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Ashland City, Tennessee

Ashland City is a town and the county seat of Cheatham County, Tennessee. Located in Middle Tennessee, it is part of the Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboroFranklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the town's population was 5,193.[6]

Ashland City, Tennessee

United States

1856

1859[1]

JT Smith

Gerald Greer
Government website (2023)

11.41 sq mi (29.56 km2)

10.67 sq mi (27.63 km2)

0.75 sq mi (1.93 km2)

430 ft (130 m)

5,193

486.78/sq mi (187.95/km2)

UTC-5 (CDT)

37015

47-02180[5]

1304885[3]

History[edit]

Ashland City was created in 1856 as a county seat for the newly established Cheatham County. The county's commissioners purchased the initial 50 acres (0.20 km2) of land (now the courthouse square) from James Lenox, and a temporary courthouse was erected shortly thereafter. The temporary structure was replaced by the present courthouse in 1869.[7] Ashland City was officially incorporated in 1859.[8]


The first major industry in the Ashland City area was a forge operated by Montgomery Bell at the Narrows of the Harpeth, several miles to the southwest, which was established in 1818. In 1835, Samuel Watson established a gristmill and powder mill along Sycamore Creek, just north of Ashland City. Watson's mill developed into one of the largest powder mills in the South, making it a target during the Civil War. The mill continued in operation under various owners until 1904.[7]


The city was either named after Henry Clay's estate Ashland or by an act of the General Assembly of Tennessee in 1859, when the city was incorporated, who were inspired by the ash trees in the area. Originally called Ashland, "City" was added to the name after the incorporation.[9]

Government[edit]

The mayor of Ashland City, JT Smith, leads the city government with a 6 member council consisting of 2 council members from each ward, elected at large to serve a term of 4 years. The term date for JT Smith is in December 2024.[14]

Town of Ashland City official website

Town charter