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Kingsport, Tennessee

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Kingsport, Tennessee
City
A Fun Fest balloon floats over Kingsport, Tennessee
A Fun Fest balloon floats over Kingsport, Tennessee
Nickname: 
The Model City
Location in the state of Tennessee
Location in the state of Tennessee
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountiesSullivan, Hawkins
Settled:1771
Chartered/Rechartered:1822, 1917
Government
 • TypeCity Manager / Board of Mayor and Aldermen
 • MayorJohn Clark
Area
 • City
45.0 sq mi (116.6 km2)
 • Land44.1 sq mi (114.4 km2)
 • Water0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2)
Elevation
1,211 ft (369 m)
Population
 (2010)[1]
 • City
48,205
 • Estimate 
(2013[2])
52,962
 • RankUS: 694th
 • Density1,018.9/sq mi (393.4/km2)
 • Urban
106,571 (US: 291st)
 • Metro
309,283 (US: 161st)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
37660, 37662, 37663, 37664, 37665 & 37669
Area code423
FIPS code47-39560
GNIS feature ID1303478[3]
Websitehttp://www.KingsportTN.gov

Kingsport is a city in Sullivan and Hawkins counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee with most of the city being in Sullivan County. The population according to the 2010 census is 48,205.[1]

Kingsport is the largest city in the Kingsport–Bristol–Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which had a population of 309,544 as of 2010.[4] The Metropolitan Statistical Area is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region. Census data from 2006–2008 for the Tri-Cities Combined Statistical Area estimates a population of 496,454.

Kingsport is commonly included in what is known as the Mountain Empire, which spans a portion of Southwest Virginia and the mountainous counties in Tennessee to the east. The name "Kingsport" is a simplification of "King's Port", originally referring to the area on the Holston River known as King's Boat Yard, the head of navigation for the Tennessee Valley.

History

The North and South Forks of the Holston River converge on the west end of what is now Kingsport, and the town itself was known in 1787 as "Salt Lick" along the banks of the South Fork, about a mile from the confluence. The Long Island of the Holston River is near the confluence, which is mostly within the corporate boundaries of Kingsport. The island was an important site for the Cherokee, colonial pioneers and early settlers, specifically mentioned in the 1770 Treaty of Lochaber. Early settlements at the site were used as a staging ground for people taking the Wilderness Road leading to Kentucky through Cumberland Gap. First chartered in 1822, Kingsport became an important shipping port on the Holston River. Goods originating for many miles from the surrounding countryside were loaded onto barges for the journey downriver to the Tennessee River at Knoxville.

Kingsport in 1937

In the Battle of Kingsport (December 13, 1864) during the American Civil War, a force of 300 Confederates under Colonel Richard Morgan (1836–1918) stopped a larger Union force for nearly two days. An army of over 5,500 troops under command of Major General George Stoneman (1822–1894) had left Knoxville, Tennessee, to raid Confederate targets in Virginia: the salt works at Saltville, the lead works at Wytheville and the iron works in Marion. While Col. Morgan's small band held off a main Union force under Major General Cullem Gillem on the opposite side the Holston River, Col. Samuel Patton took a force of cavalry to a ford in the river 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north and came down behind the Confederates. Out-numbered, out-flanked and demoralised by the bitter winter weather, Col. Morgan surrendered. The Confederates suffered 18 dead, and 84 prisoners of war were sent to a Union prison in Knoxville.[5]

The young town lost its charter after a downturn in its fortunes precipitated by the Civil War.

On September 12, 1916, Kingsport residents demanded the death of circus elephant Mary (an Asian elephant who performed in the Sparks World Famous Shows Circus) for her killing of city hotel worker Walter Eldridge, who was hired the day before as an assistant elephant trainer by the circus. Eldridge was killed by Mary in Kingsport while he was taking her to a nearby pond. Mary was impounded by the local sheriff, and the leaders of several nearby towns threatened not to allow the circus to visit if Mary was included. The circus owner, Charlie Sparks, reluctantly decided that the only way to quickly resolve the situation was to hold a public execution. On the following day, she was transported by rail to Erwin, Tennessee, where a crowd of over 2,500 people assembled in the Clinchfield Railroad yard to watch her hang from a railroad crane.[6]

Re-chartered in 1917, Kingsport was an early example of a "garden city", designed by city planner and landscape architect John Nolen of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It carries the nickname the Model City from this plan, which organized the town into areas for commerce, churches, housing and industry. The result included some of the earlier uses of traffic circles (roundabouts) in the United States. Kingsport was among the first municipalities with a city manager form of government and a school system built on a model developed at Columbia University. Most of the land on the river was devoted to industry. Indeed, most of The Long Island is now occupied by Eastman Chemical Company, which is headquartered in Kingsport.

