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Morristown, Tennessee

Hamblen County’s seat and the hub of the Lakeway region: Main Street’s 1967 Sky Mart overhead sidewalks, Davy Crockett’s boyhood tavern, the Rose Center, Morristown Landing and 14 city parks, with Panther Creek State Park and Cherokee Lake just outside town.

City · county seatSeat of Hamblen County →Pop. 30,431 (2020)Eastern time (ET)Things to do ↓Eat & drink ↓Places to stay ↓Events ↓A short history ↓City offices & resources ↓

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

In 30 seconds
  • Why stop: walk Main Street under the Sky Mart, the overhead sidewalks finished in 1967, grab lunch downtown, then head out to Davy Crockett’s boyhood tavern or to the trails and lake views at Panther Creek State Park, just west of town.
  • Before you go: Morristown is on Eastern time (ET). Early voting ends today, Oct 29 (8 AM–4:30 PM ET), and on Election Day, Tue Nov 3, polls are open 8 AM–8 PM ET, with three city council seats on the ballot. Morristown Landing’s free Halloween Bash is Fri Oct 30, 5–8 PM ET, and the Christmas parade is Thu Dec 3 at 6:30 PM ET.
  • Good to know: Panther Creek State Park, Cherokee Park and Cherokee Lake are outside the city limits, as is the General Longstreet Museum at Russellville. Panther Creek’s playground and pool-area lot are closed for construction until mid-2027.

Visitor directory

Things to do in and around Morristown

In town

  • Historic Downtown & the Sky Mart ↗Main Street’s overhead sidewalks, the Sky Mart, turned the second floors of downtown into a raised “street” after Turkey Creek flooded the district in 1962; the walkways were finished in 1967 and still shade the sidewalks below. Downtown runs from the Rose Center to the Downtown Green, with antique and gift shops, a taproom and cafés. ⓘ source
  • Crockett Tavern Museum ↗2002 Morningside Dr. · a reconstruction of the 1790s tavern John Crockett kept on the old stage road, where his son Davy grew up; on the National Register since 2014, with Davy’s Trading Post on the grounds. Open May–October, Tue–Sat 11 AM–5 PM ET, $5 · 423-587-9900. The season ends with October; check before a November visit. ⓘ source
  • Rose Center for the Arts ↗442 W. Second North St. · the town’s oldest school building (1892), restored as an arts and heritage center on the National Register and home of the Mountain Makin’s festival · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM ET. ⓘ source
  • Morristown Landing ↗4355 Durham Landing · the city’s recreation center: an aquatics center with lap and therapy pools, sports courts, an indoor walking track, a fitness center, climbing walls and event space · 423-388-6573. Lap swim only on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 PM ET; the aquatics center opens at noon ET on Sundays. ⓘ source
  • City parks & disc golf ↗Fourteen city parks: Fred Miller Park, 441 W. Morris Blvd., with a splash pad, the Hughes Amphitheatre and a greenway trailhead; Frank Lorino Park, 3100 Lorino Park Rd., with a BMX track, skate park, pump track and disc golf; the inclusive playground at Jolley Park, 536 Pleasant Ave.; and an 18-hole disc golf course at Wayne Hansard Park, 5100 Dearing Rd. Morristown bills itself as Tennessee’s Disc Golf Capital. ⓘ source
  • Downtown Farmers Market & Downtown Green ↗130 W. Morris Blvd. · a city-owned market under a pavilion built in 2015, with Grainger County tomatoes in summer. The season runs May–October: Tuesday and Friday 8 AM–5 PM ET, Thursday 2–7 PM ET, Saturday 8 AM–2 PM ET. The Green hosts Christmas on the Market on Nov 28. ⓘ source
  • Walters State Community College ↗500 S. Davy Crockett Pkwy. · the main campus has a theatre in the Inman Humanities Complex and the Catron Art Gallery in the library. Most campus events are free (see Coming up) · 423-585-2600. ⓘ source

