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Pikeville, Tennessee

Bledsoe County’s seat and only incorporated town, in the upper Sequatchie Valley between the Cumberland Plateau and Walden Ridge: a 1909 courthouse on the square, a doctor’s house turned museum, National Register homes and churches, and murals downtown — with Fall Creek Falls up on the plateau.

CitySeat of Bledsoe County →Pop. 1,824 (2020 Census)Central time (CT)Things to do ↓Eat & drink ↓Places to stay ↓Events ↓A short history ↓City offices & resources ↓

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · all times Central (CT) · sources at the bottom

In 30 seconds
  • Why stop: walk Main Street from the 1909 courthouse and Veterans Park past the Ross House museum, the National Register homes and the two big murals, then head up the plateau to Fall Creek Falls.
  • Before you go: Pikeville is on Central time (CT) — an hour behind Dayton and Chattanooga on the other side of Walden Ridge (Rhea and Hamilton counties are on Eastern time). The Christmas Parade is Sat Nov 28 and Light Up Pikeville is Sat Dec 12. Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital on Wheelertown Ave has an emergency department.
  • Good to know: this is Pikeville, Tennessee — not Pikeville in Kentucky or North Carolina. Fall Creek Falls itself, its lodge and nature center are in Van Buren County, and the Head of Sequatchie is in Cumberland County; Bledsoe State Forest is outside the city limits too.

Visitor directory

Things to do in and around Pikeville

In town

  • Bledsoe County Courthouse & Veterans Park ↗3150 Main St, downtown · a red-brick Classical Revival courthouse finished in 1909 on the site of Pikeville’s first courthouse, completed by 1821; on the National Register since 1995 · in August 1862 Confederate troops marching north from Chattanooga used the earlier courthouse as a hospital · Veterans Park and the county Veterans Memorial are on the square. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County History Museum — Dr. James A. Ross House ↗Frazier St, by the courthouse square · the circa-1872 Folk Victorian home and office of a country doctor, later the county’s second hospital in the 1940s · run by the Bledsoe County Historical and Genealogical Society, open about 20 hours a week and for special events — check before you go. ⓘ source
  • Main Street walking tour ↗A free, self-guided walk past 12 historic sites downtown, each with a QR code that plays a short video about Bledsoe County’s past. ⓘ source
  • Pikeville’s National Register homes ↗The John Bridgman House (1815; Bridgman helped found the town) at 126 E. Spring St · the Classical Revival T. A. Pope House (1906) at 101 Oreto Alley, now an event venue · the South Main Street Historic District, including the Pratt House at 2757 Main St · the James B. Frazier marker at Spring and Grove streets and the R. E. Winsett marker at 2872 Main St. ⓘ source
  • Lincoln School & Pikeville Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church ↗The Lincoln Consolidated Rosenwald School at 457 Grove St was built in 1925 with help from the Rosenwald Fund and taught Black children through grade 8 until 1965 (National Register 1993) · before that the school met in the Pikeville Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church on East Valley Rd, built in 1870 and still home to an active congregation (National Register 1999). ⓘ source
  • Downtown murals ↗The 40-foot Welcome to Pikeville mural faces the Indigenous History Mural on the south wall beside the Main Street Stage · the second mural tells the Sequatchie Valley’s Mississippian, Yuchi, Muscogee and Chickamauga Cherokee story and marks two 1838 Trail of Tears crossings; six QR codes at its base play short videos. ⓘ source
  • Pikeville Farmers Market ↗Downtown on Main Street · produce, baked goods and crafts on Saturdays 8 AM–noon CT, April through September (the season is over for 2026). ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Public Library ↗478 Cumberland Ave · Mon, Tue and Fri 10 AM–5 PM CT, Wed 10 AM–6 PM CT, Thu 10 AM–1 PM CT; closed weekends. ⓘ source

Nearby: the plateau & the head of the valley

  • Fall Creek Falls State Park ↗Not in Pikeville — on the Cumberland Plateau west of Pikeville (about 17 miles, county site); the falls, the lodge and the nature center are over the line in Van Buren County, also on Central time · the Piney Falls and Millikan’s Overlook trails are still closed after the August 2023 tornado (the overlook itself is open). ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe State Forest ↗Not in Pikeville — on the plateau northwest of town · state land since 1907 and a state forest since 1933 · hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing; fire towers are closed to climbing · free firewood permits (931) 319-6959, Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM CT. ⓘ source
  • Cumberland Trail State Park & the head of the Sequatchie ↗Not in Pikeville — the park office and the Head of Sequatchie area are north of Bledsoe, in Cumberland County, where the Sequatchie River rises · the trail follows the plateau’s eastern edge across several counties. ⓘ source

