Alpine Institute

The Alpine Institute is a historic district in the Alpine community of Overton County with multiple buildings spanning different periods. The site includes Christ Church Presbyterian, schoolhouses, and various outbuildings that reflect the layout of a rural educational complex.

A Presbyterian minister founded the Alpine School in 1821 as an educational facility for children in the remote Upper Cumberland region. Operations continued through generations and eventually expanded to multiple instruction levels before closing in 1947.

The institute provided education to remote hill country students, evolving from primary to collegiate instruction with an enrollment of 142 students and five faculty members.

The historic district sits along Highway 52 in the Alpine community and is accessed via a narrow road leading to the church and nearby buildings. Visitors should note that the location lies in hilly, somewhat remote terrain, so checking road conditions before arrival is advisable.

During the 1930s, the institution operated a dairy farm where students could work to help pay their tuition costs. This system allowed children from less wealthy families to gain an education they could not otherwise afford.

Location: Overton County

Address: State Route 52

GPS coordinates: 36.39306,-85.21889

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:20