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Loudon, Tennessee

Loudon County’s seat on the Tennessee River — a restored 1872 courthouse, the 1909 Lyric Theatre, riverfront parks and a Civil War bridge story, with Tellico Lake and Lenoir City close by.

City · incorporated 1850Seat of Loudon County →Pop. 5,991 (2020)Eastern time (ET)Things to do ↓Eat & drink ↓Places to stay ↓Events ↓A short history ↓City hall & resources ↓

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · all times Eastern (ET) · sources at the bottom

In 30 seconds
  • Why stop: walk the courthouse square and Wharf Street, catch a show at the Lyric, put a boat in at Riverside Park or play disc golf at Loudon Municipal Park, then head for Tellico Lake.
  • Before you go: Loudon is on Eastern time (ET). City Hall is open weekdays 8 AM–4:30 PM ET, and Tuesday, Nov. 3, is a city election day.
  • Don’t confuse: the city of Loudon (about 6,000 people) is the county seat — not Lenoir City, the county’s largest city, and not Loudoun County, Virginia. Fort Loudoun, spelled with an extra o, is a state park in Vonore.

Visitor directory

Things to do in and around Loudon

In town

  • Loudon County Courthouse & the square ↗The courthouse on the downtown square was finished in 1872 to a plan by A. C. Bruce and has been the county’s seat of government ever since (Tennessee Encyclopedia). A fire on April 23, 2019, caused more than $1 million in damage; after a long restoration it reopened to the public on April 26, 2025 (Tennessee General Assembly resolution). Shops and cafés line Grove, Mulberry and Wharf streets around it. ⓘ source
  • Lyric Theatre ↗320 Grove St, downtown · a historic theater built in 1909 that hosts concerts, art shows and festivals (Visit Loudon County). ⓘ source
  • Riverside Park & Legion Park ↗On the Tennessee River at 899 Main St: a boat launch and dock, fishing piers, grills and a picnic shelter for about 40. Nearby Legion Park (201 Ferry St) has a ball field, a 0.43-mile walking trail, two playgrounds and a skate park. Shelters are free to reserve — (865) 458-7525. ⓘ source
  • Loudon Municipal Park ↗1470 Roberson Springs Rd: a four-field baseball complex, an 18-hole disc golf course, soccer and sand volleyball, a 0.50-mile walking track and a 2-mile nature trail, a dog park, and the Tate & Lyle Performing Arts Center amphitheater. In December it hosts the Loudon Lights drive- or walk-through display. ⓘ source
  • Liberty Park & the city pool ↗1051 Mulberry St: the city pool with a kiddie pool and slides (summer), plus tennis and basketball courts, a softball field, a playground and a 0.40-mile jogging trail. ⓘ source
  • Loudon railroad bridge (Civil War Trails) ↗A Civil War Trails stop at 155 Natalie Blvd tells the story of the only East Tennessee railroad bridge across the Tennessee River, which both armies fought to control (see the history below). ⓘ source
  • Loudon Public Library ↗210 River Rd · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM ET, Sat 9 AM–2 PM ET, closed Sunday · Wi-Fi in the building and parking lot around the clock · 865-458-3161. ⓘ source

Nearby: Tellico, Lenoir City & the lakes

  • Tellico Village & the East Lakeshore Trail ↗Not in Loudon — east of town on Tellico Lake: the lakeside Tellico Village community and the 31-mile East Lakeshore Trail, a National Recreation Trail with eight segments and nine trailheads. ⓘ source
  • Windy Hill Farm and PreserveNot in Loudon — out Poplar Springs-Blair Bend Rd (1180): a resort that runs the Windy Hill Concert Series of independent and Americana acts on its Granary Stage · (865) 657-1700. ⓘ source
  • Lenoir City ↗Not in Loudon — the county’s largest city, upriver: the Lenoir City Museum, the 3.3-mile paved Town Creek Greenway and Fort Loudoun Dam. See our Loudon County guide for more. ⓘ source
  • Sweetwater Valley Farm, Philadelphia ↗Not in Loudon — a cheese farm and store at 17988 W Lee Hwy in the city of Philadelphia · (865) 458-9192. ⓘ source
  • Fort Loudoun & the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore ↗Not in Loudon — in Monroe County on Tellico Lake: the reconstructed 18th-century British fort (the park closes to the public Sat Nov 14 for a hunt and reopens Nov 15) and the museum of Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee writing system. Both are on the City of Loudon’s area-attractions list. ⓘ source