Pal's Sudden Service, a regional fast-food restaurant chain, opened its first location in Kingsport in 1956.

Geography

Kingsport is located at 36°32′N 82°33′W / 36.533°N 82.550°W / 36.533; -82.550 (36.5369, −82.5421),[7] at the intersection of U.S. Routes 11 and 23. Kingsport is the northwest terminus of Interstate 26.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.0 square miles (116.6 km²) of which 44.1 square miles (114.1 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) (2.07%) is water.

Neighborhoods

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19205,692—
193011,914109.3%
194014,40420.9%
195019,57135.9%
196026,31434.5%
197031,93821.4%
198032,0270.3%
199036,36513.5%
200044,90523.5%
201048,2057.3%
2015 (est.)53,014[8]10.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
2013 Estimate[2]

As of the census of 2000, there were 44,905 people, 19,662 households and 12,642 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,018.9 per square mile (393.4/km²). There were 21,796 housing units at an average density of 494.6 per square mile (191.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.32% White, 4.22% African American, 0.79% Asian, 0.24% American Indian/Alaska Native, 0.02% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 0.34% some other race, and 1.06% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 19,662 households of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22, and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,524, and the median income for a family was $40,183. Males had a median income of $33,075 versus $23,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,549. About 14.2% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of Mayor and Alderman

Kingsport uses the Council-Manager system which was established in 1917 when the city was re-chartered. Kingsport is governed locally by a seven-member Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The citizens elect the mayor to a two-year term and the six aldermen to four year terms. The elections take place in odd numbered years with the mayor and three aldermen elected every two years. New terms begin on July 1. The Board then elects a vice mayor from the six aldermen. As of 2015 the board is composed of Mayor John Clark, Vice Mayor Mike McIntire, Aldermen Colette George, Tom Parham, Michele Mitchell, Tommy Olterman and Darrell Duncan.[10]

State government

The Sullivan County portion of Kingsport is represented in the Tennessee House of Representatives by the 1st and 2nd State Representative Districts, and the Hawkins County portion by the 6th district. Currently serving in these positions are Representatives Jon Lundberg, Tony Shipley, and Dale Ford respectively.[11] In the Tennessee State Senate, the Sullivan County portion of Kingsport is represented by the 4th Senatorial District and the Hawkins County portion by the 8th district. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and State Senator Frank Niceley currently serve in these positions. All of these elected officials are members of the Republican Party.[12]

National government

Kingsport is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Republican Phil Roe of the 1st congressional district.[13]

Education

Colleges and universities

While no college or university houses its main campus within the city, these institutions have branch campuses in Kingsport:

King, Lincoln Memorial, Milligan, Northeast State, Tusculum and Tennessee are all located in the Kingsport Center for Higher Education complex in downtown Kingsport.[14] East Tennessee State is located in the (western) Hawkins County portion of the city.

Kingsport City Schools

Residents of Kingsport are served by the Kingsport City Schools public school system which operates eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. In addition, Kingsport has eight private academies, most with religious affiliation.

List of Kingsport city schools
  • John Adams Elementary School
  • Andrew Jackson Elementary School
  • Andrew Johnson Elementary School
  • John F. Kennedy Elementary School
  • Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
  • Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
  • George Washington Elementary School
  • Ross N. Robinson Middle School
  • John Sevier Middle School
  • Dobyns-Bennett High School
  • Cora Cox Academy (formerly New Horizons Alternative School)
  • Innovation Academy of Northeast Tennessee - focuses mainly on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Former school for African-Americans

Douglass High School in Kingsport was one of the largest African-American high schools in the region when it closed for desegregation in 1966.[15] The school's former building on East Walnut Avenue (now East Sevier Avenue) was a historic Rosenwald School, built in 1929–30 with a combination of funds from the city, private citizens and the Rosenwald Fund. Although during the years of segregation the Douglass Tigers football team was not allowed to play white teams, the Tigers won a Tennessee state football championship and a state basketball championship in 1946, and a state basketball championship in 1948. The present building, built in 1951 at 301 Louis Street, is now the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex, named for Douglass' former principal, and home to most of Kingsport's non-profit agencies, a Parks and Recreation extension, as well as home to the Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Incorporated, administrators of the Douglass Alumni Association – Kingsport, an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

Medical

Kingsport is the location of two hospitals:

  • Holston Valley Medical Center – A regional Level I trauma center
  • Indian Path Medical Center

Military

  • The vessel SS Kingsport Victory, which later became USNS Kingsport, was named in honor of the city.

