Campbell County was created in 1806 from Anderson and Claiborne Counties. Campbell County was named in honor of Col. Arthur Campbell (1743-1811). Col. Campbell was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and an Officer during the Revolutionary War.

Native Americans first lived in this area and several settlements have been excavated. The largest known site was located at present day Cove Lake State Park. The natural beauty and abundant resources attracted settlers as early as 1740. Elk, deer, and buffalo were common both in the richly timbered mountains and wide well-watered valleys. Resources such as timber and later iron and coal were exploited. While such resources formed the basis of early industry, agriculture was the primary commercial activity until the 20th century.

Campbell County has been marked by steady growth as settlements grew along the rivers and other routes of travel. This growth was briefly interrupted during the American Civil War. Staunchly Unionist, Campbell County is credited with providing the first three (3) companies of Union volunteers from the state of Tennessee. Campbell County was also the home of Joseph A. Cooper, who rose to the rank of Maj. General in the Union Army. Major troop movements by both northern and southern armies passed through Campbell County but fortunately most ante-bellum homes were spared destruction and many may still be seen today.

After the Civil War, life slowly returned to normal. Then in 1936, the completion of Norris Dam on Campbell County’s southern border changed Campbell County forever. While many communities were flooded and farms lost, a beautiful lake with over eight hundred (800) miles of shoreline was formed. Today Norris Lake is a major tourist attraction with many modern resorts and fine homes located near the lake. Due to the creation of Norris Lake, tourism became a major industry and remains so today. With the construction of Norris Dam, as part of the WA project, affordable abundant electricity became available. Today WA is still one of the least expensive and most reliable suppliers of electricity in the country.

Campbell County has produced many notable leaders such as Congressman John Jennings and J. Will Taylor, Educator Burgin Dossett, Movie star Grace Moore, Maj. General Joseph A. Cooper, and Four Star General Carl Wade Stiner. The story of these and many others may be viewed daily free of charge at the Campbell County Museum and Archives located in LaFollette, Tennessee. Modern Campbell County offers superb roads such as I-75, abundant inexpensive electricity, modern schools, two state-of-the-art hospitals, and low taxes coupled with unspoiled mountain wilderness and eight hundred (800) miles of pristine shoreline. While Campbell County embraces its Appalachian heritage, progress leadership is charting a course towards a bright future.

Caryville

In 1806 the area was known as Wheeler’s Gap and was named so in honor of the Wheeler family who once owned over three thousand (3,000) acres in the area. With the construction of a railroad through the area about 1867, the area was called Wheeler’s Station.

A prominent Wheeler daughter married William Carey. As time passed the Carey family grew in both numbers and influence. Eventually a vote was held to choose a new name for the growing town. Caryville beat out Wheelerville by two votes. Since about 1880, the town has been known as Caryville.

Modern Caryville is dominated by two features, I-75 and Cove Lake State Park. I-75 was completed through Caryville in the late 1960’s. This additional traffic created many new business opportunities. From the original small town nestled next to the mountain, Caryville today spans two interstate exits. New homes are being built almost daily as new business opportunities abound.

Cove Lake State Park is manmade lake that was constructed in the mid-1930’s as part of the Norris Basin Project. Although Cove Lake is located next to I-75, it is still one of the area’s best kept secrets. Cove Lake State Park is rarely overcrowded and has a charm reminiscent of a quieter, less hurried time. The crown jewel of the park is the Cove Lake Restaurant which is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Nestled among the mountains and along a pristine lake, Caryville is quickly becoming a major tourist destination.

Jacksboro

Jacksboro is the county seat of Campbell County. In 1808 Col. Hugh Montgomery deeded sixty (60) acres of land in what was then known as Walnut Cove. The new town was named Jacksborough in honor of Judge John Jack of Rutledge. The first school house in Jacksboro was built by John Queener at a cost of $309.80. Completed about 1860, a later school, known as the Franklin Academy, was considered one of the best educational institutions in the area. Jacksboro was occupied by both the North and South during the Civil War and changed hands on several different occasions. Jacksboro was briefly the headquarters of General Felix Zollicoffer CSA and also served as the site of a Civil War hospital.

Numerous courthouses have occupied the current site with the present courthouse being a replacement for the one destroyed by fire in 1926. Later additions and renovations have occurred over the years and today the courthouse is a modern-up-to-date facility. The courthouse grounds also contain a monument to WWII veterans as well as a new veterans memorial with plans to begin construction on a rotunda as part of the veterans memorial complex.

While the old part of the City retains its original charm, the City of Jacksboro is experiencing an ongoing construction boom as new businesses and homes spring up almost daily. Thus, the Jacksboro of today well represents the blending of tradition with progress as befits the county seat.

Jellico

Jellico is named for Angelica root which grows in the area and may be made into an intoxicating beverage. Until 1883 the area was called Smithburg because of the number of people named Smith who lived there. Jellico was first incorporated in 1885. Jellico has always been a progressive community and once boasted an opera house and possibly the first commercial airport in Tennessee. Jellico was the childhood home of Grace Moore, a famous movie star and opera singer. So fine was her voice that she was called the Tennessee Nightingale. Jellico sits astride the Tennessee and Kentucky border with I-75 and US 25W passing through the City. Jellico has many modern amenities including an excellent hospital and is near a lovely state park. Today Jellico is a thriving town poised for continued economic growth.   Grace Moore

LaFollette

Campbell County’s largest town is also its most recent. LaFollette was originally built on rolling farm land that had belonged to Laban Sharp, John Myers, and John Douglas. Formerly the area was known as Big Creek Gap. Big Creek Gap was a natural pass through the mountains carved by Big Creek, which passes through the center of old LaFollette. During the American Civil War both sides fought for and occupied the gap and some of the trench works are still visible today.

In the summer of 1956, LaFollette Community Hospital opened with 44 beds, 41 employees and one delivery room. Four years later, a new wing was built adding 32 new beds and an emergency room.

LaFollette is a rarity in that the City was planned and built from scratch. LaFollette was named in honor of Harvey M. LaFollette of Indiana who conceived a bold business venture that included the construction of a City to support his planned business activities. Iron deposits along with abundant coal resources attracted Harvey LaFollette to this area where he purchased over thirty thousand (30,000) acres of land. The LaFollette Coal, Iron and Railway Company was organized and by 1897 was a growing concern as part of a thriving city. The LaFollette operation included coke ovens (some of which are currently being restored by the Campbell County Historical Society), blast furnace, numerous coal mines, iron mines, railroads, and of course a thriving city.

Harvey LaFollette and his family presided over this commercial empire from their home, Glen Oaks. This lovely Victorian home is still LaFollette’s largest home with twenty seven (27) rooms. Listed with the National Register of Historic Properties, the home was designed by the famous Knoxville architect, George Barber. Although later additions were made, the original house was shipped by railroad and assembled on site as a kit home. The house is located on Indiana Avenue near the Campbell County Museum and Archives.

Economic boom of the roaring ‘20s and most operations ceased around 1926.

LaFollette absorbed the loss of its primary business and continued to thrive, in part due to US 25W, also knows as the Dixie Highway, which passes through LaFollette. Over the year’s of progressive leadership and planning have kept LaFollette a thriving community with all the modern amenities expected of a progressive city. These amenities include a modern water treatment system, recently renovated hospital, and modern schools. LaFollette is located only minutes from mountains or Norris Lake and explains why today LaFollette is a major tourist destination.