Eat & drink

  • Angie’s Kitchen502 Grove St · (865) 657-9727. ⓘ source
  • Tic Toc Ice Cream Parlor504 Grove St · (865) 408-9867. ⓘ source
  • Coffee Culture Loudon404 Wharf St. ⓘ source
  • Monkey Town Brewing Company318 Angel Row · (865) 657-3380. ⓘ source
  • Sons of Smoke304 Cedar St · (865) 657-3332. ⓘ source
  • Carmichael Inn600 Hackberry St · (865) 657-6603. ⓘ source
  • Cinco Amigos Mexican Restaurant934 Mulberry St · (865) 545-8230. ⓘ source
  • Carl’s Drive Inn1254 E Lee Hwy · (865) 458-3791. ⓘ source
  • Tanasi Waterfront DiningOutside town — 450 Clubhouse Point in Tellico Village. ⓘ source

From Visit Loudon County’s restaurant list. Full list: Visit Loudon County restaurants ↗.

Places to stay

  • La Quinta Inn & Suites12400 Hwy 72 N · 865-657-0050. ⓘ source
  • Inn of Loudon12452 Hwy 72 N · 865-458-5669. ⓘ source
  • America’s Best Value Inn15100 Hwy 72 N · 865-458-5855. ⓘ source
  • Watts Bar Lake Jellystone Park Camp Resort10250 Corporate Park Dr · family campground · (865) 284-9644. ⓘ source
  • Windy Hill Farm and PreserveOutside town — 1180 Poplar Springs-Blair Bend Rd · resort stays · (865) 657-1700. ⓘ source

More across the county: Visit Loudon County resorts & hotels ↗.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · businesses from Visit Loudon County’s free lists; in-or-out-of-town checked against Census city limits. Call ahead — hours change. All hours Eastern (ET).

Coming up in Loudon

  • Thu Oct 29 — Last day of early voting10 AM–6 PM ET at the Loudon County Office Building, 100 River Rd (or Roane State, 100 W Broadway, Lenoir City). ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 3 — Election Day — Loudon mayor and two council seatsCity of Loudon voters choose a mayor and two at-large council members (four-year terms, nonpartisan), alongside state and federal races and constitutional amendments. Polling places and hours: Loudon County Election Commission, 100 River Rd, Suite 108. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 3 – Thu Nov 5 — The Kingdom of Wonders Medieval CircusThree nights under the big top at Loudon Municipal Park, 1470 Roberson Springs Rd · shows start at 6 PM ET each night · free admission. ⓘ source
  • Mon Nov 9 — City Council workshopSecond-Monday workshop, 6:30 PM ET at the Municipal Building, 2480 Highway 72 N. ⓘ source
  • Fri Nov 20 — Kindergarten Tree DecoratingDowntown Loudon · the Parks calendar does not list a time. ⓘ source
  • Mon Nov 23 — City Council regular meetingFourth-Monday meeting, 6:30 PM ET at the Municipal Building, 2480 Highway 72 N · sign in by 6:25 PM ET to address the council. ⓘ source
  • All December — Loudon LightsDrive or walk through the Christmas light display at Loudon Municipal Park. ⓘ source
  • Fri Dec 4 — Dickens Christmas in Olde LoudonA Dickens-style Christmas on Courthouse Square, from Loudon Parks, Recreation & Tourism with Loudon Alive. Source conflict: the city Parks calendar says it starts at 5 PM ET; Visit Loudon County lists 6–8 PM ET. ⓘ source
  • Sat Dec 5 — Lunch with Santa11:30 AM–12:30 PM ET at the Lions Club Pavilion, 8760 Hwy 72 N · registration required: (865) 458-7525. ⓘ source
  • Fri Dec 11 — Christmas in the Park5–9 PM ET at Loudon Municipal Park, among the holiday lights. ⓘ source
  • Sat Dec 12 — Loudon Christmas Parade6 PM ET through downtown · float line-up at 5 PM ET on Carter St; register floats with the Recreation Department. ⓘ source
  • Mon Dec 14 & Mon Dec 21 — City Council workshop and regular meeting6:30 PM ET both nights — in December the regular meeting moves to the third Monday. ⓘ source

