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40-508: The caverns' main entrance was discovered by Aaron Higginbotham in 1810, while surveying his land on Cardwell Mountain in what is now Warren County . According to legend, Higginbotham was the first man to enter the cave and was lost for three days after his torch went out. It was named Higgenbotham Cave in his honor. Another smaller cave, also located on Cardwell Mountain, was discovered about this time and named Henshaw Cave. Although not nearly as big as Higgenbotham Cave, Henshaw Cave proved to be

80-512: A connection between Henshaw Cave and Higgenbotham Cave was discovered by author Tom Barr and local cavers S.R. "Tank" Gorin and Dale Smith. This connection was named the Meatgrinder because of its small size and shape. Soon afterward, Tank and a caver from Indiana named Roy Davis leased the cave from its owner, A.W. Powell, and developed it into a commercial cave . The cave opened under the name Cumberland Caverns on July 4, 1956, and has been open to

120-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.90. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

160-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

200-781: A minority of the population. Warren County citizens voted to secede from the Union before the American War Between the States in February 1861 in a state referendum. Voters in Tennessee overall decided to remain in the Union in that time. When President Abraham Lincoln demanded that Tennessee provide troops to fight against the Southern states in April 1861, it was viewed as a violation of Article 3, Section 3 of

240-642: A source of saltpeter (the main ingredient of gunpowder ) and was operated as a saltpeter mine during perhaps both the War of 1812 and the Civil War . In 1869 Shelah Waters, a tax revenuer, explored the cave extensively. Higgenbotham Cave became a favorite spot for local adventurers during the 19th century. In the early 1940s, members of the National Speleological Society (NSS) began to explore Higgenbotham Cave and greatly increased its known extent. In 1953,

280-647: A tributary of the Caney Fork, flows through the central part of White County, and drains the county seat, Sparta. The Falling Water River , also a tributary of the Caney Fork, flows through the northwestern part of the county, and forms part of the county's border with Putnam County . The Falling Water River is noted for its 136-foot (41 m) waterfall, Burgess Falls , which straddles the Putnam-White line. White County also boasts over 1,200 documented caves (over 3.17 caves per square mile), which makes White County one of

320-606: A western offshoot of the Cumberland Plateau . The cave is home to stalagmites , stalactites , helictites , flowstone , cave pearls , botryoidal coral, gypsum flowers, needles, and pure white gypsum snow, as well as a variety of cave life. Areas of interest within the cave include: Warren County, Tennessee Warren County is a county located on the Cumberland Plateau in Middle Tennessee, one of

360-457: Is Tennessee's largest show cave . It is the second longest mapped cave in Tennessee with 27.6 miles (44.4 km) of passages, and displays some of the largest cave rooms in eastern North America. Cumberland Caverns is the 15th longest cave in the United States. Hubbard's Cave , the largest gray bat hibernaculum in Tennessee, with over 100,000 bats, is located in the county. The cave

400-554: Is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee . As of the 2020 census , the population was 27,351. Its county seat is Sparta . White County is a component of the Cookeville Micropolitan Statistical Area . On September 11, 1806, an act of the Tennessee General Assembly created White County out of Smith and Jackson counties, responding to a petition signed by 155 residents of

440-542: Is noted for Cumberland Caverns , an exceptionally long cave which lies underneath the mountain. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 40,953 people, 15,727 households, and 10,167 families residing in the county. As of the census of 2000, there were 38,276 people, 15,181 households, and 10,824 families residing in the county. The population density was 88 people per square mile (34 people/km ). There were 16,689 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km ). The racial makeup of

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480-576: Is owned by the Nature Conservancy and it is securely gated to protect the bats, which are an Endangered Species. Falcon Rest , an 1896 Victorian mansion in McMinnville built by local manufacturer Clay Faulkner , is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is open to the public as a historic house museum. His father's mansion in the same city, Falconhurst , is also on

520-433: The 2020 United States census , there were 27,351 people, 10,048 households, and 6,904 families residing in the county. As of the census of 2000, there were 23,102 people, 9,229 households, and 6,774 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (24 people/km ). There were 10,191 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10/km ). The racial makeup of

560-470: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 434 square miles (1,120 km ), of which 433 square miles (1,120 km ) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km ) (0.3%) is water. The county lies long the Eastern Highland Rim , near the Cumberland Plateau. The Caney Fork forms part of the county's borders with White and DeKalb counties to the north. The Rocky River , a tributary of

