Bell Buckle, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Bell Buckle is a town in Bedford County, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 500 at the 2010 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 391 people, 167 households, and 105 families residing in the town. The population density
was 813.6 people per square mile (314.5/km²). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 380.8 per square mile (147.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.95% White and 2.05% African American.
There were 167 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $15,556 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,235. About 8.2% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.
The 2010 census
showed the population of Bell Buckle to have risen to 500 people, with a total population growth of 27.9%. The census documented 62.8% of the population as being 18 years of age or above, and 37.2% as under 18.
The racial makeup of the town has become more diverse. The white population is now 84.8%. The black population is 2.8%. The town now has an Asian population is 8.2%, and a Hispanic population of 3.2%. There is a Multiracial
population of 1%.
The 2010 census documented 164 housing units, 87.2% of which were occupied, and 12.8% were vacant.
, one story says that one of the first white men to travel through the area found a tree with carvings of a cow bell
and a buckle
, possibly carved by Indians
to warn white settlers away, or possibly carved by surveyor
s to mark the area as good pasture
. Another form of the legend holds that a bell and buckle were tied around a tree. In any case, the nearby creek was named Bell Buckle Creek, and the town later took the name of the creek.
The Bell Buckle area was settled in the early 19th century. A bustling town grew up after the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad came through the area in 1852. A railroad depot was built in 1853 and the town was incorporated
in 1856. Bell Buckle had its period of greatest prosperity after about 1870, becoming the major stockyard
between Nashville
and Chattanooga and growing to a population of more than 1,000.
homes, shops, and churches located in and around downtown. Bell Buckle is also well known as a center for antiques
, quilts, and various handmade crafts. The town hosts two yearly festivals: the RC Cola & Moon Pie
festival and the Webb School Arts & Crafts Fair.
A proud member of Tennessee Backroads, Bell Buckle has the distinction of being the smallest town in Tennessee to be a Tree City USA
. Bell Buckle is the home of The Webb School
(which relocated from Culleoka
in 1886), a college preparatory boarding
and day school
which plays an integral part in the ambiance of the town.
Bell Buckle is home to the annual RC Cola and Moon Pie
Festival.
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 500 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Bell Buckle is located at 35°35′27"N 86°21′15"W (35.590749, -86.354047).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 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
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 391 people, 167 households, and 105 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 813.6 people per square mile (314.5/km²). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 380.8 per square mile (147.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.95% White and 2.05% African American.
There were 167 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% 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, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $15,556 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 $16,235. About 8.2% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.
The 2010 census
Census
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...
showed the population of Bell Buckle to have risen to 500 people, with a total population growth of 27.9%. The census documented 62.8% of the population as being 18 years of age or above, and 37.2% as under 18.
The racial makeup of the town has become more diverse. The white population is now 84.8%. The black population is 2.8%. The town now has an Asian population is 8.2%, and a Hispanic population of 3.2%. There is a Multiracial
Multiracial
The terms multiracial and mixed-race describe people whose ancestries come from multiple races. Unlike the term biracial, which often is only used to refer to having parents or grandparents of two different races, the term multiracial may encompass biracial people but can also include people with...
population of 1%.
The 2010 census documented 164 housing units, 87.2% of which were occupied, and 12.8% were vacant.
History
The origin of the town's unusual name is not known. According to the local chamber of commerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, one story says that one of the first white men to travel through the area found a tree with carvings of a cow bell
Cow bell
A cowbell or cow bell is a bell worn by freely roaming livestock, so that they do not run away or wander off without being heard. While bells were used on various types of animals, they are typically referred to as "cowbells" due to their extensive use with cattle.A trychel is a large cow bell...
and a buckle
Buckle
The buckle or clasp is a device used for fastening two loose ends, with one end attached to it and the other held by a catch in a secure but adjustable manner. Usually overlooked and taken for granted, the invention of the buckle has been indispensable in securing two ends before the invention of...
, possibly carved by Indians
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...
to warn white settlers away, or possibly carved by surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
s to mark the area as good pasture
Pasture
Pasture is land used for grazing. Pasture lands in the narrow sense are enclosed tracts of farmland, grazed by domesticated livestock, such as horses, cattle, sheep or swine. The vegetation of tended pasture, forage, consists mainly of grasses, with an interspersion of legumes and other forbs...
. Another form of the legend holds that a bell and buckle were tied around a tree. In any case, the nearby creek was named Bell Buckle Creek, and the town later took the name of the creek.
The Bell Buckle area was settled in the early 19th century. A bustling town grew up after the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad came through the area in 1852. A railroad depot was built in 1853 and the town was incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
in 1856. Bell Buckle had its period of greatest prosperity after about 1870, becoming the major stockyard
Feedlot
A feedlot or feedyard is a type of animal feeding operation which is used in factory farming for finishing livestock, notably beef cattle, but also swine, horses, sheep, turkeys, chickens or ducks, prior to slaughter. Large beef feedlots are called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations . They...
between Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
and Chattanooga and growing to a population of more than 1,000.
Sightseeing and tourism
Bell Buckle is noted for the many preserved and restored VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
homes, shops, and churches located in and around downtown. Bell Buckle is also well known as a center for antiques
Antiques
An antique is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age , beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features...
, quilts, and various handmade crafts. The town hosts two yearly festivals: the RC Cola & Moon Pie
Moon pie
A moon pie or MoonPie is a pastry which consists of two round graham cracker cookies, with marshmallow filling in the center, dipped in chocolate or other flavors. The traditional pie is about three inches in diameter...
festival and the Webb School Arts & Crafts Fair.
A proud member of Tennessee Backroads, Bell Buckle has the distinction of being the smallest town in Tennessee to be a Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
. Bell Buckle is the home of The Webb School
Webb School (Bell Buckle, Tennessee)
The Webb School is a private coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, founded in 1870. It has been called the oldest, continuously operating boarding school in the South...
(which relocated from Culleoka
Culleoka, Tennessee
Culleoka is an unincorporated community in Maury County, Tennessee, United States.The Culleoka School, enrolling kindergarten through grade 12, is operated as a unit of Maury County Public Schools....
in 1886), a college preparatory boarding
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
and day school
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
which plays an integral part in the ambiance of the town.
Bell Buckle is home to the annual RC Cola and Moon Pie
Moon pie
A moon pie or MoonPie is a pastry which consists of two round graham cracker cookies, with marshmallow filling in the center, dipped in chocolate or other flavors. The traditional pie is about three inches in diameter...
Festival.