Eat & drink

  • The Butter Dish ↗160 Creekside Plaza · Southern plates, seafood night on Thursdays and steaks on Fridays · open Wednesday–Sunday · (423) 447-3663. ⓘ source
  • Miller’s Bread3097 Main St, downtown · bakery: cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, soups and cheesecakes · Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM CT (Visit Pikeville). ⓘ source
  • Scotties3211 Main St · a home-cooking diner known for its breakfast and little burgers · Mon–Sat; cash only (Visit Pikeville). ⓘ source
  • Los Panchos3315 Main St · Mexican · daily 11 AM–10 PM CT (Visit Pikeville). ⓘ source
  • Pizza King3729 Main St · pizza, pasta and subs · daily 11 AM–9 PM CT (Visit Pikeville). ⓘ source
  • Morgan Brothers BBQ ↗Not in Pikeville — 38408 US-127, just north of the city limits · slow-smoked barbecue and a buffet · Thu–Sat 11 AM–8 PM CT · (423) 447-6423. ⓘ source

Most places here post hours on social media rather than their own sites; Visit Pikeville’s food list ↗ and the city’s restaurant page ↗ have more. Call ahead — hours change.

Places to stay

Lodging around Pikeville is mostly cabins, farm stays and vacation rentals; Visit Pikeville’s Stay page ↗ lists them (many are not in Pikeville). The Fall Creek Falls State Park lodge, cabins and campgrounds are on the plateau in Van Buren County. Other county-seat guides with lodging: Dayton (Rhea County) and Crossville (Cumberland County).

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · in or out of Pikeville checked against the Census city boundary. Call ahead — hours change. All hours Central (CT).

Coming up in Pikeville

  • Thu Oct 29 — Last day of early voting9 AM–noon CT at the Bledsoe County Election Commission, Courthouse, 3150 Main St, Suite 700 (2nd floor). ⓘ source
  • Tue Nov 3 — Election DayPolls open 9 AM–7 PM CT — vote at your own precinct. State and federal races and proposed state constitutional amendments are on the ballot; no City of Pikeville offices are up this year (MTAS lists the next city election on Dec 4, 2027). ⓘ source
  • Sat Nov 7 & Sat Nov 14 — Deck the Halls workdays10 AM–4 PM CT on Main Street · volunteers hang wreaths and lights downtown for the season. ⓘ source
  • Mon Nov 9 — Board of Mayor and Aldermen6:30 PM CT at City Hall, 25 Municipal Dr · monthly, on the second Monday; agendas go online at least 24 hours ahead (see the source note below). ⓘ source
  • Sat Nov 21 — Sip & Shop10 AM–2 PM CT · holiday shopping at the Main Street shops and market vendors. ⓘ source
  • Sat Nov 28 — Pikeville’s 30th Annual Christmas Parade5 PM CT on Main Street · this year’s theme is “A Star-Spangled Colonial Christmas” · float line-up starts at 2 PM CT at City Hall. ⓘ source
  • Sat Dec 12 — Light Up Pikeville Christmas Celebration5 PM–7 PM CT downtown on Main Street · holiday lights and music. ⓘ source

The city’s Calendar of Events ↗ has the full list, and the warning sirens are tested on the 15th of each month at 5 PM CT. We’ll refresh this list after Light Up Pikeville on Dec 12.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · times Central (CT) · dates from the City of Pikeville, the Tennessee Secretary of State and the Bledsonian-Banner. More Bledsoe County events are on the county guide.

Area news

Headlines · Pikeville

  • Bledsonian-Banner · Oct 27, 2026

    The County Commission extended the Bledsoe County Historical and Genealogical Society’s lease on the Dr. James A. Ross House museum in Pikeville for four more years; the house is open to the public about 20 hours a week.

    Read at Bledsonian-Banner →
  • Bledsonian-Banner · Oct 27, 2026

    A retired local attorney was sworn in to fill a vacancy on the Pikeville Board of Aldermen after a longtime alderman and vice mayor resigned; the seat is up at the city election on Dec 4, 2027.

    Read at Bledsonian-Banner →
  • Bledsonian-Banner · Oct 20, 2026

    The state Division of Forestry reminds residents that burn permits are required from Oct. 15 through May 15; they are free at BurnSafeTN.org or by calling 877-350-BURN.

    Read at Bledsonian-Banner →

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

A short history

Long before the town, the upper Sequatchie Valley was Indian country: Mississippian farmers worked its “Old Fields” between about 900 and 1500, and the Yuchi, Muscogee and Chickamauga Cherokee later lived and hunted here. The valley stayed Cherokee hunting ground until the Third Treaty of Tellico in 1805, and in 1838 Trail of Tears routes crossed it (City of Pikeville; Tennessee Encyclopedia).

