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     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

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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.

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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. 

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