About Lawrenceburg and Lawrence County, Tennessee

Lawrence County - Lawrenceburg, Tennessee is called the “Crossroads of Dixie” with US Hwy 64 and US Hwy 43 intersecting. With a population nearing 15,000 Lawrenceburg has become a destination city in South Central Tennessee. Lawrence County’s history presents a colorful past. Lawrence County was created October 21, 1817, by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly from mostly Indian Territory as a result of the Treaty of 1816 with the Chickasaw Indians.

The county seat, Lawrenceburg, was chosen in 1819 because of its proximity to the center of the county and the fact that Jackson's Military Road ran on the eastern edge of the town. In April, 1821, the road was changed to go through the center of the town. This road was a major thoroughfare from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, and has played a significant role in the development of the county. The county and county seat were both named in honor of Captain James Lawrence, U.S. Naval hero of the War of 1812. The Natchez Trace Parkway, part of the National Park System, runs through the northwestern part of the county.

One of the first commissioners and justices of the peace from Lawrence County was David Crockett. He ran a water-powered grist mill, powder mill and distillery in the area near Shoal Creek. Although he was only here for five years, David Crockett had a tremendous impact on the county and is a main attraction for tourists. A Tennessee State Park is named in his honor and located on the banks of Shoal Creek in Lawrenceburg.

In 1944, the Amish people migrated to this area and have been an asset ever since. They are simple-living people, holding onto their strong religious and cultural beliefs. They do not believe in bearing arms, worldly pleasures, electricity, mechanical machinery or automobiles. They are farmers and skilled craftsmen, and one of this county’s main tourist attractions.

Visitors love to see the Old Order Amish community live 19th Century lifestyles and open their farms (except on Sundays and holy days) to those interested in buying their baked goods and handicrafts.

In Summertown, Tennessee, located on 3 square miles, The Farm is home to approximately 200 persons. Founded in 1971 with a spiritual commitment to simple living and self-reliance, The Farm has pioneered a wide range of social and physical technologies appropriate to low-cost, high satisfaction community living.

Lawrence County is also the birthplace of Southern Gospel Music and visitors to historic downtown Lawrenceburg can see where it all began at the James D. Vaughan Museum on the Square. The downtown area also has a David Crockett statue and cabin and one of the only two Mexican War Monuments in the U.S.

In addition to the year-round attractions, Lawrence County plays host to festivals and celebrations practically every weekend from May to October with events such as the Summertown Bluegrass Festivals, Oktoberfest in Loretto, the south's largest Antique Tractor Show, the Middle Tennessee District Fair, the State Championship Barbecue Cook-off, the James D. Vaughan Homecoming Singing, the Heritage Festival, David Crockett Days - the list goes on and on...