| Grainger
County is the undiscovered gem of East Tennessee. