Wilson County, Tennessee
Wilson County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is in Middle Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 147,737.[2] Its county seat is Lebanon.[3] The largest city is Mt. Juliet.[4] Wilson County is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History[edit]
Wilson County was created in 1799 from a portion of Sumner County, and named for Major David Wilson, a Revolutionary War veteran and statesman.[1] The county remained predominantly agrarian throughout the 19th century. The arrival of the railroad after the Civil War boosted the county's timber sector, and several large factories were constructed in the county during the early 20th century.[1]
Wilson County was the site of an important saltpeter mine. Saltpeter, the main ingredient of gunpowder, was obtained by leaching the earth from Valley Cave. Valley Cave is near Statesville. The many saltpeter hoppers still inside the cave indicate that this was a large mining operation. These saltpeter vats may date from the War of 1812 mining era or the Civil War mining era, or perhaps both. Further research is needed to determine when this mine was active.[5]
Education[edit]
Wilson County Schools oversees 22 public schools, including 2 adult education centers and a technical education center. The county has five high schools: Mount Juliet High School, Lebanon High School, Wilson Central High School, Green Hill High School, and Watertown High School.
Lebanon Special School District (LSSD) serves most of Lebanon and some unincorporated areas for K-8, though some parts of Lebanon are with Wilson County schools for all years K-12. Wilson County Schools operates the high schools that serve the LSSD territory.[16]
Cumberland University is located in Lebanon.
Education[edit]
It has two school districts, Lebanon Special School District and Wilson County School District. The latter has all high school zoning in the entire county,[17] while the former has grades K-8 and special education services.[18]