Junction of TN-52 and Main Street in Jamestown
Jamestown is a city in Fentress County, Tennessee, United States. It is the county seat of Fentress County. The population of the city was 1,959 at the 2010 census.
History
Mark Twain Spring in Jamestown, used by Twain's parents circa 1827-1832
The City of Jamestown was established in 1823 as a county seat for Fentress County. Jamestown was incorporated as a city in 1837. Both Fentress County and the City of Jamestown are named for prominent local politician James Fentress (1763–1843), who made the appeal for the new county to be carved out of Overton and Morgan counties. Jamestown was built upon the site of a semi-permanent Cherokee village, which probably made use of the many natural rock shelters in the area. Before the founding of Jamestown, the area was known as "Sand Springs" for the many bubbling springs located within the city. The last remaining spring is located within the Mark Twain City Park just northeast of the county courthouse. This spring provided water to John M. Clemens, father of Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain), and his family before they moved to Missouri. Mr. Clemens served as the first circuit court clerk. He also drew plans for the first courthouse and jail.
World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York was born, raised and died in Fentress County. He built the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute, a high school in Jamestown. It is one of four state-funded schools in Tennessee.
Media
Jamestown has radio stations WCLC/1260, WCLC-FM/105.1, WDEB/1500 & WDEB-FM/103.9. It also has a low-power FM station, WSAB-LP/92.5. The local newspaper serving Jamestown is the Fentress Courier, published each Wednesday in print and on the internet.
References in Popular Culture
Jamestown appears to be referenced in the John Mellencamp song "Minutes to Memories" from his album Scarecrow.[original research?] The song describes a young boy's experience meeting an older and wise gentleman on a bus ride north from Tennessee, most likely to Chicago. The opening line states "On a Greyhound, 30 miles beyond Jamestown, he saw the sunset on the Tennessee line..."
Major Annual Events
Jamestown is the headquarters for the World's Longest Yardsale, also known as the 127 Corridor Sale.
External Links
Fentress Courier
World's Longest Yard sale
Source: Internet
