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Dandrige in Top 10 of 'Best Small Town on the Water'

Dandridge, viewed here from the top of an earthen “saddle dam” that saved it from the waters of Douglas Lake, was recently named one of 10 fi nalists in a “Best Small Town on the Water” contest sponsored by a regional magazine. Photo by Steve Marion- staff writer.
 

Dandridge’s dot on the map is growing bigger.

Last week, the editors at Life on the Water magazine in Huntsville, Alabama, named the historic town one of 10 finalists in its 2013 “Best Small Town on the Water” contest. The top five, when they are determined later this month, will be featured in the magazine.

“That’s great news,” said Mayor George Gantte of the distinction. “We’ve known for many years that Dandridge is a great place to live and to visit — but I think the recent exposure from the bass tournaments has gotten the word out.”

Last May, the B.A.S.S. Elite Tournament came to Douglas Lake in May with ESPN2 in tow. In the autumn, Oakley Big Bass Tour with celebrity sponsor Rusty Wallace came to Douglas Lake, and this year the Tennessee Federation Nation brought in 125 anglers from eight states.

Fishermen are catching bass. Dandridge is catching attention.

Life on the Water is a Southeastern regional magazine that focuses on culture on southern waters. Those named to the Top 10 with Dandridge include Rogersville, Ala.; Aberdeen, Miss.; Buford, Ga.; Clarksville, Tenn.; Clifton, Tenn.; Columbus, Miss.; Grand Rivers, Ky.; Guntersville, Ala., and Ocean Springs, Miss.

“We had about 25 or so (towns) nominated that we started with and we have now narrowed it down to the top 10,” said Chris Welch, associate editor of the magazine.

Welch said all voting is done online at the magazine’s website at lifeonthewater.com. He said voting is through June 10 with the winner announced June 20. Those who vote will also be entered into a contest for a free weekend getaway.

“There are some wonderful and great towns all around us that are on the water or near water,” Welch said. “Front porches, historic homes, antique shops, marinas, sunset cruises — we want to find the towns that have these things.

There is a certain charm about small towns. We want to know what makes these small towns that are located on or near the water unique.”

Gantte credited Adele Sensing, Director of Tourism for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, with spearheading the bass tourney efforts and helping spread the word about the results.

Dandridge’s history also makes it unique. An earthen “saddle dam” saved the town from being inundated as Douglas Lake was built.

The town was named one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.” It is also one of Tennessee’s 24 “Main Street” communities.

Dandridge was settled in 1783 when settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains and found fertile lands along the French Broad River. In 1792, it became the county seat for Jefferson County and was named in honor of first lady Martha Dandridge Washington. In 1942, when dam construction threatened Dandridge’s downtown, its citizens petitioned in protest, and succeeded in obtaining funding for a stone and earth dike to keep the waters of Douglas Lake from flooding the town. This inclination toward self-preservation has served Dandridge well, as it enjoys a robust historic downtown defined by four early Nineteenth Century taverns and many early-to-mid Nineteenth Century buildings, and a strong sense of identity that is firmly rooted in its Appalachian history.

Douglas Lake now is a major recreational draw for the region and serves as a backdrop to the town’s outdoor events and festivals, including the annual Scots Irish celebration.

Standard Banner. Tuesday, June 4, 2013. By Steve Marion

For more great Tourism and Visitor information, please visit:
www.jeffersoncountyvacation.com OR  
contact the
Jeffesron County Chamber of Commerce:
Phone: (865) 397-9642
Address: 532 Patriot Drive
Dandridge, TN 37725 (Off I-40 and exit 417)
Email: asensing@jeffersoncountytennessee.com