Chart Your Journey
Visiting Here
Lewis County Tennessee - Chart Your Journey!
Lewis County Tennessee has always been a destination for seekers and explorers.
The journeys that these folks charted led them to stay to build good lives and our modern-day community. As a result of our diverse settlement and history, we are home to many unique communities and interesting people that enjoy all that Hohenwald and Lewis County have to offer today!
In 2022, Lewis County Tennessee offers the same abundant resources and natural beauty in our landscapes and pristine streams that drew seekers and explorers to our area. Through our leadership in the Nashville’s Big Back Yard and the Buffalo River Blueway regional initiatives, we continue to share our beautiful place and natural resources with visitors and residents.
We welcome you to Lewis County and look forward to knowing you and your plans for your future soon!
Chart your journey today and come for a day, weekend, or lifetime!
Here’s your way to make your plans.
We invite you to use this website for information on our many interesting destination attractions, events, lodging, dining, shopping, and venue options make lifestyles and visits enjoyable. And be sure to call Debbie Landers at 931-796-4084 for more visitor and tourism information to make your unique itinerary.
Here’s more details on Lewis County’s unique and growing story.
Early explores and settlers traveled through the lands that became Lewis County on the historic Natchez Trace, including Meriwether Lewis for whom the county is named. In the 1700’s and 1800’s, many early travelers on this route of southern and westward settlement decided to stay and claim their place in the county's rich bottomlands and hardwood forests located along pristine streams. Prior to their arrival, the Cherokees called this rich and abundant area home.
The next group to come were the Swiss who settled the New Switzerland Historic Township in 1895. Their new community was platted in perfect squares with wide streets in keeping with Swiss traditions. Settlers from Germany also arrived during this period and organized Hohenwald - The City of High Forests. In 1897 the towns merged. Hohenwald became the county seat of Lewis County. Hohenwald has many design features found in Swiss Townships and German Villages that offers unique dining, lodging, housing options, event space, parks, and entertainment areas that remain today.
In the mid-1970's, Stephen Gaskin and over 1500 modern day seekers traveled from the West Coast to create The Farm, one of the longest operating intentional communities in the nation. Many innovations have launched there including the Swan Creek Land Trust, solar and sustainable building practices, institutes on sustainability and permaculture, publishing companies, and natural health methods. All continue as successful enterprises today.
Later, the founders of the Elephant Sanctuary located on the western side of the county and the Lewis County Amish Community settled along Highway 20 on the way to The Farm. Our Wine District is located on Highway 412 at our gateway near Maury and Hickman Counties. Finally, Lewis County is home to 50+ homesteader families who came to live off-grid throughout the county. Many are members of our unique Sonneshine Movement today.
Visit Lewis County, TN -
Hohenwald-Lewis County Chamber of Commerce (hohenwaldlewischamber.com)
Have you ever stroked a polo bear? Well you can, at the Lewis County Museum of Natural History. Did you know Meriwether Lewis was murdered here? There is a great place to discover more about this great mystery. The Lewis County Museum of Natural History and Discovery Center is a great place to visit.
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"The buildings are started, only with rough material, the carpenters are working every day to finish the in and outside of (them), so they be a light of the hardworking Swiss people and for the American citizens to copy our buildings...."
J.G. Propst, 1896
New Switzerland Developer
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The Historic District is located in the original 1895 New Switzerland Township. The Swiss Pioneer Union of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with help and encouragement from the NC & St.L. Railroad and developer J.G. Propst, purchased the land from Eliza Smith and divided the land into lots. Streets were laid out at 90 degree angles.
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The Blueways of Tennessee, in partnership with the County Government and Chamber of Commerce, recently sponsored the development of a new access point on the Buffalo River in Tennessee. The launch site provides kayakers and canoeists with a convenient location to enter the river and explore its breathtaking beauty. The Grand Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2023, at noon, and a cookout on Saturday with hot dogs and fixings.
The Buffalo River is one of Tennessee's hidden gems, offering paddlers the opportunity to discover stunning bluffs, caves, and waterfalls. With the addition of this new access point, visitors have even more opportunities to experience the river's majesty.
The Blueways of Tennessee is a program designed to promote and enhance the state's waterways for recreation and tourism. By partnering with local organizations, the program helps create access points and facilities that allow visitors to enjoy the natural wonders of Tennessee's rivers and lakes.
The opening of this new access point was made possible by the hard work of many dedicated individuals and organizations, including the Buffalo River Watershed Association, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
In addition to providing access to the river, the new launch site also features amenities like picnic tables, restrooms, and ample parking. These facilities make it easier and more comfortable for visitors to spend a day on the river and take in all of the sights and sounds that the Buffalo River has to offer.
The Blueways of Tennessee program is committed to preserving the state's natural resources while also promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth. By creating access to beautiful waterways like the Buffalo River, the program helps to highlight the unique beauty of Tennessee and encourages visitors to explore all that the state has to offer.
Overall, the opening of this new access point on the Buffalo River is an exciting development for paddlers and nature enthusiasts alike. The Blueways of Tennessee and its partners are working hard to ensure that Tennessee's waterways remain accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.
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Lewis County welcomes paddlers, fishermen, and folks of all ages who like to wade and swim in one of Tennessee’s most pristine and clean scenic streams – the Buffalo River.
Lewis County Government and Blueway Committee members and our state partners are creating Lewis County’s segment of the Buffalo River Blueway water trail for you!
This project has two important goals. First, we want to care for the Buffalo River as our most valued natural asset. Second, we are working to create public access points so that your residents and visitors can enjoy all that it has to offer including Kayaking, Canoeing, Freshwater fishing, Wading, and Swimming!
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We were so honored to have the host of NPR digital media’s “Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer” come and spend 5 days with us in Nashville’s Big Back Yard covering all that we have to offer his worldwide audience.
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Outdoors is the place to be! Lewis County has lots to offer land and water. Canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, just to name a few.
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The Buffalo River - Longest Wild River in the United States
The Buffalo River is the longest wild river in the United States, which means there are no impediments on the river, such as damns, and is a tributary to the Duck River. It is used for canoeing and swimming, and is named for the buffalo fish which was plentiful when the area was originally settled.
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More Articles ...
- Lewis County Memorial Park
- Devil's Backbone
- Horseback Riding
- Hohenwald Municipal Golf Course
- The Story of the Elephant Sanctuary
- Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer
- 10th Annual Musical Event for Davis House
- Amish & Mennonite Community
- Lewis County Tennessee - Chart Your Journey!
- Nashville's Big Back Yard
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