Have a Happy Springs in Kingston Springs!
Have a Happy Springs in Kingston Springs!
Kingston Springs is a small but vibrant town of just under 2,800 residents situated just west of Nashville along the bluffs of the Harpeth River and known as "The Heart of the Harpeth". Several thousand additional residents live in the immediate unincorporated areas around the town. Kingston Springs is located within Cheatham County, which has a population of 39,117, in the region of middle Tennessee. The town is well-situated among other larger cities in the region; Nashville (20 miles), Brentwood (21 miles), and Franklin (25 miles) are all within a thirty minute drive from Kingston Springs. Kingston Springs is easily accessible via Interstate 40 and State Route 70, both which run through the jurisdictional limits of the town.
Kingston Springs enjoys a diverse local economy with employment found primarily through jobs in neighboring communities, and local arts and music culture. Major private employers near Kingston Springs include Vanderbilt University, St. Thomas Health Systems, and A.O. Smith.
Tourism is also a major economic driver in Kingston Springs.Sitting along the bluffs of the Harpeth River, the town enjoys nearby canoe and zip-lining facilities and has several access point to the river for fishing and floating. The area is noted for its ecological preservation, diversity of species, and natural beauty. Many of the residents of Kingston Springs have chosen to live in the community for its wooded and natural resources.
Archaeology research indicates that Indigenous American people migrated to the area that is Kingston Springs about 12,000 years ago and settled near the banks of the Harpeth River and Turnbull Creek. The Native Americans were likely attracted to the location due to the excellent game hunting and various sulfur springs. They helped shape the Cheatham County landscape by burying their dead in stonebox graves and created mounds that still exist today.
Lewis Dunn was the earliest known white settler of Kingston Springs. He received a land grant for his service during the Revolutionary War and in 1807, settled with his family near the Harpeth River.
A large hotel and tavern was constructed in 1819 near mineral springs to accommodate visitors seeking the healing qualities of Kingston Springs' white, black and red sulfur water. The springs served as the primary local attraction throughout the 1890s..
In 1860, the Nashville & NW Railroad was extended from Nashville to Kingston Springs and further expanded west from Kingston Springs to Waverly in 1862. The railroad brought substantial growth to the community, carrying timber, the area's primary cash crop, from lumber mills to Nashville. The town was also a stop on "The Accommodation" commuter train starting in 1880, bringing a multitude of visitors.
During the postwar period and the turn of the century, major changes occurred in Kingston Springs. A local branch of the United States Post Office opened in 1865, followed by two general stores in 1866. The Vanderbilt Preparatory School opened its doors in the early 1900's and became the first private educational facility in the community. A public elementary school soon followed, opening in 1915. Thanks in large part to the automobile, Kingston Springs experienced substantial population growth at the turn of the century. The town transformed from a resort destination to a residential community.
The 'Town of Kingston Springs' was formally incorporated in 1965 with a population of 290. W. R. Mayes served as the first Mayor from 1966 to 1974 and John Sweaney served as the first City Manager, also from 1966 to 1974. Since that time, Kingston Springs has developed and grown services. Municipal sewer service was added in 1989 and has expanded to account for nearly three quarters of businesses and residences inside the jurisdictional limits today.
Community fire protection services are provided by the Kingston Springs Volunteer Fire Department, which was founded in 1959. Originally organized in response to a hotel fire that was extinguished with hand-carried buckets of water, the fire department officially became a town department in 1978. Ray Crouch served as the first official fire chief from 1974 to 1984. In 1984, KSVFD became the first volunteer department in the state of Tennessee to receive an ISO rating of 5. More recently, the department's ISO rating was further upgraded in 2003 to a 4. The department offers first rate fire, medical, and emergency protection to the community and is a source of local pride.
Despite a devastating 1,000 year flood event which occurred in May 2010, Kingston Springs has recently experienced broad-based growth and investment. Nearby Metropolitan Nashville has had such explosive growth recently, many residents and visitors are refreshed by the relative small-town feel and scenic beauty of the area. 11,000 people reside within 5 miles of Kingston Springs and nearly all of them frequent town roads, schools, and businesses daily.
615-952-2110
396 Spring Street, Kingston Springs, Tennessee 37082, United States
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