Watertown, Tennessee

Watertown is a town located in Wilson County, Tennessee. The population was 1,358 at the 2000 census and 1,477 at the 2010 census. It is located southeast of Lebanon, and Northwest of Smithville.

Watertown, Tennessee
Town
Watertown Town Hall
Location of Watertown in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Coordinates: 36°6′0″N 86°8′14″W
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountyWilson
Settled1780[1]
Incorporated1905[2]
Named forWilson L. Waters, founder[1]
Area
 • Total1.44 sq mi (3.72 km2)
 • Land1.44 sq mi (3.72 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
653 ft (199 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,477
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
1,523
 • Density1,060.58/sq mi (409.46/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
37184
Area code(s)615
FIPS code47-78320[5]
GNIS feature ID1304411[6]
Websitewww.watertowntn.com

History

Prior to the town's establishment, the land was a Revolutionary War grant to Colonel Archibald Lytle and his brother William.[1]

Circa 1790, the grandparents of Watertown's founder, Wilson L. Waters, moved into the area. In 1845, the post office moved from nearby Three Forks to Wilson's store. Waters expanded his operations with a sawmill, gristmill and blacksmith shop. Waters' 400-acre (1.6 km2) farm eventually became Watertown.[1]

The Nashville and Knoxville Railroad built a depot in Watertown in 1885, making it the hub of business in the area. The increased business led to a doubling of the village's size.

In 1903, a fire swept through the wood structures of the village, destroying many businesses. During the recovery period following the fire, a town square surrounded by brick building was laid out, creating the core of the current city of Watertown.[1]

Geography

Watertown is located at 36°06′00″N 86°08′14″W (36.100039, -86.137102).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1910517—
192093380.5%
1930928−0.5%
1940908−2.2%
19509332.8%
1960919−1.5%
19701,06115.5%
19801,30022.5%
19901,250−3.8%
20001,3588.6%
20101,4778.8%
Est. 20191,523[4]3.1%
Sources:[8][9]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,358 people, 542 households, and 377 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.9 people per square mile (419.5/km2). There were 605 housing units at an average density of 482.9 per square mile (186.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.24% White, 6.11% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.66% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

First Baptist Church in Watertown

There were 542 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,662, and the median income for a family was $41,484. Males had a median income of $30,263 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,008. About 9.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and Entertainment
Watertown Historic District
  • Was the filming site of Dark Harvest 3: Skarecrow.
  • In 2003, the Stardust Drive-in theater opened in Watertown, a very unusual event since most drive-ins around the country have closed.[10]
  • The city is a frequent destination of excursion trains from nearby Nashville run by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.[11]
  • Watertown is noted for its annual Jazz Festival.[12]
  • The White Elephant Emporium in Watertown was featured in the episode "The Emu Chase" of American Pickers.
  • Fiction novelist D.M. Barrett, author of Equinox, Raven I & II, and Caliente, is from Watertown.

Music
  • In 1997, songwriter Tom T. Hall immortalized the city in a song titled appropriately, "Watertown, Tennessee".[13]
  • Taylor Swift filmed the music video for "Safe & Sound" in a forest in Watertown.
  • Country singer Garth Brooks filmed a Dr Pepper television commercial and his "Wrapped Up In You" music video on the town square in 2001.[14]
  • Portions of the music video for the song "Red High Heels" by Kellie Pickler was shot at Robinson Stadium, the Watertown High School football field.
  • Singer Justin Bieber filmed his music video for the song "One Less Lonely Girl". Filmed in Kleen O Matic Matic laundromat.
  • Darius Rucker filmed his music video for "Wagon Wheel" in Watertown, TN. Filmed in Kleen O Matic laundromat.
  • Tim McGraw filmed the video for his song "Southern Voice" on East Main St. in Watertown in 2009.
  • 2011 Chris Young filmed his video for the song [Young] on East Main St. at an abandoned gas station across from Oakley's Flower Shop.
  • Blanco Brown filmed The Git Up in Watertown.

References
  1. History of Watertown, Watertown official website. Retrieved: 1 March 2013.
  2. Tennessee Blue Book, 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.
  3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  9. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  10. "Media coverage of the Stardust Drive-In Theatre". Stardust Drive-In Theatre. Retrieved February 5, 2007.
  11. "Passenger Excursions". Tennessee Central Railway Museum. 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2007.
  12. watertownjazz.com
  13. "Tom T. Hall ~ Homegrown". Mercury - Nashville. July 14, 2003. Retrieved February 5, 2007.
  14. "Garth Brooks Production Takes Over Wilson County, TN Town". PlanetGarth.com. October 1, 2001. Retrieved February 5, 2007.

Media
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