Fentress County Historical Society

08/31/2026

The Crowley Hotel was built in the early 1900's by James H. Crowley of Canada. It was sold to W.M. Johnson in 1912. It was sold several times after that and had seversl names- Johnson Hotel, Short Hotel and Mark Twain Hotel.

08/28/2026

The Union Bank Buildings and Surroundings
The Bank of Jamestown was chartered in 1904. In 1921 this building was it's last location. It became the Union Bank. At the right of the bulding was Dr. Chism's Office. To the left across the street was a dwelling and a boarding house with a slab roof.

08/24/2026

Reagan Building, 103 Smith Street
The L.T. Smith store and livery stable, later sold to Stephen Frogge, was burned after an explosion. W. C. Smith, L.T. Smith's son, bought the property and built a store on the site. It was later purchased by J.B. Reagan who contructed the present building. Fentress County now owns the building and it is presently the site of the Fentress County Historical Society and the County Archives.

08/21/2026

The Erwin House was a hotel lodging and store owed by Wade Erwin. Erwin was born in 1819 and came to Jamestown as a young boy. A 1893 article in the Chattanooga Times describes it as having fifteen or twenty very old small houses, some log and some frame, built at different times and joined together by covered passageways and halls. The general store is described as "worth a long ride to see". The Erwin House was on the site of the Johnson Bulding across from the courthouse.

08/21/2026

Our County Historian Wanda Hatfield went to be with Jesus at 1:30 this morning. Viewing and Funeral at Jennings Funeral Home in Jamestown, Sunday 23rd noon to 2pm funeral at 2.

08/18/2026

This Thursday Aug 20th 2026 at the Historical Society next door to Dairy Mart at 4pm.

The Fentress County Historical Society would love the opportunity to show you how you can learn about our county's history, your family's genealogy, or the history of your domain while giving some of your time to do the same for others. Please plan to come to our informational meeting, learn, have fun with us and support the Historical Society.

08/18/2026

Looking for names, 1948-49 Frogge's Chapel School.

08/17/2026

The Cravens 5-10 Store, according to Albert Hogue, served as a store site for over 100 years. Many people operated a store there; Steimer and Bowmer, Dr. Graham (drug store), Hurst and Green Yelton, and Sam McDonald. L.T. Smith's law office was upstairs. This building was on the current site of the parking lot on the corner of Livingston Avenue and Main Street.

08/17/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV16HPVwR4g&t=40s

On November 29, 1868, a brutal axe attack shattered the small commu...