Born August 18, 1774, in Ablemarle County, Virginia, Meriwether Lewis joined the Virginia militia in 1794 during the Whiskey Rebellion and in 1795 enlisted with the United States Army as a Lieutenant. In 1801, now Capt. Lewis was appointed aide to President Thomas Jefferson where he resided in the presidential mansion. After many talks with the President about an exploration to gather more information of the water systems, Meriwether Lewis was picked to lead an overland expedition to the Pacific Ocean in 1803. Lewis picked William Clark as co-leader of the expedition. After a year of studying with scientists, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or Corp of Discovery, ventured into the unknown in 1804 and returned safely home to a heroes welcome after a successful 2 year exploration. Upon their return to Washington D.C., the President awarded them with 1,600 acres of land and gave the Northern Louisiana Territory governorship to Meriwether Lewis. In 1809, Lewis was traveling the Old Trace en route to Washington D.C. regarding denied payments. Lewis had fallen ill and on the evening of October 10, 1809, Lewis and his party stopped at Grinder's Stand for the night. During the night, gunshots were heard and the next morning Lewis’ servants found him bleeding and fatally wounded from gunshots, dying a few hours later. Whether the great explorer was murdered or committed suicide is still a topic of controversy today. You can visit his gravesite and the monument placed over his grave at milepost 385.9 along the Natchez Trace Parkway.Visiting
Meriwether Lewis
Born August 18, 1774, in Ablemarle County, Virginia, Meriwether Lewis joined the Virginia militia in 1794 during the Whiskey Rebellion and in 1795 enlisted with the United States Army as a Lieutenant. In 1801, now Capt. Lewis was appointed aide to President Thomas Jefferson where he resided in the presidential mansion. After many talks with the President about an exploration to gather more information of the water systems, Meriwether Lewis was picked to lead an overland expedition to the Pacific Ocean in 1803. Lewis picked William Clark as co-leader of the expedition. After a year of studying with scientists, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or Corp of Discovery, ventured into the unknown in 1804 and returned safely home to a heroes welcome after a successful 2 year exploration. Upon their return to Washington D.C., the President awarded them with 1,600 acres of land and gave the Northern Louisiana Territory governorship to Meriwether Lewis. In 1809, Lewis was traveling the Old Trace en route to Washington D.C. regarding denied payments. Lewis had fallen ill and on the evening of October 10, 1809, Lewis and his party stopped at Grinder's Stand for the night. During the night, gunshots were heard and the next morning Lewis’ servants found him bleeding and fatally wounded from gunshots, dying a few hours later. Whether the great explorer was murdered or committed suicide is still a topic of controversy today. You can visit his gravesite and the monument placed over his grave at milepost 385.9 along the Natchez Trace Parkway.Tour Hohenwald & Lewis County brochure
A brand new guide, complete with directions, is available for all that would like to tour our area. Download the file here:
Hohenwald-Lewis County Tourism Brochure
The brochure is sure to please guests and local folks alike. You may request a copy be mailed to you by using our Contact Us form, CLICK HERE. A list of great restaurants and places to stay are included in the guide. Get yours today!
Festivals
Some of our most popular local events include:
Oktober Heritage Festival - second weekend in October
Lewis County attracts thousands of visitors to the downtown area for the Oktober Heritage Festival the second weekend in October each year. Arts, crafts, food and entertainment are just a few of the attractions. The Fall Classics Car and Truck Show takes place on Saturday of the event. The next event will take place on October 11-12, 2013. The 20th Annual Fall Classics Car and Truck Show will be on October 12, 2013.
Winterfest - first weekend in December
The Hohenwald/Lewis County Chamber 's Winterfest, held the first weekend in December in conjunction with the South Central Area Fair Board's Christmas Parade (on Thursday night prior), finds shops in and across the city decorated beautifully for the season and open late during the season.
Glitz and Glam--each April
Our jewelry and accessories show began in 2012. Being held each April, those visiting the show will find lots and lots of jewelry for sale. Also included in the show are cosmetics, aromatherapy items, hats, scarves, belts, sunglasses, and hair accessories. Click on our calendar of events to view date of the event.
For more information on any of these festivals, contact the Chamber office at 931-796-4084.
The Strand Art Gallery
Local, regional and national artists display artwork in the Strand Art Gallery. On any given day, visitors may find pieced handmade quilts, carefully rendered watercolor paintings, tasteful photography and other forms of visual arts created and sponsored by the abundant talent and effort of our community.
Located at 100 E. Main St., next to the Strand Theater in downtown Hohenwald, the Strand Art Gallery will always have something available for those who would like to visit and is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call for information about the latest exhibits at 931-295-3219.
The Strand Theatre
Restored in 2007 and located at 100 East Main St., the Strand Theatre in Hohenwald features live music, plays, and more throughout the year. The original structure was built in 1939 and is listed as an official city landmark in Hohenwald, Tennessee.
Unless otherwise indicated, all event tickets are available at the Strand Art Gallery, 100 E. Main St., Hohenwald. Call 931-295-3219, open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For a listing of events, call 931-295-3076.
The Strand Theatre is a project of the Hohenwald Arts Council.
Calico Junction Mule Ranch
Time slows down to a more relaxed pace at this ranch just west of the historical Natchez Trace Parkway. It calls to you to come experience trails, adventures and camps just outside Hohenwald. Calico Junction Mule Ranch has over 100 miles of trails, with new trails being put in every year on its spacious 2500 acres. Take a trail ride through the trees and meadows and see the ponds, springs, and waterfalls. This is a great place to go and relax on horseback during a wonderful trail ride. Try a wagon ride. For those who enjoy being in the wild outdoors overnight, Calico Junction offers primitive camping.
Looking over the pastures, you will see over 100 head of horses, mules and donkeys. Check out the sale barn while you are visiting and look at the fine animals offered to cow girls and boys of all ages.
Contact Jim and Nancy Nothstein at Calico Junction Mule Ranch, 142 Grassy Valley Rd., Hohenwald. 931-796-4111, 615-268-6269, 615-268-9300.
Natchez Trace Parkway
The 444-mile Parkway follows one of the four oldest trails in North America from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, and is the seventh most visited National Park in the United States. Hohenwald is one of the towns closest to the Parkway.
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee was founded in 1995, and has become the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically to meet the needs of endangered elephants. The Sanctuary is a non-profit organization, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and is designed specifically for old, sick or needy elephants who have been retired
Amish and Mennonite Community
Several Amish and Mennonite families have purchased farms on Highway 20 (near Summertown) to create a settlement.
Amish and Mennonite families often make and sell products to the general public and give a glimpse of their unique way of life. Many garden vegetables and berries are available in season. A short drive to this area and you will see their many signs letting the public know what is currently available. Yoder's Homestead Market is located at 3555 Summertown Hwy. (TN Hwy 20 E) selling homebaked pastries, breads and other foods. They can be contacted by calling 931-796-1646.
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