600-582: The Wayback Machine led by McMinnville resident Col. John Houston Savage . The Confederate monument next to the county courthouse is dedicated in the memory of the men who served and died in the 16th and lists their names. Men from Warren County and upper Cumberland area joined the 16th TN Infantry Regiment, among others. Their flag is on display at the Texas 'Civil War' Museum in Fort Worth TX. According to

640-468: The poverty line , including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 17.20% of those age 65 or over. Rock Island State Park is located on the northeastern border with White County . This park is the site of the Tennessee Valley Authority 's Great Falls Dam , includes many hiking trails , and offers whitewater rafting . Cumberland Caverns , located east of McMinnville under Cardwell Mountain,

680-669: The Bluegrass Underground era were Vince Gill , Ralph Stanley , Ricky Skaggs , Darrell Scott , and Justin Townes Earle . Now, the Volcano Room is home to Cumberland Caverns Live and hosts a variety of concerts and live music, including acts like Jefferson Starship , Sister Hazel , Kip Moore , and Deer Tick (band) . Cumberland Caverns formed in Mississippian Monteagle Limestone on Cardwell Mountain,

720-520: The Caney Fork, forms part of the county's eastern border with Van Buren County. The Collins River , also a tributary of the Caney Fork, flows through the county, and the Barren Fork , a tributary of the Collins, flows through McMinnville. Cardwell Mountain is an imposing natural feature located five miles due east of McMinnville. It is an erosional remnant of the nearby Cumberland Plateau . Cardwell Mountain

760-544: The Cumberland Plateau to the Highland Rim through Scott's Gulf , a dramatic gorge noted for scenic waterfalls, most notably the 110-foot (34 m) Virgin Falls . The section of the Caney Fork in southern White County is part of Great Falls Lake, an artificial reservoir created by Great Falls Dam at Rock Island State Park . Downstream from this dam, the river enters a second reservoir, Center Hill Lake . The Calfkiller River ,

800-701: The NRHP. Warren County was a Democratic stronghold for most of the 20th century. The last Democrat to win Warren County was Al Gore in 2000. After the 2000 election, Warren County began to trend Republican, with each passing election having an increasing margin for the Republican candidate. Donald Trump won Warren county in 2016 by 42%, compared to Mitt Romney's margin of 25% in 2012. 35°41′N 85°47′W  /  35.68°N 85.78°W  / 35.68; -85.78 White County, Tennessee White County

840-494: The U.S. Constitution. At a new referendum in June 1861, Warren County again, along with a majority of Tennessee's counties, voted for secession. Unlike in some states, slavery was not listed as one of the reasons in Tennessee's secession proclamation. Men from Warren County and surrounding upper Cumberland region formed and served in many units in Tennessee's defense, including the 16th Tennessee Infantry Archived February 14, 2017, at

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880-400: The area. As it was on the border between the largely pro- Union East Tennessee and pro- Confederate Middle Tennessee , the county was the scene of bloodshed from partisans (called "bushwhackers") of both sides. One famous Confederate guerrilla operating in the area was Champ Ferguson , who caused much mayhem and destruction before he was arrested after the war on May 28, 1865. Ferguson

920-404: The area. The county's original geographic area included all of what are now White and Warren counties, as well as parts of modern Cannon , Coffee , DeKalb , Franklin , Grundy , Putnam , and Van Buren counties. The origin of the county's name is disputed. The county is officially held to be named for John White (1751–1846), a Revolutionary War soldier, surveyor , and frontiersman who

960-478: The banks of the Calfkiller River and named Sparta . In 1840, White County became a destination for people from all over the country when Christopher Haufmann erected a large hotel on Bon Air Mountain, part of the Cumberland Plateau . The hotel was near some mineral springs as well as being at a high altitude; both were thought to promote health, and people came from far and wide for the "cures" advertised by

1000-481: The cave, tourists pass through a gift shop that sells tour tickets, souvenirs, and novelty items. Cumberland Caverns was formerly home to Bluegrass Underground , a monthly music event that took place in the cave's Volcano Room. The event has become a nationally syndicated program airing on PBS. In recent years, Bluegrass Underground moved to The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee . Some of the more notable singers to play during

1040-462: The county lies atop the Cumberland Plateau , while the western portion is situated on the Highland Rim , at a lower elevation. The Plateau Escarpment is visible from much of the western part of the county. The Caney Fork , the county's primary drainage, flows across the southern portion of the county, and forms part the county's border with Van Buren , Warren and DeKalb . The river descends from

