Saltillo, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Saltillo is a town in Hardin County
, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 303 at the 2010 census. Saltillo is located on the left bank of the Tennessee River
, about 12 miles north of Savannah, Tennessee
.
and arrived in the area on a keelboat
with enough provisions to last one year, two men, Colonel John Holland and Parkerson Mitchell, to assist him, and four black men. The men arrived via Tennessee River
and built camp about half a mile from the river. Shannon's wife and seven children came by land with a drive of forty cattle. This cattle would serve as the starting point for Shannon to raise cattle for income, but the cattle were unable to adapt to the change in their environment and feeding. Within three months of grazing, 39 of the 40 cattle were dead. Shortly after the Shannon family's arrival, Shannon and his sons built a log cabin
in 1825, serving as the first house built in Saltillo. Shortly thereafter a store-house was built by Smith Hawkins for dry goods to be distributed, which were sold out within three months. The area where this store-house was built is now called Hawkin's Landing.
More settlers came to the area and another store was built a quarter mile south of the first store by Hawkin's brother, Perry. The first man to be killed in town was Simpson Lee, who was thrown off his horse. Barges began regularly delivering goods and residents would travel as far as the Duck River
for a grist mill. In 1842 Thomas Davy purchased the land once owned by Thomas Shannon and it was named Davy's Landing. In 1849 Davy leased the land to Scott Terry, who renamed the area Saltillo. The town was named Saltillo after Saltillo, Mexico by Terry, who was a veteran of the Mexican-American War. The Saltillo post office was opened in 1850.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 342 people, 155 households, and 93 families residing in the town. The population density
was 382.2 people per square mile (148.4/km2). There were 243 housing units at an average density of 271.6 per square mile (105.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 75.73% White, 23.39% African American, 0.29% Native American, and 0.58% from two or more races.
There were 155 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples
living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,583, and the median income for a family was $26,250. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,953. About 9.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.
and staves
as late as 1861. During this time period, the town had one Methodist church, a Masonic lodge
, two general stores, multiple grist mills, two saw mills, two tanneries and stave manufacturers and dealers. Saltillo was also described historically as a fishing town
.
and Greek Revival
buildings. The Parker House was built around 1906 by Luther Parker, a local doctor, and is now a bed and breakfast
. The Meady White House has Greek Revival and Italianate
influences and was built with slave labor in 1847 by Meady White, who helped found the town. Cemeteries are also located in the area, pre-dating the American Civil War
. The Saltillo Ferry is owned by Hardin County and operates daily allowing travelers to cross the Tennessee River, just outside of Savannah, to Saltillo.
Hardin County, Tennessee
Hardin County is a county located in the U.S. State of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 26,026. The Hardin County seat is Savannah. The county was named posthumously for Col. Joseph Hardin, a Revolutionary War soldier and a legislative representative for the Province of North Carolina and...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 303 at the 2010 census. Saltillo is located on the left bank of the Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
, about 12 miles north of Savannah, Tennessee
Savannah, Tennessee
Savannah is a city in Hardin County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 6,917 at the 2000 census and the 2007 population estimate was 7,262. It is the county seat of Hardin County. Savannah hosted the NAIA college football national championship game from 1996-2007. Savannah is home to...
.
History
Saltillo was founded by Thomas Shannon in October, 1822. He had left Davidson County, TennesseeDavidson County, Tennessee
Davidson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 626,681. Its county seat is Nashville.In 1963, the City of Nashville and the Davidson County government merged, so the county government is now known as the "Metropolitan Government of Nashville and...
and arrived in the area on a keelboat
Keelboat
Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of boats: one a riverine cargo-capable working boat, and the other a classification for small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yachts.-Historical keel-boats:...
with enough provisions to last one year, two men, Colonel John Holland and Parkerson Mitchell, to assist him, and four black men. The men arrived via Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
and built camp about half a mile from the river. Shannon's wife and seven children came by land with a drive of forty cattle. This cattle would serve as the starting point for Shannon to raise cattle for income, but the cattle were unable to adapt to the change in their environment and feeding. Within three months of grazing, 39 of the 40 cattle were dead. Shortly after the Shannon family's arrival, Shannon and his sons built a log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
in 1825, serving as the first house built in Saltillo. Shortly thereafter a store-house was built by Smith Hawkins for dry goods to be distributed, which were sold out within three months. The area where this store-house was built is now called Hawkin's Landing.
More settlers came to the area and another store was built a quarter mile south of the first store by Hawkin's brother, Perry. The first man to be killed in town was Simpson Lee, who was thrown off his horse. Barges began regularly delivering goods and residents would travel as far as the Duck River
Duck River (Tennessee)
The Duck River, long, is the longest river located entirely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. Free flowing for most of its length, the Duck River is home to over 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, making it one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America.The...
for a grist mill. In 1842 Thomas Davy purchased the land once owned by Thomas Shannon and it was named Davy's Landing. In 1849 Davy leased the land to Scott Terry, who renamed the area Saltillo. The town was named Saltillo after Saltillo, Mexico by Terry, who was a veteran of the Mexican-American War. The Saltillo post office was opened in 1850.
Geography
Saltillo is located at 35.380579°N 88.212119°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 342 people, 155 households, and 93 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 382.2 people per square mile (148.4/km2). There were 243 housing units at an average density of 271.6 per square mile (105.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 75.73% White, 23.39% African American, 0.29% Native American, and 0.58% from two or more races.
There were 155 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,583, and the median income for a family was $26,250. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $12,953. About 9.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economic history
Saltillo was a shipping point, distributing cottonCotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
and staves
Stave bearing
A stave bearing is a simple journal bearing where a shaft rotates in a bearing housing. Rather than the usual arrangement where the fixed part of the bearing surrounds most of the circumference of the shaft in one or two pieces, a stave bearing uses a large number of axial staves to support the shaft...
as late as 1861. During this time period, the town had one Methodist church, a Masonic lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
, two general stores, multiple grist mills, two saw mills, two tanneries and stave manufacturers and dealers. Saltillo was also described historically as a fishing town
Fishing town
Fishing Town or Fishing City , is one of the three great ancient battlefields of China. It is famous for its resistance to the Mongol armies in the latter half of the Song Dynasty...
.
Arts and culture
Architecture within the area reaches back to the 1840s, including an early farmhouseFarmhouse
Farmhouse is a general term for the main house of a farm. It is a type of building or house which serves a residential purpose in a rural or agricultural setting. Most often, the surrounding environment will be a farm. Many farm houses are shaped like a T...
and Greek Revival
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
buildings. The Parker House was built around 1906 by Luther Parker, a local doctor, and is now a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
. The Meady White House has Greek Revival and Italianate
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
influences and was built with slave labor in 1847 by Meady White, who helped found the town. Cemeteries are also located in the area, pre-dating the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The Saltillo Ferry is owned by Hardin County and operates daily allowing travelers to cross the Tennessee River, just outside of Savannah, to Saltillo.