White Pine, Tennessee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids White Pine
Town
S. State St./US 25E, facing north
Seal
Motto(s):  "Deeply Rooted in Heritage & Proudly Growing Toward the Future"
Location of White Pine in Jefferson and Hamblen counties in Tennessee
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
Counties	Jefferson, Hamblen
Settled	1780s
Founded	1870
Incorporated	1915
Named for	Eastern White Pine tree once prominently located in town's center
Government
• Type	Mayor-aldermanic
Area
• Total	2.87 sq mi (7.44 km2)
• Land	2.87 sq mi (7.44 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,148 ft (350 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,471
• Density	860.38/sq mi (332.16/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	37890
Area code(s)	865
FIPS code	47-80360
GNIS feature ID	2406879

White Pine is a town in Jefferson and Hamblen counties in Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Morristown metropolitan area. The population was 2,471 at the 2020 census.

History

Before the settlement of the area by European settlers, the White Pine area was inhabited by an early group of Woodland Indians. The area was used by the group as a site for several large burial grounds and a trail used later by settlers of the community.

European settlers first arrived in present day White Pine during the final years of the American Revolutionary War. The community was originally known as "Dandridge Crossing", based on its proximity to the Jefferson County seat, Dandridge. After the American Civil War, a railroad route was constructed in the area, crossing a prominent stagecoach path. The town was later founded in 1870 due to the growth of the area. The town was renamed to White Pine in 1873, after a large pine tree that once stood along Main Street. Twenty years later, White Pine was officially incorporated.

In 1905, a major portion of the town's downtown district was lost in a major fire, leading to the later dissolution of the town, In 1915, White Pine incorporated once again into a town after the completion of rebuilding efforts in the central business district. During the 19th and early 20th century, several businesses were established in the downtown area, including a medical clinic, a pharmacy, a hardware store, and a grocery store.

In 1926, White Pine High School was built in the town. It remained operational until 1976.

In 1963, construction began on Interstate 81 in White Pine. The later completion of I-81 prompted the relocation of businesses from White Pine's central business district to along the exits of I-81.

Geography

White Pine is located in northeastern Jefferson County at 36°6′31″N 83°17′31″W / 36.10861°N 83.29194°W / 36.10861; -83.29194 (36.108500, -83.291869). The town limits extend north to the Hamblen County line, crossing into Hamblen County at Interstate 81 exit 8.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 km²), all land.

It is about 40 miles (64 km) east of Knoxville. The Southern and Southeastern border of White Pine runs along the Douglas Lake.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,471 people, 852 households, and 509 families residing in the town.

Economy

Old Dominion Freight Line operates a regional logistics center in White Pine near exit 4 on I-81.

White Pine is also home to the Walters State Community College Great Smokies Mountain Expo Center. The Expo Center includes a 98,000 square-foot pavilion with a 300' x 150' show ring, seating for 3,900. Opened in 1996, the Expo Center hosts over 60 events each year, including horse and livestock shows, BMX racing, boat and RV shows, concerts, high school and college graduation ceremonies and rodeos.

Arts and culture

From 2019 to 2022, the town hosted the annual Lakeside of the Smokies Balloonfest, a hot air balloon festival dedicated to promoting the sport of hot air ballooning and the area's significant agriculture and heritage. It is considered to be the largest hot air balloon festival in Tennessee. Beginning in 2023 it moved to Dandridge.

Education

Public school

White Pine School (K-8) in White Pine is operated by the Jefferson County Schools District. White Pine high school students attend Jefferson County High School in neighboring Dandridge along with other students in the Jefferson County Schools District.

Private school

White Pine is also the location of Lakeway Christian Academy, a private Christian academy for students in grades 6-12. It opened in the summer of 2020.

Transportation

White Pine has two exits on Interstate 81 (Exits 4 and 8). I-81 leads northeast 73 miles (117 km) to Bristol and southwest 6 miles (10 km) to its southern terminus at Interstate 40. Via I-81 and I-40, Knoxville is 41 miles (66 km) southwest of White Pine.

Tennessee State Route 113 is White Pine's Main Street, runs northeast to US 25E and southwest 10 miles (16 km) to Dandridge. Tennessee State Route 341 (also known as White Pine Road, Roy Messer Highway and Old Airport Road) runs west to east through the western and southern parts of the town, connecting I-81 at Exit 4 with US 25E.

U.S. Route 25E/Tennessee State Route 32 runs south to north through the town and is known as State Street. US 25E leads north 8 miles (13 km) to Morristown and south 12 miles (19 km) to Newport. Tennessee State Route 66 runs through the a small portion of the western part of the town.

Media

• Jefferson County Post – County paper published online daily
• The Standard Banner– County paper published bi-weekly

See also

In Spanish: White Pine (Tennessee) para niños