1080-417: The county seat of the county from which it was formed. The boundaries of five counties formed from Warren— Grundy , Van Buren , Cannon , Coffee and DeKalb — were exactly 12 miles from Warren's county seat, McMinnville, giving the county its distinctive round shape. Warren County was the site of several saltpeter mines. Saltpeter is the main ingredient of gunpowder and was obtained by leaching

1120-419: The county was 91.66% White , 3.16% Black or African American , 0.21% Native American , 0.42% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 3.56% from other races , and 0.94% from two or more races. 4.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 15,181 households, out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 11.20% had

1160-418: The county was 96.63% White , 1.64% Black or African American , 0.20% Native American , 0.23% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 0.46% from other races , and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 9,229 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.80% had

1200-585: The earth from several local caves. Hubbards Cave, near Camp Woodlee, was a major operation. Henshaw Cave on Cardwell Mountain (now part of Cumberland Caverns) and Solomon Saltpeter Cave on Ben Lomond Mountain were relatively small mining operations. Most saltpeter mining occurred during the War of 1812 and in the Civil War. The county was largely developed for farming of such crops as tobacco and hemp. While numerous families held enslaved African Americans as workers, they were

1240-486: The local coal companies began to strip mine residents' private land. The court ruled in favor of the defendants because the Broad Form Deed did not recognize strip mining as a legal form of mining. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 379 square miles (980 km ), of which 377 square miles (980 km ) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ) (0.7%) is water. The eastern part of

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1280-399: The most cave-dense regions in the world. The following counties are adjacent to White. Blue Spring Cave , located five miles northeast of Sparta, is the longest mapped cave in Tennessee and the tenth longest cave in the United States, with 38 miles (61 km) of passages. The footprints of extinct Pleistocene (Ice Age) jaguars were discovered in the cave in 1990 by Bill Walter. As of

1320-539: The public since that time. In 1981, Davis bought a pipe organ and chandelier from Loew's Metropolitan Theatre in Brooklyn and installed them in the cave. Today, Cumberland Caverns, Inc. offers year-round commercial tours of the cave, claiming it is the longest show cave in Tennessee. Tours include a daytime walking tour, adventure tours, overnight stays, and educational field trips . Weddings, banquets, birthday parties , and Christmas parties are also hosted. Before reaching

1360-460: The resort. White County was the site of a very large saltpeter mining operation during the Civil War. The Cave Hill Saltpeter Pits (No. 1 and No. 2), located on Cave Hill near the mouth of England Cove, were intensively mined. Relics remain from that operation. Saltpeter is the main ingredient of gunpowder and was obtained by leaching the earth from these caves. The Civil War deeply affected White County, although no major battles were fought in

1400-588: The three Grand Divisions of the U.S. state of Tennessee . As of the 2020 census , the population was 40,953. Its county seat is McMinnville . Warren County comprises the McMinnville, TN Micropolitan Statistical Area . Warren County was created in 1807 from a portion of White County , and named for Joseph Warren (1741–1775), a militiaman and major general in the American Revolution. The revised Tennessee State Constitution of 1834 stated that no new county could be within 12 miles (19 km) of

1440-415: Was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 30,920, and the median income for a family was $ 37,835. Males had a median income of $ 28,409 versus $ 20,863 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 15,759. About 13.00% of families and 16.60% of the population were below

1480-415: Was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 29,383, and the median income for a family was $ 34,854. Males had a median income of $ 26,706 versus $ 20,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 14,791. About 11.20% of families and 14.30% of the population were below

1520-426: Was rich in bituminous coal , and enterprising local businessmen were quick to realize the profit potential that represented. Several mining towns sprang up on the plateau part of the county, including Bon Air , Eastland , and Ravenscroft . In 1981, a dispute between a local mining company and residents escalated and later became a Tennessee Supreme Court case known as Doochin v. Rackley. The disagreement began when

1560-523: Was the first known white settler of the area. White had moved his family to the Cumberland Mountains from Virginia in 1789. However, some historians suggest the county was named for Revolutionary War soldier James White , the founder of Knoxville . A temporary county seat was established near Rock Island , now in Warren County . Three years later a permanent county seat was established on

1600-466: Was tried by a military court, convicted and executed by hanging, one of only two Confederates executed for war crimes. He is buried in France Cemetery near Sparta. Over the subsequent decades, White County slowly rebuilt from the ashes of war. The county was connected to the outside world by railroad, mainly because of the booming coal mining industries being started on Bon Air Mountain. The mountain

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