Office of the Mayor

Hello, I am Mayor Jim Bates, and I would like to welcome you to Hickman County Tennessee!

I was elected to office in 2022 without making big promises to the people of our county. The only promise I made was that I would work hard for the citizens of our county and do my very best to serve the interests of the people.

My goal for the next four years is to work towards Hickman County becoming self-reliant and self-sufficient and independent on itself while bringing new ideas and industry to the area, thus creating jobs for our citizens.

Hickman County is a short drive to neighboring cities such as Dickson, Columbia, Hohenwald, Fairview, and of course Nashville, which makes us the “Big Backyard”.

Hickman County was named for Edwin Hickman, an explorer and surveyor who was killed in an Indian attack at Defeated Creek in 1791.  The county was established in 1807 and expanded all the way to the southern border of the state until it was divided into the five different counties of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Lewis and Hickman.

In the 1800’s the county’s industry revolved around iron furnaces, which a natural high supply of high-quality iron ore was available. The early furnaces near Aetna were destroyed during the Civil War

Hickman County is home to some famous folks. Native songwriter Beth Slater Whitson, Grand Ole Opry personality Minnie Pearl. The county is the subject of the Johnny Cash song, “Saturday Night in Hickman County”, and one line in the Charlie Daniels Band song, “The South’s Gonna Do It Again”, makes mention of Grinder’s Switch, which is the home of Minnie Pearl.

Our county has a total of 613 square miles and a population of 24,925 residents. We have exceptional waterways here. The Duck River and the Piney River and many creeks, both small and large, run through Hickman County. So, you are invited to come see what Hickman County is all about, whether you just want to relax and take a stroll around Centerville and enjoy the local food, or you want to hunt and fish, enjoy wine tasting at our two wineries, or just enjoy the scenic views of our great county, you are always welcome!

Whether you were born and raised here or have come for a visit, or just want to put down roots, I hope you will be blessed by all this county has to offer. From sprawling acres to forest land to rivers and streams, to thriving communities, we hope you experience Hickman County as a place to build and belong to.

Yes, we know it as Hickman County, however we like to call it “home”.

 

Mayor Jim Bates