James County

James County was a county in eastern Tennessee located between Bradley and Hamilton counties, encompassing a narrow strip of land. Ooltewah functioned as its administrative center during its 48 years of operation.

The Tennessee General Assembly established James County in 1871 by combining portions of Bradley County with the eastern third of Hamilton County. Financial difficulties led residents to vote for reintegration into Hamilton County in December 1919.

The county received its name from Reverend Jesse J James, a Methodist minister who moved to Chattanooga during the 1850s.

This former county is now part of Hamilton County and can be explored as part of the region's local history. Information about the territory is available through historical archives and local museums in the Chattanooga area.

Courthouse fires in 1890 and 1913 destroyed most of the county's administrative records, leaving minimal documentation. These losses make James County exceptionally difficult to research and a curious footnote in Tennessee history.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: 1871

Capital city: Ooltewah

GPS coordinates: 35.08300,-85.05000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00