McNairy County

McNairy County in southwestern Tennessee combines rolling countryside with farmland and natural forests spread across the region. The landscape features open fields and wooded areas that define the rural character of the area.

The county was founded in 1823 and named after Judge John McNairy, with Purdy as its original seat. This establishment marked the beginning of organized settlement in this part of southwestern Tennessee.

The Independent Appeal newspaper has been telling the stories of the community since the early 1900s and remains where locals find out what is happening around them. It reflects how people here stay connected to one another.

The area has local schools serving students from kindergarten through high school, showing that families maintain strong roots in their communities. Visitors should plan for a rural setting where driving between points takes time and services are spread out.

A science center in Leapwood preserves fossils from the time when this region was covered by an ancient sea. These remains show that visitors are standing in a place with a completely different past, millions of years old.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: October 8, 1823

Capital city: Selmer

Shares border with: Chester County, Alcorn County, Hardin County, Hardeman County

Website: http://mcnairycountytn.com

GPS coordinates: 35.18000,-88.56000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 02:02