Ashland City, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Ashland City is a town in Cheatham County, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 3,641 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Cheatham County.
The first major industry in the Ashland City area was the forge operated by Montgomery Bell at Narrows of the Harpeth, several miles to the southwest, which was established in 1818. In 1835, Samuel Watson established a grist mill
and powder mill along Sycamore Creek, just north of Ashland City. Watson's mill developed into one of the largest powder mills in the South, making it a target during the American Civil War
. The mill continued in operation under various owners until 1904.
The city was either named after Henry Clay
's estate Ashland or by an act of the General Assembly of Tennessee in 1859, when the city was incorporated, who were inspired by the ash tree
s in the area. Originally called Ashland, "City" was added to the name after the incorporation.
, a few miles upstream from the river's confluence with the Harpeth River
. The Cheatham State Wildlife Management Area covers most of the hilly area on the opposite side of the Cumberland.
Ashland City is centered around the junction of Tennessee State Route 12
, which connects the city with Nashville to the south and Clarksville
to the northwest, and Tennessee State Route 49, which connects the city to Springfield
and Kentucky
to the northeast and Charlotte
to the west.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²), of which, 8.9 square miles (23.1 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (7.61%) is water.
The bluff was supposedly named after a girl who fell from the bluff while trying to escape hostile Native Americans
in the early 19th century.
Cheatham Lock and Dam, is a large recreational area operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers that offers many outdoor experiences such as camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, water sports, swimming, and multiple children's play areas stretching along the Cumberland River
. Cheatham Dam is a popular rustic weekend getaway for many surrounding areas.
of 2000, there were 3,641 people, 1,416 households, and 944 families residing in the town. The population density
was 410.8 people per square mile (158.7/km²). There were 1,508 housing units at an average density of 170.2 per square mile (65.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.04% White, 3.74% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 1.04% from other races
, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.
There were 1,416 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,282, and the median income for a family was $39,550. Males had a median income of $29,694 versus $22,454 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,228. About 5.5% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
corporation).
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,641 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cheatham County.
History
Ashland City was created in 1856 as a county seat for the newly-established Cheatham County. The county's commissioners purchased the initial 50 acre (0.202343 km²) of land (now the courthouse square) from James Lenox, and a temporary courthouse was erected shortly thereafter. The temporary structure was replaced by the present courthouse in 1869. Ashland City was officially incorporated in 1859.The first major industry in the Ashland City area was the forge operated by Montgomery Bell at Narrows of the Harpeth, several miles to the southwest, which was established in 1818. In 1835, Samuel Watson established a grist mill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
and powder mill along Sycamore Creek, just north of Ashland City. Watson's mill developed into one of the largest powder mills in the South, making it a target during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The mill continued in operation under various owners until 1904.
The city was either named after Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
's estate Ashland or by an act of the General Assembly of Tennessee in 1859, when the city was incorporated, who were inspired by the ash tree
Ash tree
Fraxinus is a genus flowering plants in the olive and lilac family, Oleaceae. It contains 45-65 species of usually medium to large trees, mostly deciduous though a few subtropical species are evergreen. The tree's common English name, ash, goes back to the Old English æsc, while the generic name...
s in the area. Originally called Ashland, "City" was added to the name after the incorporation.
Geography
Ashland City is located at 36°16′5"N 87°3′18"W (36.267954, -87.054877). The city is situated in a bottomland along the northeast bank of the Cumberland RiverCumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
, a few miles upstream from the river's confluence with the Harpeth River
Harpeth River
The Harpeth River, long, is one of the major streams of north-central Middle Tennessee and one of the major tributaries of the Cumberland River...
. The Cheatham State Wildlife Management Area covers most of the hilly area on the opposite side of the Cumberland.
Ashland City is centered around the junction of Tennessee State Route 12
Tennessee State Route 12
State Route 12 is a highway from Davidson County, Tennessee to Montgomery County, Tennessee.- Route description :State Route 12 passes through the city of Nashville while concurrent to U.S. Route 41A. After it splits off it goes through the town of Ashland City before merging with the U.S. Route...
, which connects the city with Nashville to the south and Clarksville
Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States, and the fifth largest city in the state. The population was 132,929 in 2010 United States Census...
to the northwest, and Tennessee State Route 49, which connects the city to Springfield
Springfield, Tennessee
Springfield is a city in Robertson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 14,329 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Robertson County.-Geography:Springfield is located at ....
and Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
to the northeast and Charlotte
Charlotte, Tennessee
Charlotte is a town in Dickson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,153 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dickson County.-Geography:...
to the west.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²), of which, 8.9 square miles (23.1 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (7.61%) is water.
Landmarks
Sydney's Bluff, located on the opposite bank of the Cumberland River, is visible from most parts of the city, especially from the residential districts which are built on hills rising to the north of the river flood plain. This jagged cliff system, which was carved by the Cumberland River, is popular with local rock climbers and hikers.The bluff was supposedly named after a girl who fell from the bluff while trying to escape hostile Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in the early 19th century.
Cheatham Lock and Dam, is a large recreational area operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers that offers many outdoor experiences such as camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, water sports, swimming, and multiple children's play areas stretching along the Cumberland River
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
. Cheatham Dam is a popular rustic weekend getaway for many surrounding areas.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,641 people, 1,416 households, and 944 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 410.8 people per square mile (158.7/km²). There were 1,508 housing units at an average density of 170.2 per square mile (65.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.04% White, 3.74% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 1.04% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.
There were 1,416 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,282, and the median income for a family was $39,550. Males had a median income of $29,694 versus $22,454 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $17,228. About 5.5% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The largest manufacturing operation in Ashland City is State Industries, which fabricates water heaters. Additionally, the city limits were recently extended along State Highway 12 to the Davidson County line. This expansion incorporated the Cheatham County Industrial Park, which includes Triton Boat as well as barge building operations, paper products, and concrete manufacturers along the Cumberland River. Ashland City industry is served by the Nashville & Western Railroad (which is a division of the Nashville and Eastern RailroadNashville and Eastern Railroad
The Nashville and Eastern Railroad is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee....
corporation).
External links
- Ashland City — official site
- State Industries
- AO Smith WPC
- The Braxton Condominiums