Mount Pleasant, Tennessee

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Mount Pleasant, Tennessee
City
Mount Pleasant Main Street, October 2016
Mount Pleasant Main Street, October 2016
Official seal of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee
Seal
Nickname(s): 
The Phosphate Capital of the World
Location of Mount Pleasant in Maury County, Tennessee.
Location of Mount Pleasant in Maury County, Tennessee.
Coordinates: 35°32′42″N 87°11′55″W / 35.54500°N 87.19861°W / 35.54500; -87.19861Coordinates: 35°32′42″N 87°11′55″W / 35.54500°N 87.19861°W / 35.54500; -87.19861
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountyMaury
Government
 • TypeCity Manager-Commission
 • City ManagerKate Collier
 • MayorBill White
Area
[1]
 • Total12.60 sq mi (32.64 km2)
 • Land12.58 sq mi (32.57 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
676 ft (206 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total4,561
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
4,897
 • Density389.36/sq mi (150.33/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38474
Area code(s)931
FIPS code47-51080[3]
GNIS feature ID1306783[4]
Websitewww.mtpleasant-tn.gov

Mount Pleasant is a city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States. Mount Pleasant was the birthplace of 19th-century writer and humorist Sam R. Watkins and formerly titled "The Phosphate Capital of the World." The population was 4,561 at the 2010 census, up from 4,491 in 2000.

History[]

Settlement of Mount Pleasant began in the early 19th century, and increased following the construction of the Military Road connecting Nashville and Madisonville, Louisiana, in 1817. By the time Mount Pleasant incorporated as a city in 1824, it was home to a store, tavern, and several churches.[5]

In 1895, brown phosphate rock was discovered in Mount Pleasant, leading to a mining boom, and giving the city its nickname. Within a few years, ten phosphate mining companies were operating in Mount Pleasant, producing over 25,000 tons per year. The city's population grew from 466 in 1890 to 2,007 in 1900. Phosphate mining remained a major part of the city's economy into the latter half of the 20th century.[5]

Geography[]

Mount Pleasant is located at

 WikiMiniAtlas
35°32′42″N 87°11′55″W / 35.54500°N 87.19861°W / 35.54500; -87.19861 (35.544977, -87.198683).[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 square miles (29 km2), of which 11.1 square miles (29 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.18%) is water. Mount Pleasant is situated in a relatively broad plain surrounded by low hills to the east, south, and west. U.S. Route 43 connects the city with Columbia to the northeast and Lawrenceburg to the south.

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890466—
19002,007330.7%
19101,973−1.7%
19202,0936.1%
19302,010−4.0%
19403,08953.7%
19502,931−5.1%
19602,921−0.3%
19703,53020.8%
19803,375−4.4%
19904,27826.8%
20004,4915.0%
20104,5611.6%
2019 (est.)4,897[2]7.4%
Sources:[7][8]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 4,491 people, 1,815 households, and 1,232 families residing in the city. The population density was 406.5 people per square mile (156.9/km2). There were 2,008 housing units at an average density of 181.8 per square mile (70.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.02% White, 23.45% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 1,815 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,004, and the median income for a family was $36,949. Males had a median income of $31,285 versus $22,599 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,345. About 14.9% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

The City of Mount Pleasant government consists of five elected commissioners, elected every four years. After each election, at the next scheduled commission meeting, the five commissioners vote on which commissioners will server as mayor and vice mayor. In case of tie or disagreement, the commission will continue nominating and voting until a majority vote is achieved for each position.

Current Mount Pleasant, Tennessee Commissioners

  • Bill White (Mayor)
  • Jacqueline Grandberry (Vice Mayor)
  • Willie Alderson[9]
  • Mike Davis
  • Eric Harvey[9]


The City Manager is selected, by the commission, and is hired on a variable year contract. The city managers is responsible for day to day operations of the city. Additionally, the city manager is the supervisor of all other city departments heads and staff.


