Hawkins County, TN
Hawkins County, Tennessee, founded in 1787, reported a population of 53,563 in the 2000 Census. Estimates in 2007 came to just over 57,000 residents. Hawkins County is part of the prosperous Kingsport – Bristol Metro Area, which extends into Virginia. Rogersville is the seat of Hawkins County, and houses all government offices.
If you’re heading to court in Hawkins County, you should know that Tennessee’s legal system includes four trial courts: the Circuit Courts, which, as courts of general jurisdiction handle civil and criminal matters and hear appeals from the courts with limited jurisdiction; the Chancery Courts, which exclusively hear civil cases and generally handle cases that fall outside the traditional common-law actions; the Criminal Courts, located in 13 of TN’s 31 judicial districts, which serve as relief for heavy caseloads in other courts, hearing criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals from the lower courts; and the Probate Court, which hears individual estate cases but only operates in a few districts. Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure are readily available to the public.
If you have a personal injury case in Tennessee, your claim will be heard in civil court. This Self-Help section of the TN Courts website will tell you what to expect in court. Once you’ve gone through a trial, you may have the right to appeal your personal injury case to the state’s Appeals Court or the Supreme Court. The Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court both convene in the cities of Jackson, Knoxville and Nashville, as required by the Tennessee State Constitution.
Hawkins County consists of six towns and two unincorporated areas, and covers more than 500 square miles. Church Hill is the largest town, with a population just over 6,000, and the fastest-growing community in Hawkins County. Church Hill was the shooting location for the film The River, starring Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek.
Historic Rogersville has just over 5,000 residents. The grandparents of legendary Davy Crockett founded Rogersville in 1775, making it Tennessee’s second oldest town. Found here are TN’s oldest courthouse, post office and inn. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places is Rogersville’s entire Downtown District along with many adjacent neighborhoods. Rogersville hosts the annual Heritage Days, a three-day event in October.
Bulls Gap, TN, population 700, also has a carefully preserved historic district, with 27 buildings restored. Found here is the Archie Campbell Homecoming days, honoring the Bulls Gap native son who went on to write and star in the comedy show Hee Haw. Hawkins County’s town of Mount Carmel has 5,500 people and is a bedroom community to nearby Kingsport. Surgoinsville and Mooresburg have less than 4,000 residents.
Hawkins County holds numerous events through the year, attracting a fair share of tourists, who delight in the restaurants and accommodations found here. Farming is a strong part of the economy, especially in raising beef cattle and burley tobacco. Hawkins is the second largest producer of tobacco in Tennessee. Over 12,000 industrial jobs are available in Hawkins County, with major employers such as AFG Industries and TRW Industries
Hawkins County, Tennessee, still a mostly rural region, nestles its proud past and impressive heritage in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.
