History of Bartlett Area

ABOUT BARTLETT, TN

Bartlett Japanese Gardens

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.

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.

Bolton High School

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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