Dandridge in Jefferson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge”

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 29, 2023

1. Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge” Marker

Inscription. Powerful Transformations Named for First Lady Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, the town of Dandridge became the Jefferson County seat in 1793. Dandridge spent almost 150 years as the center of government and commerce in Jefferson County. A threat to the town came in 1941, when Dandridge was slated to be one of the many East Tennessee communities flooded by the wartime Douglas Dam project. Dandridge leaders and residents petitioned political leaders, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, to save their town.

“Good News Came to Dandridge Monday afternoon… Dandridge is to be diked…we are thankful that our homes are to be preserved.”

Ruth Swann Goddard, editor, Dandridge Banner, March 28, 1942.

Making Way From April 1942 to July 1943, the TVA planned and built the Dandridge Dike. Made of earth and stone, the saddle dam is 50 feet high and 1,000 feet long. Eleven buildings had to be taken down or moved, and the TVA realigned three streets and two creeks for it.

“The planning commission…have made clear the disruptive effects upon the town, the loss of historic sites and the commercial center as well.”

TVA Chairman

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David E. Lilienthal, March 1942.

Good News TVA designed walkways, an overlook, and a parking area so the dike could also serve as a park for the Dandridge community.

Saving a Country, Saving a Historic Town Building the Douglas Reservoir meant flooding over 31,000 acres of prime riverside farmland and moving 3,000 people, dozens of cemeteries, and many businesses, roads, and bridges. Although elected officials opposed the project, in November 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt insisted the dam be built to meet the wartime need for electricity. Congress approved $32 million for the project in January 1942.

Erected 2020 by Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1942.

Location. 36° 0.845′ N, 83° 24.864′ W. Marker is in Dandridge, Tennessee, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Chestnut Hill Road (Tennessee Route 92) and Circle Drive, on the right when traveling north on Chestnut Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dandridge

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 29, 2023

2. Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge” Marker

TN 37725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Blant’s Hill (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Dike That Saved Dandridge (about 500 feet away); In Memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers Buried Here (about 500 feet away); Jefferson County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); J. C. Turnley's Mill Place Grindstone (about 600 feet away); Roper Mansion (about 700 feet away); Jefferson County Jail (about 700 feet away); Attack on Dandridge (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dandridge.

Related markers. Click

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 29, 2023

3. Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge” Marker

here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Additional keywords. Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge” | Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge”

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 29, 2023

4. Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge” Marker

Bridge over the French Broad River at Dandridge, TN and the Dandridge Dike image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2023

5. Bridge over the French Broad River at Dandridge, TN and the Dandridge Dike

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2023

6. Bridge over the French Broad River at Dandridge, TN and the Dandridge Dike

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on June 12, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 5, 6. submitted on June 12, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.