Bledsoe County was created in 1807, and in 1816 its commissioners bought thirty acres on Sequatchie Creek for a new county seat, Pikeville. The John Bridgman House, built in 1815 for one of the town’s founders, still stands on E. Spring St. The town grew as a trade and supply stop on the stage road from Knoxville south, and the state authorized Lafayette Academy here in 1826; the first courthouse was finished by 1821 (Tennessee Encyclopedia; City of Pikeville).

In August 1862 Confederate troops marching north from Chattanooga used the courthouse as a hospital. After the war the Pikeville Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, built in 1870, doubled as the school for Black children until the Lincoln Rosenwald School opened in 1925. James B. Frazier, born in Pikeville in 1856, was elected governor in 1902 (City of Pikeville).

The present Classical Revival courthouse was finished in 1909. In the early 1900s Pikeville was the end of a railroad branch line up the valley, and electricity, telephones and a Coca-Cola bottling works arrived; later U.S. 127 tied the town to the region. The city’s site dates its incorporation to 1830; MTAS lists the present incorporation act from 1911 and the charter from 1939 (City of Pikeville; MTAS).

Today Pikeville is Bledsoe County’s seat and its only incorporated place, governed by a mayor and board of aldermen; a Main Street streetscape project added lighting and brick crosswalks downtown. The 2020 Census counted 1,824 people (TIGERweb).

Read more: Pikeville history (City of Pikeville) ↗ · Bledsoe County (Tennessee Encyclopedia) ↗

Bledsoe County’s history → · East Tennessee history hub →

City offices & local resources

  • Emergency (police · fire · EMS)911Call 911 for any emergency.
  • City of Pikeville (City Hall)(423) 447-291925 Municipal Dr · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM CT · city water, wastewater and natural gas (MTAS: gas, sewer, water); Pikeville Police Department ext. 113, city recorder ext. 104 · offices closed Wed Nov 11, Thu Nov 26 – Fri Nov 27 and Thu Dec 24 – Fri Dec 25. ⓘ source
  • Pikeville Fire Department(423) 447-6222Volunteer fire department; fire reports · for emergencies call 911. ⓘ source
  • Visit Pikeville(423) 447-2791City tourism office: things to do, places to eat and cabins and farm stays. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County 9-1-1 (non-emergency dispatch)(423) 447-5555Non-emergency dispatch for the county. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Office(423) 447-2197235 Allen P. Deakins Rd. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Mayor’s Office(423) 447-6855Courthouse, 3150 Main St. ⓘ source
  • Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital (ER)(423) 447-211271 Wheelertown Ave · hospital emergency department. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Health Department(423) 447-2149Tennessee Department of Health clinic. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Schools(423) 447-2914478 Spring St · calendars and closings. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Election Commission(423) 447-2776Courthouse, 3150 Main St, Suite 700 (2nd floor) · Election Day Tue Nov 3: polls 9 AM–7 PM CT at your own precinct. ⓘ source
  • Bledsoe County Public Library(423) 447-2817478 Cumberland Ave. ⓘ source
  • Highway emergency (cell)*THP (*847)Tennessee Highway Patrol. ⓘ source

City of Pikeville ↗ runs City Hall at 25 Municipal Dr, the police and volunteer fire departments, streets and the city’s water, wastewater and natural-gas utilities. Source conflict: the City of Pikeville’s agendas page and the University of Tennessee’s MTAS directory both list the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on the second Monday at 6:30 PM CT at City Hall, 25 Municipal Dr; the city’s online calendar entry for Mon Nov 9 says 5:30 PM CT. We print 6:30 PM CT — check the agenda before you go. Bledsoe County’s offices are in the courthouse on Main St.

Checked Oct 29, 2026 · official sites only · numbers copied from each agency’s own page or the county guide — tap ⓘ to confirm. Times Central (CT). Emergencies: call 911.

Around Bledsoe County

← Bledsoe County guide — Bledsoe State Forest, the Fall Creek Falls edge of the plateau, Walden Ridge and county resources.

Other Bledsoe County communities: Brayton · Hendon · Lees Station · Summer City. Next door: Cumberland · Rhea · Hamilton · Sequatchie county guides, and Van Buren County to the west.

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) · Morristown (Hamblen County) · Rogersville (Hawkins County) · Jacksboro (Campbell County) · Maynardville (Union County) · Rutledge (Grainger County) · Dandridge (Jefferson County) · Sneedville (Hancock County) · Blountville (Sullivan County) · Jonesborough (Washington County) · Elizabethton (Carter County) · Erwin (Unicoi County) · Mountain City (Johnson County) · Chattanooga (Hamilton County). Nearest seats with guides: Dayton (Rhea), Crossville (Cumberland) and Chattanooga (Hamilton).

Sources

Checked Oct 29, 2026