Eat & drink

  • The Little Dutch Restaurant ↗115 S. Cumberland St., downtown · American, Italian and Greek dishes and a big soup and salad bar, serving Morristown since 1939 · 423-581-1441. Hours vary by source; call ahead. ⓘ source
  • 1907 Brewing Company ↗103 W. Main St. · a brewery and taproom in a restored century-old building, with rotating food trucks · Wed–Thu 3–9 PM ET, Fri 3–10 PM ET, Sat 11 AM–10 PM ET, Sun 10 AM–6 PM ET; closed Mon–Tue. ⓘ source
  • The Heavy Petal ↗134 W. Main St. · pizza, loaded potato skins, hot dogs and beer · Mon–Sat 3–10 PM ET. ⓘ source
  • Between the Bricks Sandwich Co.142 W. Main St. · sandwiches, salads and soups on artisan bread. Check hours before you go. ⓘ source
  • 60 Beans Coffee275 E. Morris Blvd., Sherwood Commons · coffee, espresso and made-to-order crêpes. Check hours before you go. ⓘ source

Small-town hours change, so call ahead. Full list: Visit Morristown — Where to eat ↗.

Places to stay

  • Hotels ↗Visit Morristown lists the Best Western Plus Conference Center, Candlewood Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, two Hampton Inns, Holiday Inn Express & Suites and TownePlace Suites. ⓘ source
  • Lakeside camping ↗Not in Morristown — campgrounds at Panther Creek State Park and Cherokee Park, plus private sites such as Fall Creek Marina and Campground. ⓘ source

Nearby: Cherokee Lake & Russellville

  • Panther Creek State Park ↗Not in Morristown — just west of the city limits on Cherokee Lake, 2010 Panther Creek Park Rd. · 1,444 acres with more than 28 miles of hiking and biking trails, the Hunt Knob Ridge views, a pro-level disc golf course and a boat ramp. A new day-use lodge and playground are under construction until mid-2027, so the pool lot, playground, volleyball and basketball courts are closed. Park office Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–4 PM ET · 423-587-7046. ⓘ source
  • Cherokee Park ↗Not in Morristown — the county’s 178-acre lakeside park north of town, 3075 Floyd Hall Dr. · camping, trails, an amphitheater, a splash pad, an 18-hole disc golf course, a public boat dock and Hamblen Marina. Winter hours Nov 1–Mar 31, 8 AM–5 PM ET; free · 423-586-5232. ⓘ source
  • Cherokee Lake ↗Not in Morristown — the reservoir along the county’s northern edge, with more than 400 miles of shoreline and a reputation for bass and crappie fishing. Panther Creek has a boat ramp and Cherokee Park a public boat dock. ⓘ source
  • General Longstreet Museum ↗Not in Morristown — 5915 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy., Russellville · the Nenney House, where Confederate Gen. James Longstreet made his headquarters in the winter of 1863–64, now a Civil War Trails museum. Open April–November; adults $10, children $5. ⓘ source

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · in or out of the city checked against Census city limits. Call ahead — hours change. All hours Eastern (ET).

