in Allardt in 1883. In 1910, a second one-room school was built. In 1923 a four room school with library, auditorium, and community room was underwritten by Hugo and Arthur Gernt. That same year, a two-year high school was started. High school was taught until 1926 when Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute began operation and school buses were made available. Today, the children of Allardt attend a new elementary school (grades K-8) on the property which borders the site of the first school and includes the lands of the 1923 school.

Allardt also has a number of churches and faiths, including Baptist, Presbyterian, Nazarene, and Catholic.

During the first weekend of October, the City of Allardt puts on the Great Pumpkin Festival and folks from all over come to see the biggest pumpkins, squash, and watermelons. With fireworks, giant pumpkins, quilts, crafts, food, a parade, motocycles and antique cars, you're in for a treat! Festivities start on Friday and end on Sunday.

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Fentress County
Fentress County is growing by leaps and bounds. Many newcomers are moving from more urban areas and the southern coastal states. More and more are coming to appreciate the beauty and serene atmosphere of life on the Plateau, here in Big South Fork Country. Having easy access to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Pickett State Park, and Dale Hollow Lake; residents and visitors alike are enjoying the benefits of "country living". Fentress County is known as the Trail Riding Capitol of the Southeast to the equestrian community with hundreds of acres of trails, overlooks, unique geological formations, and waterfalls. Many horse campgrounds, cabins, and stables are located in the county and in and around the parks.

Although tourism is a huge part of the local economy, agriculture also has its place. The gently rolling land is condusive to cattle and other farm animals and is well watered by creeks and ponds. Poultry is a large portion of the agriculture industry.

Why live in Fentress County?
Fentress County residents enjoy natural beauty of the land, good home cookin' from the local restaurants, and unique shopping in the independently owned stores and shops. Folks here are friendly and helpful. You can wave to ten people on your way to work and not know who they are. But if you find yourself with a flat tire on the side of the road, they'll be sure to stop and help.

Carl Edwards, President of Micro Metals was asked the reason for moving his company to Fentress County in an interview with the Upper Cumberland Business Journal in April 2005. He replied, "Back in 1976, there was a gas shortage, and not just in gasoline for cars abut natural gas too. Our company has to have natural gas to run the furnaces to bake parts, and we saw that Jamestown could provide that need." Edwards also stated that this was close to his family's home.

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