Earlier this fall the Parks calendar also had the Paranormal Festival, Halloween on the Square and the Halloween parade, and the Levitt AMP Loudon music series — Loudon Parks event calendar ↗ · Visit Loudon County happenings ↗.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · times Eastern (ET) · dates from Loudon Parks, Recreation & Tourism, the City of Loudon, Visit Loudon County and the Loudon County Election Commission. More Loudon County events on the county guide.

Area news

Headlines · Loudon & Loudon County

  • Tennessee Town & City (TML) · Oct 13, 2026

    The Loudon Legacy Foundation has chosen the former McGill/Karns funeral home, a 1905 building on Wharf Street, as the home of the new Loudon Legacy Museum, which will hold collections the city once displayed; it plans to open next year.

    Read at Tennessee Town & City (TML) →
  • Loudon County News-Herald · Oct 7, 2026

    The museum at 406 Wharf St. expects to open in early 2027 with exhibits on Loudon’s earliest Native inhabitants, settlers, churches, schools, industry and the Civil War; volunteers plan to staff it Monday–Saturday.

    Read at Loudon County News-Herald →
  • Loudon County News-Herald · Oct 7, 2026

    The city and the Loudon Utilities Board set an Oct. 26 public meeting on a lead service line replacement project funded with a $3.06 million state revolving-fund loan, half of it forgiven; the notice says rates will not change.

    Read at Loudon County News-Herald →
  • Loudon County News-Herald · Sep 30, 2026

    The City Council set an Oct. 26 public hearing on annexing about 82 acres at River Road and Matlock Bend Road East for a planned 73-lot subdivision.

    Read at Loudon County News-Herald →
  • Loudon County News-Herald · Sep 23, 2026

    Loudon voters pick a mayor and two at-large council members on Nov. 3; early voting ran Oct. 14–29.

    Read at Loudon County News-Herald →

Short summaries in our words — tap through to read the full story at the source. All area news → · Outlet requests: [email protected]

A short history

The land south of the Tennessee River here was Cherokee territory until the Hiwassee District opened to settlers in 1819–20; white families had settled the north bank near the present Loudon bridge by 1790 (Tennessee Encyclopedia). The William Tunnell family was the first to settle the south side, and as the Carmichaels and Blairs followed, a ferry gave the settlement its name: Blair’s Ferry. The town was formally laid out in 1850 and renamed Loudon in 1858.

The East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad reached Blair’s Ferry in 1852, and by 1855 a railroad bridge spanned the river — and the river trade declined. In the Civil War it was the only East Tennessee railroad bridge across the Tennessee, the link between Knoxville and Chattanooga, and was partly burned twice by retreating Confederates. After Chickamauga, Union Gen. Ambrose Burnside sent ten thousand men to the Loudon area; after the Battle of Knoxville in late 1863, Confederates burned the bridge and sank three locomotives and forty-eight cars to keep it from Gen. William T. Sherman.

