Hamblen County was created in 1870 from parts of Jefferson, Grainger, and Hawkins counties. The county is named in honor of Hezekiah Hamblen who lived from 1775 to 1854. He was an early settler, landowner, attorney, and member of the Hawkins County Court for many years. The Hamblen County Courthouse was completed in 1874. With a total area of 176 square miles, it also has a population count of almost 65,000 residents.