Fentress County

Fentress County spreads across the Cumberland Plateau with valleys, forests, and natural rock formations characteristic of the region. The county encompasses rolling terrain interspersed with open farmland and wooded areas that define its landscape.

Established in 1823, this county was named for James Fentress, a politician who championed its creation from portions of Morgan and Overton counties. The formation reflected growing settlement patterns in the mountain region during the early 1800s.

The county maintains strong connections to American literature through John Clemens, father of Mark Twain, who served as the first circuit court clerk in Jamestown. This heritage remains visible in local monuments and stories that visitors encounter today.

The county is accessed via U.S. Route 127, which runs north-south through Jamestown and connects to regional destinations in Tennessee and Kentucky. Visitors should expect rural roads that wind through forests and farmland, with amenities concentrated around the main towns.

The area is known for its numerous natural springs, including preserved historic ones found in parks like Mark Twain City Park near the Jamestown courthouse. These water sources have shaped settlement patterns and daily life here since early times.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: November 28, 1823

Capital city: Jamestown

Shares border with: Pickett County, Cumberland County, Scott County, Morgan County, Putnam County, Overton County

Website: https://fentresscountytn.gov

GPS coordinates: 36.38056,-84.93250

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:06