Notable people

Local media

Newspapers

Television

Kingsport shares a television market with Johnson City and Bristol, VA. WCYB-TV (NBC; CW on DT2) in Bristol, WEMT (Fox) in Greeneville, WETP-TV (PBS) in Sneedville and WJHL-TV (CBS; ABC on DT2) in Johnson City all serve Kingsport.

AM Radio

FM Radio

Sports

The Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League, a rookie-level baseball league, play in the city. An affiliate of the New York Mets, the team has competed in the city since 1969, with the exception of 1983. The Mets play in Hunter Wright Stadium named after former Mayor Hunter Wright.[17]

Economy

Eastman Chemical Company is headquartered in Kingsport.[18] Domtar operates the Kingsport Mill at which the company produces uncoated freesheet.[19] Holston Army Ammunition Plant operated by BAE Systems' Ordnance Systems, Inc. manufactures a wide range of secondary detonating explosives for the Department of Defense.[20]

Recreation

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation manages several parks within the city.

  • Bays Mountain Park
  • Borden Park
  • Dogwood Park
  • Kingsport Greenbelt Walking/Cycling Trail
  • Riverview Splash Pad
  • Scott Adams Skate Park

Kingsport Police Department

Kingsport Police Department
AbbreviationKPD
Agency overview
Formed1917
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionKingsport, Tennessee, United States
General nature
Operational structure
Sworn members99
Unsworn members57
Agency executive
  • David Quillin, Chief
Website
http://police.kingsporttn.gov

Kingsport Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency for Kingsport, Tennessee.[21] The current chief is David Quillin.[22]

In 2006, the KPD consisted of 104 sworn officers, 44 full-time non-sworn officers, and 17 part-time non sworn officers.[23] The budget for 2005 was $8,602,800.[24] The KPD has twelve SWAT members that train regularly. KPD SWAT responded to thirteen emergency calls during 2005.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Demographic Profile Data, Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area
  5. ^ Thomas R. Ramsey, Jr., "The Raid," (Kingsport Press, 1973)
  6. ^ Schroeder, Joan V. Blue Ridge Country "Day They Hanged an Elephant in East Tennessee"
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  9. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  10. ^ Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen
  11. ^ Tennessee House of Representatives, Members
  12. ^ Tennessee State Senate, Members
  13. ^ Congressman Phil Roe Tennessee's 1st District – About the 1st District
  14. ^ http://www.kingsporthighered.org/about_us.php
  15. ^ Waymarking: Douglass High School (1926–1966)
  16. ^ http://www.wheaties.com/profile/blake-leeper/
  17. ^ http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20130710&content_id=53308556&fext=.jsp&sid=t506&vkey=
  18. ^ http://www.eastman.com/Company/About_Eastman/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  19. ^ http://www.domtar.com/en/contacts/paper-mill_kingsport.asp
  20. ^ http://www.jmc.army.mil/Installations.aspx?id=Holston
  21. ^ Kingsport Police Department
  22. ^ Kingsport Police Department, History
  23. ^ Kingsport Police Department, Annual Report
  24. ^ Kingsport Police Department, Budget
  25. ^ Kingsport Police Department, Swat Team

Further reading

  • Long, Howard. Kingsport: A Romance of Industry. Overmountain Press (October 1993) 304 pages. ISBN 0-932807-89-5
  • Spoden, Muriel Millar Clark. The Long Island of the Holston: Sacred Island of the Cherokee Nation. (1977) 32 pages. ASIN: B0006WOGAM
  • Wolfe, Margaret Ripley. Kingsport Tennessee: A Planned American City. University Press of Kentucky (November 1987) 259 pages. ISBN 0-8131-1624-4
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kingsport.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kingsport, Tennessee.
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