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.
Hamilton County was formed on October 25, 1819, from portions of Rhea County and Cherokee land. It was named after Alexander Hamilton who was an officer in the American Revolutionary War, a member of the Continental Congress, the first US Secretary of Treasury, and one of the founding fathers of the United States. The area was originally occupied by the Cherokee Nation under the leadership of John Ross. What is now known as Chattanooga was formerly Ross’s Landing, a busy trading post recognized as the center of the Cherokee Nation. The county has a total area of 576 square miles and a population count of 367,804 residents.
The county was established in 1787 off of land that was granted to William Armstrong. Armstrong later built Stony Point. The county was named after former North Carolina senator Benjamin Hawkins. Hawkins County was the site of The Battle of Rogersville during the American Civil War. The county has a total area of 500 square miles, it also has a population count of 56,786 residents.
Haywood County was created from part of Madison County in 1823 and was named for Tennessee judge and historian John Haywood. The state legislature designated Brownsville as the county seat. Haywood County was later reduced in size when both Lauderdale and Crockett counties were created from its territory. Therefore the county currently has a total area of 534 square miles and has a population count of 17,335 residents.
The county was established in 1807 and named for Hickman at the suggestion of Robert Weakley, a legislator who had been a member of Hickman’s surveying party. Hickman County was named for Edwin Hickman, an explorer, and surveyor who was killed in an Indian attack at Defeated Creek in 1791. The county has a total area of 613 square miles and a population count of 25,063 residents.
Jefferson County was established on June 11, 1792, by William Blount, Governor of the Southwest Territory. It had been a part of Caswell County during the State of Franklin period of 1784 to 1789. Its county seat was settled in 1783. The county was named after the third president of the U.S., Thomas Jefferson. With a total area of 314 square miles with a population count of 54,495 residents.
Knox County was created after the American Revolutionary War on June 11, 1792, by Governor William Blount from parts of Greene and Hawkins counties. It was one of the few counties created when this area was still known as the Southwest Territory. It is one of nine United States counties named for American Revolutionary War general Henry Knox who was also appointed as the first United States Secretary of War. As the population increased, parts of Knox County were taken out to form Blount, Anderson, Roane, and Union counties from 1795 to 1850. The county today has a total area of 526 square miles and a population count of 470,313 residents.
Loudon County was formed on May 27, 1870, from portions of Roane, Monroe, and Blount counties. Originally, it was named Christiana County, but a few days later the name was changed to Loudon in honor of nearby colonial-era Fort Loudoun. Though the county seat is Loudon, its largest city is Lenoir City. The county today has a total area of 247 square miles with a population count of 54,068 residents.
Macon County was formed in 1842 from parts of Smith and Sumner counties. It was named in honor of the late Revolutionary War veteran and United States Senator, Nathaniel Macon. During the late 19th and early 20th century, the county was known for thriving as a mineral springs resorts however, only one hotel in the county today still offers the mineral spring treatment. With a total area of 307 square miles, the county has a population count of 24,602 residents.
Madison County was formed in 1821, and named for founding father and president, James Madison. The county was part of lands the United States purchased from the Chickasaw Indians in 1818. After Congress passed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, most Chickasaw were forced out of the state and west to the Indian Territory that was beyond the Mississippi River. The county has a total area of 559 square miles with a population count of almost 98,000 residents.
