CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Oliver Springs O
liver Springs was founded in 1821 as Winter’s Gap. It was named for its first permanent settler of European descent, Major Moses Winters, who had settled in the area before 1799. Before that time, the area around Oliver Springs had been used by Native Americans as a hunting ground and campsite. Natural mineral springs and abundant wildlife on Windrock Mountain encouraged Native Americans to stay. The springs, whose reputation for miraculous medicinal properties lasted until the 20th century, were called Tah-hah-lehaha, which meant “healing waters” in the Cherokee language. The land remained unexplored by European settlers until 1761. At this time, a long hunting expedition led by Elisha Walden explored much of the Clinch and Powell River valleys. However, settlement in the area did not begin in earnest until the 1790s, and growth remained slow. In 1826, Richard Oliver became the town’s first postmaster. The town was renamed Oliver’s Springs in his honor. The town’s name was briefly changed to Poplar Springs, and then to Oliver Springs. Oliver provided mail service from his 35-room mansion, which also served as an inn. He was the first to develop the commercial potential of the mineral springs. He would transport his guests between the springs and the inn. During the Civil War, the inn was used as a hospital by both sides. Joseph Richards bought Oliver’s land in 1873. He built the first resort hotel, and in 1894 replaced this first structure with a 150room hotel with then-modern amenities. Oliver Springs became a popular resort town. The Oliver Springs Hotel catered to wealthy guests, who came from all over the U.S. and Europe to drink the waters and bathe in the springs. In 1888, the railroad came to Oliver Springs and brought thousands of visitors to the springs. The hotel burned in 1905. The town decided to cover the springs rather than rebuild the hotel. Evidence of water conduits and reservoirs can still be seen on the site. In the early part of the twentieth century, the area became dependent on the coal industry. According to historian Keith Glass, the Windrock Coal and Coke Company, a subsidiary of the Bessemer Coal, Iron and Land Company of Birmingham, began operating a coal mine near Oliver Springs circa 1904. In the late 1990s, the movie October Sky was filmed in nearby coal mining areas as well as the city’s downtown area. Currently, the local economy is centered on the mountains, which are very popular among all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders. The Oliver Springs Historic Society remodeled the Abston/ Daugherty building, built in 1922, located on the corner of Winter Gap & Kingston Ave. This building is used as a museum, meeting rooms and theater. Another renovation was completed at the depot. The Town of Oliver Springs renovated the building which serves as the Oliver Springs Public Library. A new roof, rebuilding of the cupolas, stabilization and new paint brought this historic gem back to life in 2018. Come visit us during the “October Sky Festival” in October and see all the great things going on in Oliver Springs!
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CITY OFFICIALS Mayor:..................................................... Omer Cox Aldermen: Robert Miller, Jeff Bass, Kenneth Brown, Rusty Phillips, Terry Holland, Don Shillings City Manager:................................... Thomas McCormick City Judge/Recorder:............................ Joseph VanHook Police Chief:......................................... David Laxton Fire Chief:............................................ Justin Bailey Utility Office Manager:..................................... BJ Runyan CITY PHONE NUMBERS City Hall..................................................435-7722 Fire Department (business) .......................435-7778 Police Department (business)....................435-7777 Parks and Recreation ...............................435-7725 Oliver Springs Public Library......................435-2509 UTILITIES Water – Town of Oliver Springs..................435-7722 Gas – Powell Clinch Utility District.............426-2822 Electric – Clinton Utilities Board................457-9232 Sewer – Town of Oliver Springs..................435-7722
DEMOGRAPHICS Population.....................................................3,386 Median Age.....................................................45.4 Avg. Household Income..............................$62,177 Total Households...........................................1,403 Avg. Household Size........................................2.41 Homeownership Rate.................................... 67.6%
Source: 2021 Esri Forecast
717 Main Street Oliver Springs, TN 37840 865-435-7722
www.oliversprings-tn.gov