City Managers of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee
City Manager Notes Start Date End Date
William C. Dunnebacke 02-19-1963 02-10-1964
Elizabeth Searson (interim) 02-08-1964 04-01-1964
W.C. Loden 04-01-1964 07-01-1966
Elizabeth Searson (interim) 05-24-1966 06-30-1966
Jay N. Sullivan 07-01-1966 10-14-1968
Elizabeth Searson (interim) 10-15-1968 03-01-1969
O.W. Thomas 03-02-1969 07-14-1975
Mike Brown 07-15-1975 09-11-1976
William Burgess Ralston (interim) 09-11-1976 10-04-1976
Carl Holder 10-04-1976 10-17-1978
Larry Holden (interim) 11-12-1978 01-08-1979
James R. Johnson 01-08-1979 09-01-1981
Larry Holden (interim) 09-11-1981 10-01-1981
Robert Murray 10-16-1981 06-30-2007
Debbie McMullin (interim) 07-01-2007 05-01-2008
Richard Goode 05-01-2008 06-30-2009
Debbie McMullin (interim) 06-30-2009 06-18-2010
Steve Huffer 06-18-2010 08-11-2011
Tommy G. Goetz (interim) 08-11-2011 01-01-2012
Michelle Williams 01-01-2012 07-21-2015
Mark Henderson (interim) 07-22-2015 11-03-2015
Michael Hay (interim) 11-03-2015 02-05-2016
Kate Collier 02-05-2016 Present
Mayors of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee
Mayor Start Date End Date
Dr. G. C. English 07-11-1940 07-11-1957
John W. Petty 07-23-1957 07-08-1963
Webb Williams 07-22-1963 06-20-1967
Dr. J. O. Williams, Jr 07-18-1967 06-30-1970
Jack Lightfoot 07-19-1970 07-15-1975
James L. (Jim) Bailey, Jr. 07-15-1975 07-19-1977
Ronald (Ronnie) Lankford 07-19-1977 01-26-1979
William H. Boyd 02-16-1979 07-19-1983
G. Ray Wilson 07-19-1983 12-31-1985
Willie B. Baker [10][11][12] 12-31-1985 07-18-1989
Willie Boyd [13] 07-18-1989 03-30-2006
Willie B. Baker 03-30-2006 07-17-2007
Richard A. Hendrix 07-17-2007 07-19-2011
Maury Colvett 08-11-2011 11-18-2014
Robert R. (Bob) Shackelford 11-18-2014 11-22-2016
James L. (Jim) Bailey, Jr. [14] 11-22-2016 12-18-2018
Bill White 12-18-2018 Present


Police Department[]

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was established in 1824.

  • 2014–Present — Michael Hay[15]

Fire Department[]

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department is a career fire department consisting of full-time and part time firefighters. The fire department was established in 1899.

  • 1988—2001 - M. H. "Cotton" Massey
  • 2001—2017 - Tim Smith
  • 2017—Present - Phillip Grooms[16]

Transportation[]

Mount Pleasant is located on Routes 243 and 166.

Mount Pleasant is also home to the .

Public transportation is provided by the Mule Town Trolley Service. The Mule Town Trolley connects people all across Maury County. The routes extend from Mount Pleasant to Columbia and on to Spring Hills. The fare is $1.00 each way and riders can request a stop anywhere along the trolley route. The trolley service is managed by the South Central Tennessee Development District.

See also[]

  • List of cities in Tennessee

References[]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Elizabeth Straw, Historic and Architectural Resources of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, National Register of Historic Places inventory form, January 1989.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  8. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Mt. Pleasant reelects two board members and welcomes two newcomers".
  10. ^ "Willie B. Baker". Columbia Daily Herald. September 20, 2012.
  11. ^ DuBois (2007–2008). "A RESOLUTION to recognize Mount Pleasant Mayor Willie Baker on the occasion of his retirement. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 667" (PDF). Tennessee State Legislature.
  12. ^ "Directory of Tennessee Municipal Officials 1988-89, page 128". University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 1989.
  13. ^ "Former mayor honored with sign". Columbia Daily Herald. April 24, 2014.
  14. ^ mchristen@c-dh.net, MIKE CHRISTEN. "Bailey accepts job as mayor of Mt. Pleasant". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  15. ^ "City names new police chief". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  16. ^ mchristen@c-dh.net, MIKE CHRISTEN. "Grooms named Mt. Pleasant fire chief". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 2017-08-16.

External links[]

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