Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon /ˈlɛbnən/ is the county seat of Wilson County, Tennessee, United States.[6] The population was 38,431 at the 2020 census.[7] Lebanon is located in Middle Tennessee, approximately 25 miles (40 km) east of downtown Nashville. Lebanon is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
For other places with the same name, see Lebanon (disambiguation).History[edit]
The city was incorporated in 1801,[8] and was named after the biblical cedars of Lebanon (Cedrus libani).[9] Local residents have called Lebanon "Cedar City", mostly a reference to the abundance of "cedar" (Juniperus virginiana) trees in the area. The city is home to Cumberland University, a small, private four-year liberal arts institution.
Education[edit]
The Lebanon Special School District, which includes most of Lebanon,[21] encompasses four elementary schools and two middle schools. Wilson County Schools operates several additional primary and secondary schools in and around Lebanon, including Wilson Central High School and the newly reconstructed Lebanon High School.[22] Small portions of Lebanon are in the Wilson County Schools for all years K–12.[21] Schools serving those portions for K–8 include Carroll-Oakland School and Southside Elementary School.[23] All of Lebanon is zoned to Wilson County Schools for grades 9–12.[21]
Lebanon also has one private school, Friendship Christian School.
Lebanon is also home to Cumberland University, which was founded in 1842. The university has a rich heritage and has produced over eighty representatives and senators, such as Albert Gore Sr. and Thomas Gore. The institution has also produced a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Cordell Hull, who served as Secretary of State from March 1933 to November 1944.[24]
Infrastructure[edit]
Transportation[edit]
Interstate 40, runs south of the city, and has three exits that serve Lebanon. U.S. Route 70 connects the city to Nashville to the west and Smithville to the southeast. The western terminus of U.S. Route 70N is located in Lebanon, which connects to Carthage to the east. U.S. Route 231 connects the city to Murfreesboro to the south and Scottsville, Kentucky to the north. Hartmann Drive and Maddox-Simpson Parkway form a partial beltway around the city. The eastern terminus of Interstate 840 is located west of the city. State Route 109 passes west of the city and connects to Gallatin to the north. Secondary State Routes 141 and 166 also pass through Lebanon.[27]
Railroad freight service is provided by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad short line.
Commuter rail service to Nashville began service in 2006 via the Music City Star (now known as the WeGo Star).[28] Lebanon is the eastern terminus of the WeGo Star commuter rail service which runs via scheduled service Mon-Fri. There are two times when trains operate outside the normal service. July 4 fireworks at Riverfront Park calls for a special event train.[29] In addition, when the Tennessee Titans play at home, a special service called Game-Day Express operates.[30][31]
Rail service began in 1871 with the now defunct Tennessee & Pacific Railroad, which ran to Nashville. The last original passenger train departed Lebanon in 1935.
Lebanon has a municipal airport referenced by FAA Identifier M54. Operating two runways, M54's main runway is asphalt. Runway 1/19 is 5,000 by 100 feet (1,524 by 30 m). Runway 4/22 is turf 1,801 by 150 feet (549 by 46 m).[32]