Montgomery County is a beautiful region of north-central Tennessee. The estimated population of the county in 2004 was 142,204, a 5.5% increase from the 2000 census. Much of the early wealth of Clarksville, the major city in Montgomery County, came from the tobacco market. Montgomery County has rolling hills, and rivers, and there is abundant recreation in the vicinity. Hunting, fishing and boating are very popular outdoor activities. For attractions and culture, Nashville is within an hour’s drive of most areas in the county.
Location
Montgomery County is one of 95 counties in Tennessee. It is located in the north-central area of the state, bordering the state of Kentucky to the north.
Montgomery County is in the Clarksville metropolitan area. Clarksville is the main city in Montgomery County. Other towns in the county include: Cunningham, Palmyra, Saint Bethelem, Southside, and Woodlawn.
Geography/Terrain
Montgomery County has a total land area of 544 square miles. The county is in a region of karst topography, with a cave system named Dunbar Cave. Karst topography is a landscape that has obvious dissolution patterns, which often include underground drainages. Karst land forms are usually the result of (mildly) acidic rain falling on bedrock of soluble limestone or dolostone. The reservoirs of Montgomery County include Lake Site Number Three, Cunningham Broadbent Lake, and Lake Taal.
Jobs
The average commute for residents of Montgomery County is 25 minutes.
The major industries providing employment in Clarksville (the largest in the county) are educational, health and social services (21.3%), manufacturing (16.1%), and retail trade (13.6%). Clarksville is also the main business address for Legends Financial Holdings, Inc. (State Commercial Banks).
Housing
Housing prices are still very reasonable in Montgomery County. Even in the capital city of Clarksville, single-family detached homes can be purchased for under $100,000. There are many options for residential living including established homes in older neighborhoods, subdivisions with new construction, and custom built homes with floor plans to choose from and pre-purchase. The range of home prices in Montgomery County is from less than $100,000 to over $1,000,000.
Recreation
The parks in Montgomery County include Port Royal State Park, which is the 26 acre site of one of Tennessee’s earliest communities and trading centers. It is an area rich in history that includes part of the route taken by the Cherokee Indians when they were removed from the area, called the Trail of Tears. Other natural areas in the county include Hematite Recreation Area, and Smith Branch Recreation Area.
Sports fans will enjoy the thrills of the Nashville Superspeedway, and Tennessee Titans football games.
Equestrians will appreciate the Tennessee Walking Horse Trail.
Golfers in Montgomery County will enjoy the courses in Clarksville comprised of two public golf courses (the Mason Rudolph Golf Course, which has 9 holes, and the Swan Lake Municipal Golf Course, which is an 18-hole course). Additionally, Eastland Green South is a semi-private golf course, with a total of 27 holes on two courses. The Clarksville Country Club is a private club, with an 18-hole golf course.
Special Attractions/Events
Montgomery County is located in “Middle Tennessee”, one of three regions that also include “West Tennessee” and “East Tennessee”. Nashville is located in Middle Tennessee, with its rich musical heritage, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Visitors will want to see the state capital building in Nashville, or follow history by visiting the many famous historic battlefields in the region.
Two of America’s most famous whiskey distilleries are also located in Montgomery County: Jack Daniels and George Dickel.
In Clarksville, history buffs will enjoy the Clarksville-Montgomery County Museum, Fort Defiance, and Port Royal State Historic Park.
On the Cumberland River, there are riverboat rides available on the “Queen of Clarksville”, which has its port along the Cumberland Riverwalk.
Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Montgomery County was named for Colonel John Montgomery, a settler who founded the city of Clarksville.
The area is rich in history, and there are many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the sites from the 19th century include: the Clarksville Architectural District, the Clarksville Federal Building, the Clarksville Foundry and Machine Works, Clarksville High School, and the Clarksville Industrial District.
Montgomery County also has many religious buildings on the National Register of Historic Places including White Chapel (also called Grace Chapel), Trinity Church and Rectory, St. Peter African Methodist Church, and the Immaculate Conception Church.
Numerous private homes and small secondary buildings are also set apart as historic residences.