Macon County Courthouse in Lafayette, Tennessee
Motto: You Doin' Alright Today?
Lafayette /ləˈfeɪ.ɨt/ is a city in Macon County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 3,885 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Macon County.
There are still many roadways within Macon County that are gravel based and bridges are not present when arriving upon streams. Several foot bridges still exist leading to homes that have been family owned for generations. Tobacco is the cash crop and tobacco warehouses from a long ago era still exist.
A co-branded KFC and Long John Silvers in Lafayette, TN
2008 Tornado
Main article: 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak
On February 5, 2008 at approximately 10:20 p.m., an EF3 tornado touched down in Lafayette and stayed on the ground with a width of approximately 3/4 mile and traveled for nearly 21 miles (34 km), crossing the county in a northeastern direction. The county was devastated by the twister and a total of 14 people were confirmed dead. Macon County was not equipped with tornado warning sirens; despite the efforts of the local news media and the National Weather Service, many residents were unprepared.
This tornado nearly wiped out whole roads including Doublewide LN and Akersville RD. The
people in the areas affected were killed or badly injured.
Some areas still have visible damage.
Economy
The Lafayette and Macon County area is a rural area and its economy mainly relies on the agricultural sector. Macon County is time and again one of the top producers of burley tobacco in Tennessee and the United States. The production of hardwood lumber is also an important industry in the county. There are two local banks with their main offices located in Lafayette. The oldest is Citizens Bank, founded in 1909, and has ten locations in Macon County and surrounding areas. Macon Bank & Trust Co. was founded in 1919 and has seven locations in the area.
Lafayette is home to a few industries. The largest manufacturers in the area are Fleetwood Homes, which is a division of Cavco Industries, Inc., and Tennplasco, which is a division of Manar, Inc.
Recreation
Parks
Lafayette has two community parks:
Key Park: Located on Church Street and includes picnic facilities, a playground, a bandstand, walking tracks and Key Park Log House. The Farmer's Market also sets up shop here.
Lafayette City Park: Located on Days Road and includes picnic facilities, a playground, a swimming pool, a volleyball court, tennis courts and a baseball field.
Golf
Lafayette has one golf course:
Macon County Golf Course: semi-private, nine-hole course
Education
Lafayette is home to several schools which are run by the Macon County Board of Education. Macon County High School is the high school located in Lafayette, home of the Tigers and Tigerettes. Founded in 1927 the first graduating class consisted of 4 graduates. Today Macon County High consists of 480 male students, 403 female, of the 883 students breakdown is as follows:21 Hispanic/Latino students, 1 Asian student, and 1 black/African American student. 860 white/Caucasian students.
Public Schools
Central Elementary School, 2-3
Fairlane Elementary School, PK-1
Lafayette Elementary School, 4-5
Macon County High School, 9-12
Macon County Junior High School, 6-8
Westside Elementary School, PK-5, located in western Macon County
Red Boiling Springs High School
Private School
Macon Christian Academy, Pre School to 12
Transportation
Lafayette is located at the crossroads of Tennessee Routes 10 and 52. Route 52 is the main thoroughfare in the city, connecting with Interstate 65 approximately 35 miles away, near Portland.
Sneed Boulevard is used as a bypass that connects Route 52 to the Lafayette Industrial Park, which is located in the northern section of the city.
Other major routes
Tennessee State Route 261
Tennessee State Route 262
Located two miles west of downtown, air service in Lafayette is provided by Lafayette Municipal Airport. The facility includes a runway with dimensions of 5,200 by 75 feet.
Notable Natives
John Washington Butler
Hillous Butrum - Country music guitarist.
Rita Coolidge - American singer.
Nera White - First Woman in Basketball Hall of Fame
Jett Williams - Country Music Singe
External Links
City website
Macon County Chronicle
Macon County Times
Source: Internet