Coming up in Morristown

  • Thu Oct 29 — Last day of early voting8 AM–4:30 PM ET at the Hamblen County Election Commission in the Courthouse, 511 W. Second North St.; Morristown Public Works, 4360 Durham Landing; or Holston Electric Cooperative, 6613 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy., Whitesburg. ⓘ source
  • Fri Oct 30 — Halloween Bash5–8 PM ET at Morristown Landing, 4355 Durham Landing · free entry (register online), with a costume contest, candy trail, pumpkin decorating and a Monster Mash ball. ⓘ source
  • Mon Nov 2 — Native American dance6 PM ET in the Lyceum of the Student Services Building, Walters State Morristown campus · dancers with flutists and drummers. Free. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 3 — Election Day · Morristown city electionPolls are open 8 AM–8 PM ET at your assigned precinct. Along with the state and federal general election, city voters choose three council seats: Ward 1, Ward 3 and one at-large seat. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 3 — Morristown City Council5 PM ET at City Center, 100 W. First North St., after the 4 PM ET Agenda Review & Citizen Forum. The council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. ⓘ source
  • Sat Nov 7 — Veterans Day ParadeDowntown on Main Street, from the Elks Club to the Hamblen County Courthouse; it steps off between 1 and 2 PM ET. ⓘ source
  • Wed Nov 11 — Veterans Day closuresCity offices and the Morristown-Hamblen Library are closed. ⓘ source
  • Thu Nov 12–Sun Nov 15 — “13 Past Midnight” at Walters StateA whodunit for ages 12 and up · Nov 12–14 at 7:30 PM ET and Sun Nov 15 at 2:30 PM ET in the Inman Humanities Complex theatre · $10, seniors $8, students $5 · reservations 423-585-6947. ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 17 — Morristown City Council5 PM ET at City Center, after the 4 PM ET Agenda Review & Citizen Forum. ⓘ source
  • Wed Nov 18 — Empty Bowls sale11 AM–1 PM ET in the Inman Humanities Complex lobby at Walters State · handmade student bowls, $15 each, for Second Harvest Food Bank. ⓘ source
  • Mon Nov 23 — Word Up Poetry Slam6–9 PM ET at Walters State’s Morristown campus · prizes for original poems; listeners welcome. ⓘ source
  • Thu Nov 26–Fri Nov 27 — Thanksgiving closuresThe Morristown-Hamblen Library and Walters State are closed both days. ⓘ source
  • Sat Nov 28 — Christmas on the MarketNoon ET–6 PM ET at the Downtown Farmers Market, 130 W. Morris Blvd. · music, shopping, crafts, games and photos with Santa and the Grinch. ⓘ source
  • Tue Dec 1 — Morristown City Council5 PM ET at City Center, after the 4 PM ET Agenda Review & Citizen Forum. ⓘ source
  • Thu Dec 3 — Morristown Christmas Parade6:30 PM ET downtown, rain or shine · this year’s theme is “Christmas at the Movies.” Entries close at noon ET on Nov 12. ⓘ source
  • Sat Dec 5 — Rose Center Holiday Craft Fair9 AM–4 PM ET at the Rose Center, 442 W. Second North St. · gifts from local crafters and artisans. ⓘ source

More happenings are on the City of Morristown events calendar ↗ and at Visit Morristown ↗.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · times Eastern (ET) · dates from the City of Morristown, the Hamblen County Election Commission, Walters State, the Morristown Area Chamber and the Morristown-Hamblen Library. More Hamblen County events are on the county guide.

Area news

Headlines · Morristown & Hamblen County

  • Walters State · Oct 28, 2026

    Native American dancers, flutists and drummers return to the Morristown campus for a free performance on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 PM ET.

    Read at Walters State →
  • Citizen Tribune · Oct 27, 2026

    About 6,545 Hamblen voters had cast early ballots in the Nov. 3 state, federal and Morristown city elections.

    Read at Citizen Tribune →
  • Citizen Tribune · Oct 27, 2026

    The Hamblen County Health Department cut the ribbon on its new home at 1570 Buffalo Trail, Suite 1, in Morristown.

    Read at Citizen Tribune →
  • Citizen Tribune · Oct 22, 2026

    Morristown Landing’s fourth annual Halloween Bash is free, with a candy trail, costume contest and pumpkin decorating, plus a new Express Pass option.

    Read at Citizen Tribune →
  • WVLT · Oct 20, 2026

    The city council voted 6–1 to limit data centers to heavy-industrial zones, at least 500 feet from homes, schools and occupied government buildings, with all equipment indoors.

