History of Bartlett,
Tennessee
Formerly
Union Depot "Stagecoach Stop"
Bartlett, located in Shelby
County, is in southwest Tennessee adjacent to Memphis. It is the
geographic center of Shelby County located along Highways 64, 70/79 and is
served by Interstate 40 which connects with Interstates 240 and 55. The
City of Bartlett is 18.5 square miles and is made up largely of
middle-to-upper income families.
The City of Bartlett had its
origin as Union Depot along the stagecoach route from Nashville. When the
Memphis & Ohio Railroad took the place of the stages, Bartlett continued
as a depot. In 1866, with a population of less than 100, the City was
officially incorporated and the name changed to Bartlett. It was named for
Major Gabriel M. Bartlett, a physician and planter whose estate was one of
five major plantations on Stage Road.
In 1855 the first school,
Blackwell School, was chartered and by 1887 had an enrollment of 100 when
the population of the city was only 300. In 1919 each citizen spent eight
days per year at manual labor to build and repair the roads. This public
service remains through the years as citizens voluntarily perform numerous
jobs for the City even today. In 1993 the Bartlett High School FFA built
an authentic replica of an 1860 stagecoach for the Bartlett Area Chamber
of Commerce, bringing together business, education and history to create a
working symbol of the pioneer spirit that Bartlett embodies from its
original days.
The population grew slowly during
the first half of the 20th century, reaching 508 by 1960 and doubling in
the next decade to 1,150. During the 1970's the population increased 1400%
through growth and annexation, reaching 17,300 by 1980. The 1980's brought
continued residential growth and an increase in business and industry to
provide employment locally for new workers entering the labor force and
for those workers who prefer to "stay in Bartlett". To establish an
industrial base, in 1983 the City of Bartlett purchased and developed 100
acres of land on Highway 64 which is now Bartlett Corporate Park. By the
end of 1986 all the land in the Park had been purchased, bringing eight
new industries into Bartlett. Bartlett Corporate Park East has continued
the expansion of industries, which totals 34 to date.
Industrial growth in the 1990's
has continued to bring new companies to the corporate parks, including the
USDA Cotton Classing Division. Four new shopping centers have brought many
new retail and service businesses. Residential growth averages 5% per
year, and a reserve annexation area gives Bartlett room to expand as it
grows. The newly constructed Appling Municipal Center which includes a
middle school, a justice complex, a performing arts center and a second
community center.
Recreation is important to
Bartlett citizens. There are fourteen neighborhood parks providing youth
and adults activities throughout the year. A former school was renovated
and converted into Singleton Community Center, with the majority of work
and materials donated by citizens and civic organizations in Bartlett. A
gymnasium was added in 1986. A public golf course and clubhouse opened in
1994.
Bartlett continues to maintain a
small town atmosphere though its population is growing. The business
district along Stage Road has an old-fashioned flavor, and the corporate
parks on the eastern edge of the City are separate from the residential
areas. Bartlett offers its citizens the best of both worlds - a small town
in a metropolitan area.
The Gotten House Museum, located
at 2969 Court Street, was built by Nicholas Gotten in 1871 and restored by
the Bartlett Historical Society. Artifacts, photographs, period furniture
and written files on the history of Bartlett are on display. It is open
the first and third Sundays from 2-4 p.m. with free admission.
source info
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Gotten House - National Historic Register |
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Nicholas Gotten historical sign |
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double click to enlarge thumbnails
This page last updated on
01/12/2007