The General Assembly created Loudon County on June 2, 1870, from parts of Roane, Monroe and Blount counties. The county court organized that September and the town square was donated for the courthouse, which brothers J. Wesley and Ira Napoleon Clark built for $14,200; it was ready in September 1872. In 1906 Charles H. Bacon opened Loudon’s first significant industry, a hosiery mill, followed by the Lutz Mantel Company and the Don P. Smith Chair Factory; later plants included Viskase, Maremont, Staley, Yale Security and Kimberly-Clark.

UT MTAS lists Loudon’s incorporation under the Private Acts of 1849–50, with an incorporation date of Feb. 1, 1850; the present charter dates from 1975. Loudon had 5,991 people in the 2020 Census; the state’s 2026 estimate, per MTAS, is 6,963.

Visit: Civil War Trails in Loudon County ↗ · Fort Loudoun State Historic Park ↗

Loudon County’s history → · Full Loudon County history → · East Tennessee history hub →

City hall & local resources

  • Emergency (police · fire · EMS)911Call 911 for any emergency.
  • Loudon Municipal Building (City Hall)(865) 458-20332480 Highway 72 N · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM ET (UT MTAS). ⓘ source
  • Loudon Police Department865-408-0408100 Cedar St, downtown, shared with the fire department’s headquarters · also the municipal court line. ⓘ source
  • Loudon Fire Department865-408-0409Station 1, 100 Cedar St · Station 2, 200 Corporate Park Blvd (865-458-3558). Source conflict: the city’s fire page lists 865-408-0409 for the chief and 865-408-0408 for Station 1; Loudon County E-911 lists the department at 865-408-0414. ⓘ source
  • Loudon County E-911 (non-emergency)865-458-9081500 John Parris Dr. ⓘ source
  • Loudon Parks, Recreation & Tourism(865) 458-7525121 Keene St · shelter and event sign-ups. ⓘ source
  • Loudon Utilities(865) 458-20912360 Highway 72 N · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM ET, drive-thru and 24-hour drop box · report outages by text or call to 877-865-2091. ⓘ source
  • Loudon Public Library865-458-3161210 River Rd. ⓘ source
  • Loudon County Election Commission(865) 458-2560100 River Rd, Suite 108. ⓘ source
  • Loudon County Health Department(865) 458-2662600 Rayder Ave. ⓘ source
  • Fort Loudoun Medical Center (emergency care)(865) 271-6000Not in Loudon — 550 Fort Loudoun Medical Center Dr, Lenoir City. ⓘ source

City of Loudon official site ↗ — council agendas, forms, property taxes, codes and city news. Loudon’s mayor and council are elected at large in nonpartisan city elections held every two years, for staggered four-year terms; UT MTAS lists a city manager on staff. The council meets the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 PM ET (the third Monday in December), with workshops the second Monday at 6:30 PM ET, at the Municipal Building. Loudon County government is also based in Loudon, in the County Office Building at 100 River Rd.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · official sites only · numbers copied from each agency’s own page — tap ⓘ to confirm. Times Eastern (ET). Emergencies: call 911.

Around Loudon County

← Loudon County guide — Fort Loudoun, Tellico and Watts Bar lakes, Lenoir City, Civil War Trails and county resources.

Other Loudon County towns: Lenoir City · Greenback · Philadelphia · Farragut (mostly in Knox). Communities: Tellico Village · Rarity Bay · Sugar Limb · Eaton Crossroads · Martel · Steekee · Piney · Beals Chapel. Next door: Blount · Knox · McMinn · Monroe · Roane county guides.

Other county-seat guides: Wartburg (Morgan County) · Kingston (Roane County) · Huntsville (Scott County) · Jamestown (Fentress County) · Crossville (Cumberland County) · Clinton (Anderson County) · Dayton (Rhea County) · Decatur (Meigs County) · Athens (McMinn County) · Cleveland (Bradley County) · Madisonville (Monroe County).

Sources

Checked Oct 29, 2026