History
Grand Junction in 1940
Grand Junction was founded in 1858. It was named after the "Grand Junction" of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, which ran through the area. The town was a railroad town, with its own newspaper, two saloons, three hotels, a livery stable and other businesses. During the Civil War, the Union Army held the city for approximately three years. In 1878 a yellow fever epidemic struck the town and killed more than half of the 150 residents. The town was incorporated in 1901.
Climate
Grand Junction has a humid subtropical climate, with four distinct seasons. The summer months (late May to late September) are persistently hot and humid due to moisture encroaching from the Gulf of Mexico, with afternoon temperatures frequently above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent during some summers, but usually brief, lasting no longer than an hour. Early autumn is drier and mild, but can remain hot until late October. Abrupt but short-lived cold snaps are common. Late autumn is rainy and colder, December being the third rainiest month of the year. Fall foliage becomes especially vibrant after the first frost, typically early November, and lasts until early December. Winters are mild, but cold snaps can occur. Mild spells sometimes occur January and February. Snowfall is not abundant but does occur during most winters, with one or two major winter weather events occurring by the end of March. Spring often begins in late February or early March, following the onset of a sharp warmup. This season is also known as "severe weather season" due to the higher frequency of tornadoes, hail, and thunderstorms producing winds greater than 58 mph (93 km/h). Average rainfall is slightly higher during the spring months than the rest of the year. Historically, April is the month with the highest frequency of tornadoes, though tornadoes have occurred every month of the year. Grand Junction-area historical tornado activity is above Tennessee state average, and 155% greater than the overall U.S. average. Grand Junction is sunny about 62.5% of the time.
Economy
A. Schulman has a manufacturing facility in Grand Junction. The town also has many small local businesses including a clothing boutique, antique shops, and 2 local banks, several quick-marts and a Dollar General store.
Arts and Culture
The National Bird Dog Museum (NBDM) is located in Grand Junction, as is the Field Trial Hall of Fame and Wildlife Heritage Center, which shares space with the NBDM. The location of the NBDM and the history of the area in regards to hunting has earned the town the title of the "Bird Dog Capital of the World". Ames Plantation, the former home of Hobart Ames, is also located in the area. The town is also home to the National Field Trial Championships, which are held at Ames Plantation. Grand Junction's library, the Bobby Martindale Memorial Library, serves area residents and consists of 1 staff member and volunteers. As of 2011, over 1,380 patrons visited the library, checking out items over 3,300 times. The Wilder Community Center serves as a community hall and senior center. Grand Junction also has one of the oldest and most active Ruritan clubs in Tennessee.
Annual Events
A Christmas parade is held each year with a tree-lighting ceremony, as well the annual community fish fry hosted by the Local Chapter of the Ruritan. It is held the 1st Saturday in October each year and draws from several counties. There is also an annual BBQ Cookoff contest help each year in April that draws a large crowd and plenty of contestants vying for the "Golden Pig".
Other Notable Landmarks
Many of the original buildings are still maintained within Grand Junction. Rogers and Sons Marble Works, established in 1879, is still in operation and the old railroad depot is maintained. N.T. Richardson's General Merchandise Store is still operating as well, which was run by N.T. Richardson until his death at 104 years old. A cotton gin located on Highway 57 now serves as the site of the annual community fish fry.
Education
Grand Junction has one elementary school: Grand Junction Elementary School, and also a Head Start Program.
Media
Although in a rural area, Grand Junction has many local television and radio stations able to be received by residents with basic outdoor antennas. Eleven television stations are available over the air in Grand Junction, and over sixteen radio stations are also able to be received.
Infrastructure
Major Thoroughfares
State Route 57
State Route 18
State Route 368
Utilities
Grand Junction provides a number of services to their population. The Grand Junction Post Office provides mail services and the Bolivar Electric Company and Hardeman/Fayette Utility Dist. provides electricity and gas, respectively. The city handles waste disposal, sewage and water needs. Comcast provides cable services, internet and phone services and AT&T, landline phone service, internet and television services.
Notable Residents
Thomas Edison is believed to have served as the town's first telegraph operator. William Faulkner frequented the area for quail hunting. Other notable visitors to the area have included Ty Cobb and George Washington Carver.
External Links:
National Bird Dog Museum
Grand Junction Official website
Ames Plantation official website
Source: Internet
