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Bartlett, Tennessee… a growing community… keeping a small town atmosphere…and continually enhancing the quality of life
HISTORY OF BARTLETT
Bartlett, Tennessee, once known as Union Depot, still holds its flavor of stagecoach and rail transportation. The original area was settled in 1829, and was incorporated as Bartlett in 1866, being named after Major Gabriel M. Bartlett, a prominent businessman and owner of one of five large plantations on Stage Road, the main artery through town. This historical area within Bartlett has been revitalized and is now known as Bartlett Station.
 The logo for Bartlett Station is the stagecoach, along with the train. The CSX Railroad System still operates through the center of Bartlett, and it is easy to get the feeling of older and more simpler times. The residential area to the north of the business section of Bartlett Station has recently been named a Historic District. Sitting in the middle of this district is the Bartlett Museum in the historic Gotten House restored and operated by members of the Bartlett Historical Society. Located at 2969 Court Street, it is the original home of Nicholas Gotten built in 1871, and is open for free tours on the first and third Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The population of Bartlett in 1960 was at 508, and grew 1400% over the next two decades through growth and annexation. By 1980, it had grown to 17,300. The population in 1990 was 26,989, and currently stands at nearly 48,000. The landscape of Bartlett changed, as agriculture became second to business and industry. Retail and service businesses sprang up all along Stage Road (Highway 64); down Bartlett Road, Kirby-Whitten Parkway, Summer Avenue (Highway 70), Germantown Parkway, and many others. The Bartlett Corporate Park was formed in 1983 where over 200 industries are now operating and thriving.
 Located in the geographic center of Shelby County, Bartlett is adjacent to Memphis in southwest Tennessee. It is a great place to live and work and raise a family. There is easy access to and from Interstates 40 and 240, and Highways 64, 70, and 79. Enhancing the quality of life are eleven Shelby County Schools, five private schools, nine day care centers, and over nine church denominations. The City of Bartlett maintains Singleton Community Center, Bartlett Recreation & Fitness Center, Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center, Bartlett Senior Citizens Center, and twenty-four city parks.
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Bartlett, Tennessee …where residents take pride… officials have far-reaching vision…and both the Fire and Police Departments are the finest and are highly rated
BARTLETT CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Bartlett is governed by an elected Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Six aldermen are elected to four-year staggered terms. City elections are held in even-numbered years.
Mayor............A. Keith McDonald
Vice Mayor....David Parsons
Aldermen......W.C. "Bubba" Pleasant
......................Emily Elliott
......................Bobby Simmons
......................Jack Young
......................Rick Faith
Citizen Boards.....Animal Shelter Committee
............................Bartlett Arts Council
............................BPACC Advisory Board
............................Bartlett Station Commission
............................Board of Zoning and Appeals
............................City Beautiful Commission
............................Design & Review Board
............................Family Assistance Commission
............................Historic Preservation Commission
............................Industrial Development Board
............................Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
............................Planning Commission
Police Department:The Bartlett Police Department has 92 patrolmen and 65 cars which serve all areas within the corporate limits 24 hours a day. The response time is 3-4 minutes. Bartlett has an award winning Tactical Unit (SRT) with 10 members, a motorcycle unit with 5 Harleys, a bicycle patrol, two Canine Teams and 11 reserve officers. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) Program was first initiated in the Bartlett schools and has been instrumental in keeping students off drugs and keeping the lines of communications open between young people and law enforcement. The entire department consists of 141 employees.
Fire Department: The Bartlett Fire Department operates with 81 shift personnel and 9 staff utilizing 5 stations. There are three pumpers, one 75 foot aerial, one 95 foot platform, 3 ALS ambulances manned 24 hours a day, along with over 30 volunteers. The response time is 3 minutes, and the department has a Class 3 rating for fire insurance.
Utilities: Bartlett has its own water and sewer system. Electricity and gas are serviced by Memphis Light Gas & Water. Tax Rate: Property Taxes: $5.40 per $100 (City $1.31; County $4.09)
................Sales Tax: (State 7%; Local 2.25%)
................Tennessee levies no state income tax
Hospitals: Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett on Kate Bond in Bartlett opened June 1, 2004 with 90 beds. Methodist Healthcare-North Hospital and Baptist East Hospital also serve the Bartlett area. The metropolitan embraces other hospitals as well as a trauma center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
News Media: Bartlett is served by one weekly newspaper, The Bartlett Express, and a daily metropolitan paper, The Commercial Appeal. There are six local television stations, 25 AM and FM radio stations, and cable television, Comcast.
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FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
The following are annual events that take place within the City of Bartlett. All are subject to change.
Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Events
Call 901-372-9457 for more information:
Leadership Bartlett: Held January through May
Bartlett Business Expo: Held in the spring at the Bartlett Recreation Center
Bartlett Chamber Golf Tournament: Held in the spring at Quail Ridge Golf Course or Stonebridge Golf Course
Youth Leadership Bartlett: Held August through April for Bartlett and Bolton High School Juniors and Seniors
Bartlett Bowl-A-Thon: Held in the fall at Bartlett Lanes benefiting the Bartlett Education Foundation
Nightmarez...Stage Fright! A 3-D Haunted Attraction: Held in October
Holiday Heroes: Bartlett Chamber members give presents to the children at Youth Villages/Boys Town at a party in December
City of Bartlett Annual Events
Call 901-385-5589 for more information:
St. Valentine's 10K Run & Relay: Held on February 14 at 10:00a.m., beginning at Grace Presbyterian Church
Easter Egg Hunt: Held at WJ Freeman Park the Saturday before Easter
Relay For Life: Held at WJ Freeman Park from Friday 6:00 p.m. to Saturday 6:00 a.m. in May
Fireworks Extravaganza: Held at Bobby K. Flaherty Municipal Center on July 3
Bartlett Celebration: Held in the fall at WJ Freeman Park
Halloween Carnival: Held in October at Singleton Community Center
Holly Craft Jubilee: Held in October in Singleton Gymnasium
Bartlett Christmas Parade: Held in December along Stage Road
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