McMinn County Est. 1819 from Cherokee lands
in the heart of East Tennessee
McMinn County Historical Society & Archives
Preserving our History. Dedicated home of the archives of McMinn County
Now open 10 am-2 pm weekdays (call ahead) and by appointment at our new location
107 W. College Street, Athens, TN 37303 Phone: 423.744.3911 Email: mcminncohistory@gmail.com
McMinn County's Unique History
The Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution passed when the Tennessee State House ratified it. A young House member named Harry T. Burn changed his vote that day on the advice of his mother.
In 1946, there was an open rebellion between hundreds of WWII veterans "GI Non-Partisan League" and the sheriff and some of his deputies. One night became the "Battle of Athens" over election fraud. Thankfully, no one was killed in the incident but the incident drew national attention to Athens, Tennesse.
Niota houses the oldest train station still standing in the state of Tennessee. It was standing prior to the emancipation proclamation and a slave auction was once held near there, according to the Athens Post, in April 1863.
