Polk County Government

Polk County Tennessee Government Information

Polk County is located on the southeastern corner of Tennessee and is bordered by North Carolina and Georgia. The county was established in 1839 and named in honor of Governor and President James K. Polk. The county seat is Benton. One of the most prominent industries in the county’s history has been copper mining, first discovered at Ducktown in 1843, which significantly shaped the region’s landscape.

In addition to copper mining, Polk County has three hydroelectric plants on the Ocoee River and one on the Hiwassee River operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Polk County has eight Century Farms, with the oldest—Boyd Farm—established in 1838. Additional historical information can be found at the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History & Culture.

Historic Polk County

Soon after the Great Removal of the Cherokees to the West, Polk County was formed by an act of the Tennessee legislature on November 2, 1839, from land taken from Bradley and McMinn Counties. It encompasses 439 square miles and is bordered by North Carolina to the east, Georgia to the south, Monroe and McMinn Counties to the north, and Bradley County on the west.

Most histories say the county has three rivers that flow through our boundaries, but there are actually four: the Ocoee, Hiwassee, Conasauga, and the Jacks River. The Ocoee River hosted the whitewater events for the 1996 U.S. Summer Olympics. The Hiwassee River is a favorite venue for fishermen and for locals and visitors to leisurely float in rafts or tubes and enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the way. The Conasauga River is known for its aquatic biodiversity and is the only stream in the state that does not flow into the Mississippi River, instead draining into the Gulf of Mexico.

Added to those four rivers are numerous streams and lakes, including those of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which—along with the towering Chilhowee, Big Frog and Little Frog Mountains—makes for some of the best floating, boating, hiking, biking, picnicking, and trail walking that can be found anywhere.

Polk County is divided geographically by the Ocoee River Gorge and Chilhowee Mountain into two sections, normally referred to as East and West Polk or “above the mountains” (Copperhill/Ducktown area) and “below the mountains” (Benton and surrounding communities). Visitors to the county will want to explore both sections, with the copper mining industry history highlighted at the Ducktown Basin Museum located on the site of the old Burra Burra Mine.

One of the oldest historic buildings in West Polk County is Fort Marr, a blockhouse dating back to around 1814. Soldiers carrying supplies to the troops during the Creek Wars often needed an overnight refuge while traveling on the old Federal Road which traverses the county. It can be seen at the Ranger Station at Gee Creek just off Highway 411 North.

Cherokee Peacemaker and Beloved Woman Nancy Ward is buried on a hill overlooking the Ocoee River just south of the town of Benton, and stands as a reminder of our Native American heritage and the land which was the “happy hunting ground” of the Cherokees.

Agriculture has been the main industry in Polk County from its founding, and while not currently as large as in early days, is still important. Dairy and poultry farming, soybean production and other agricultural endeavors are still carried on in the county.

Steeped in the past, invested in the future, Polk County is not only an exciting place to visit, but is equally a most enjoyable place to live and raise families in a healthy and safe environment.

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Images Courtesy of Polk County News and Polk County High School