We’re glad you’re here! Whether you’re looking for a weekend outdoor destination or a new place to call home, Haywood County has plenty to offer. Currently clocking in at about 17,400 residents, Haywood County is home to the towns of Brownsville and Stanton. Within the 526 square miles we call home are the communities of Nutbush, Wellwood, Holly Grove, Koko, Hillville, Shepp, Dancyville, Belle Eagle, Allen Station, Union Grove, Douglass and Zion. These were all more defined communities when our county was founded in 1821 than they are today. Before that, Haywood County was home to the Chickasaw Indians.
We carry generations of music heritage, sports legacies, civil rights giants and academic scholars with great pride. Some notable Haywood Countians include the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll” and entertainer Tina Turner; Blues legends “Sleepy” John Estes, Hammie Nixon and Yank Rachell; singer/songwriter Alex Harvey and Fuel-lead-singer Brett Scallions; Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Lyle Reid; explorer Richard Halliburton, Basketball legends Tony Delk and Jarvis Varnardo; CEO of Lowes Marvin Ellison, and civil rights giants Elbert Williams, Cynthia Rawls-Bond, and the Reverend Clay Evans. Haywood County is known to raise some of the world’s best folks; these are just a few.
Throughout history, Haywood County has been home to many historical events and places. Our 140-year-old historic Temple Adas Israel is the oldest Jewish synagogue in the state still holding services. Several prominent schools were built, including the Brownsville Female Institute in 1842 and the Brownsville Baptist Female College in 1851, which later became Haywood High School and is now the Haywood County Historical Museum. We were an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement, are home to the historical Jefferson Street and home to numerous historical churches. You can learn more about all of this by visiting one of our many museums, the Haywood County Museum at College Hill, West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center and the Carver-Dunbar High School and Museum.
In your wandering around town, keep an eye out for small, local restaurants. Mrs. Helen’s BBQ is world-famous. After getting through the lunch line of locals, make sure to sign the guest book. Or maybe you’re craving some Tripp Country Ham – yes, the one you’ve seen in grocery stores. That’s us too. If you prefer catfish, the Fish Market serves wild-caught fried catfish, locally sourced, straight from the Mississippi River. Our Farmer’s Market, on the corner of Jefferson and Anderson, is a great place to find local produce and try various food trucks.
Our industry is like many other small towns across the U.S. In addition to manufacturing, agriculture is a labor of love for many people in Haywood County. Our rich soil and hard work-ethic go hand-in-hand when it comes to crop production. We are known for producing the most cotton in the state and are 5th in the state for grain and bean production. No matter the job title, Haywood Countians are known for having a heart for serving their communities with pride.
For generations, our close-knit communities have created an attitude of dignity that has been passed down by Haywood Countians; visitors compliment us most on our hospitality and willingness to lend a hand.
It won’t take you long to notice that we don’t hide our Tomcat Pride. Our Haywood County school system has enriched generations of locals with an undeniable sense of belonging. While we are committed to constant improvement in all areas of education, you can always count on a Tomcat to take the field, court, stage or classroom by storm. The entire town turns purple and white every year at Homecoming in preparation for the annual Tomcats parade down Main Street. You can even find Tomcats-themed gifts and milkshakes in shops around the square.
Our beloved Hatchie River is a classified scenic river, meaning it is of considerable geographic, historical and cultural significance. It is the only river in the state that has not been altered by human activity. The Hatchie is accessible to the public by way of side-roads along Highway 76. We’re happy to share; all we ask is that you help us preserve it. If you’re not ready for the river, but want to be on the water, stop by O’Neal Lake, just across the highway. Our National Wildlife Refuge preserves and protects 11,556 acres of forested floodplain. Take a walk, a hike, a bike ride, a kayak, a boat and fishing poles – or just pictures. (The sunsets are breathtaking!)
We are proudly the home of Blue Oval City. By 2025, the town of Stanton will house the largest Ford Motor Company facility in the entire world. The $5.6 billion mega-campus which includes SK Innovations will employ over 5,000 people on-site and provide far more ancillary jobs. We are thrilled to be the world hub of the next generation of electric vehicle manufacturing and sustainability.
In preparing for how our beloved Haywood County may transform in the years to come, we are working diligently with planners, committees, industrial partners and community members to ensure that our little piece of the world blooms into the finest representation of what is possible when the best of people and place come together. Let there be no confusion – we are a small, rural community where the potential of such significant growth can feel overwhelming; but Haywood County is different in that we believe that the best of both worlds is possible by remaining loyal to our roots of humble beginnings, being faithful stewards of our rich soil, knowing our neighbors, and forever keeping our Tomcat Pride, while also welcoming new people and ideas that challenge us to become even better than we already are. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope that you love our little piece of the world just as much as we do!