    Read at WVLT →

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

Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek and Shawnee people hunted these valleys before settlers came. In 1783 Robert McFarland and Alexander Outlaw claimed land at the Bend of Chucky on the Nolichucky; Gideon Morris and his brothers Daniel and Absalom took grants inside today’s city limits and gave Morristown its name. A road linking the Abingdon and Knoxville stage routes followed in 1792, and John Crockett kept a tavern on it, where his son Davy grew up (Tennessee Encyclopedia). Source conflict: the Tennessee Encyclopedia says Morristown was incorporated in 1855; MTAS lists the city’s incorporation act as Private Acts 1867–68, with an incorporation date of Feb. 1, 1867, and its charter as Private Acts 1903. We print both.

Downtown Morristown grew up around Turkey Creek where two railroad lines crossed (Downtown Morristown), and the Civil War followed the rails. On Oct. 28, 1864, Union cavalry and infantry under Brig. Gen. Alvan Gillem attacked Brig. Gen. John Vaughn’s Confederates west of town and routed them; Vaughn reported that his command was “stampeded at Morristown” and fell back to Carter’s Depot (Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association). Gen. James Longstreet had wintered at nearby Russellville in 1863–64. Hamblen County was formed in 1870 from parts of Jefferson, Grainger and Hawkins counties, named for Hezekiah Hamblen, and Morristown became its seat; the courthouse by A. C. Bruce is on the National Register (Tennessee Encyclopedia).

In 1881 the Methodist Episcopal Church founded Morristown College, growing from a Freedmen’s Bureau school begun in 1869; it was one of only two colleges for African Americans in East Tennessee before the civil rights era, later became a branch of Knoxville College, and closed in the 1990s. Its historic campus is on the National Register (Tennessee Encyclopedia). JFG Coffee got its start here, textile and furniture mills led the 20th century, and Walters State Community College and the Rose Center, in the town’s oldest school (1892), anchor learning and the arts.

After Turkey Creek flooded downtown in 1962 and a new west-side shopping center pulled trade away, the city rebuilt Main Street with raised walkways along the second floors, the Sky Mart, and rerouted the creek underground; the project was finished in 1967 (Downtown Morristown). The walkways still stand, now with an accessible ramp and a place in a regional greenway plan. Today Morristown has a mayor and six council members, four elected by ward and two at large, with a city administrator appointed by the council (City of Morristown). Source conflict: the 2020 Census counted 30,431 people in Morristown; the state’s certified 2026 estimate is 33,517 (MTAS), while the police and fire departments’ own pages say they serve about 30,000 and about 29,000. Part of the city lies in Jefferson County (Census).

Read more: Hamblen County (Tennessee Encyclopedia) ↗ · Morristown College (Tennessee Encyclopedia) ↗ · Morristown, Oct 28, 1864 (TCWPA) ↗

Hamblen County’s history → · How Tennessee came from North Carolina → · East Tennessee history hub →

City offices & local resources

City of Morristown ↗ — departments, agendas, livestreams and events · MTAS directory ↗. Morristown has a mayor and six council members (four elected by ward and two at large) and a city administrator appointed by the council to run day-to-day operations. The council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5 PM ET at City Center, 100 W. First North St.; anyone may speak on any topic at the Agenda Review & Citizen Forum at 4 PM ET before each meeting, and meetings are livestreamed. The city provides police, fire, parks, the airport and garbage and recycling pickup. Hamblen County offices are in the Courthouse at 511 W. Second North St.

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 Hamblen County

← Hamblen County guide — Panther Creek, Cherokee Park, Russellville’s Civil War sites and county resources.

Other Hamblen County places: White Pine (a town mostly in Jefferson County) · Russellville · Whitesburg · Talbott · Witt · Lowland · Springvale. Census places: Morristown city (30,431; it also reaches into Jefferson County) · White Pine town (2,471) · Russellville CDP (822). Next door: Jefferson · Grainger · Hawkins · Greene · Cocke 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) · Loudon (Loudon County) · Maryville (Blount County) · Sevierville (Sevier County) · Knoxville (Knox County) · Newport (Cocke County) · Tazewell (Claiborne County) · Benton (Polk County) · Greeneville (Greene County). Nearest seats: Greeneville (Greene) and Newport (Cocke).

Sources

Checked Oct 29, 2026