Tennessee Colony, Texas

Tennessee Colony, TX

Tennessee Colony was founded in 1847 when a group of settlers from Tennessee and Alabama arrived in the area. The families that settled there named the settlement after their home state and quickly took advantage of the moist climate and fertile soil to cultivate cotton plantations. One such plantation, the Jackson Plantation, eventually became one of the largest in East Texas.

Tennessee Colony is an unincorporated community located in Anderson County, Texas, United States. Here are some facts about Tennessee Colony:

• Tennessee Colony was named after the state of Tennessee, as many of the early settlers were from that state.
• The community is located in eastern Texas, approximately 100 miles southeast of Dallas.
• The population of Tennessee Colony is estimated to be around 400-500 people.
• Tennessee Colony is home to the Beto Unit, a maximum-security prison operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
• The community is served by the Palestine Independent School District, which operates schools in nearby Palestine, Texas.
• Tennessee Colony is located near the Trinity River, which offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities.
• The area around Tennessee Colony is primarily agricultural, with cotton, corn, and soybeans being the most common crops.
• Tennessee Colony has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters.
• The closest major city to Tennessee Colony is Tyler, Texas, which is approximately 35 miles to the east.
• Tennessee Colony has a rich history, with many historic buildings and landmarks dating back to the 19th century.

Things to do in Tennessee Colony, TX

Tennessee Colony is rightfully proud of its heritage and two notable historical markers have been erected in the town – one honoring Tennessee Colony itself, while the other pays tribute to the Tennessee Colony cemetery. These monuments serve to remind current and future generations of the importance of Tennessee Colony’s past and its ongoing contribution to the state of Texas.

While it is a small town, there are still several things to do and see in the area. Here are some activities and attractions you might consider checking out if you’re in Tennessee Colony:

Visit the Beto Unit

The Beto Unit is a maximum-security prison that is located in Tennessee Colony. While you can’t tour the facility, you can drive by and see the perimeter fence and the guard towers.

Go fishing

Tennessee Colony is located near the Trinity River, which offers great opportunities for fishing. You can catch a variety of fish, including catfish, bass, and crappie.

Explore the outdoors

The area around Tennessee Colony is home to several parks and nature preserves. You can go hiking, bird-watching, or just enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors.

Visit nearby towns

Tennessee Colony is located near several small towns that offer unique attractions and activities. You might consider visiting Palestine, Texas, which is home to the Texas State Railroad and several historic sites.

Attend local events

Tennessee Colony and the surrounding communities have several events throughout the year, including festivals, fairs, and parades. Check local event listings to see what’s coming up.

Visit historic sites

Tennessee Colony has a rich history, and there are several historic sites in the area that you can visit. Some notable sites include the Old Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine and the Reagan Cemetery.

Go on a road trip

Tennessee Colony is located near several scenic drives, including the East Texas Piney Woods Trail and the Piney Woods Scenic Byway. Take a leisurely drive through the beautiful countryside and take in the scenery.

Overall, Tennessee Colony is a quiet, rural community that offers plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors and learn about Texas history.

History of Tennessee Colony, TX

In 1851, a log schoolhouse opened and Grant Kersky became its first teacher. A post office followed shortly afterward, in 1852. However, during this period Tennessee Colony also experienced racial tensions. In 1860, two men from Mississippi, Cable, and Wyrick, were accused of plotting a slave uprising. They were suspected of encouraging slaves to poison the town’s water supply and kill most of the white citizens. Cable and Wyrick were quickly tried and hanged. In 1869, a man named Seymour attempted to open a black school in the town, but this was met with resistance from local settlers and he was forced to leave soon after.

The railroad arrived at nearby Palestine in 1872, bringing rapid development to this pocket of East Texas. By 1884, Tennessee Colony had three churches, a school, a steam gristmill, a cotton gin, and an estimated population of 200. Over the next few decades, however, many businesses moved to nearby Palestine as the population of Tennessee Colony decreased.

In 1965, the Texas Department of Corrections purchased 21,000 acres southwest of TN Colony for the construction of two prison facilities – the Coffield Unit (a medium-security prison facility designed to hold 2,000 prisoners) and the Beto Unit. This effectively marked the start of a new era for TN colony – providing additional jobs and industry as well as raising the population to an all-time high of 400. In 2000, the population was recorded as 300 people.

Today, TN Colony remains an agricultural center with several grocers, cotton gins and a telephone connection still operating within its limits. It also continues to house two state correctional facilities which offer employment opportunities and engage in agricultural and livestock operations.

Tennessee Colony Cemetery

Co Rd 2230, Tennessee Colony, TX 75861

Tennessee Colony Cemetery is a historic burial ground established by settlers from the southern United States in 1838. Located on the Manuel Riondo Land Grant of 1833, the cemetery may contain graves predating the formation of Anderson County in 1846. While most of these graves lack marked stones, the earliest discernible marker belongs to Manurva E. Shelton, who died on September 13, 1862. The cemetery is also home to many other pioneers of the area, their descendants, veterans, and prominent community members.

In 1974, M. S. Avant’s heirs formally deeded the land to the Tennessee Colony Cemetery Association, ensuring its continued preservation as an important part of Texas history. To this day, visitors can still pay their respects and make offerings to their loved ones, reflecting centuries of tradition that stretches back to the days of the Republic of Texas.

Jimmison Quarter Cemetery

Tennessee Colony, TX 75861

Jimmison Quarter Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Tennessee Colony, Texas. Established by Elbert S. Jemison circa 1850, the site originally served as a plantation for cotton production and a residence for slaves owned or rented by the master. Following Emancipation in 1865, many of these freed individuals chose to remain in Tennessee Colony, eventually establishing the cemetery on this spot.

Today, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for generations of African Americans who hailed from this area, including veterans of major 20th Century conflicts. It has also become a powerful symbol of more than a century’s progress toward freedom, equal rights, community, and home. Maintained by a dedicated cemetery association, Jemison Quarters Cemetery stands as a reminder of the struggles and victories of African American history in Texas.

 

Tennessee Colony, Texas 75861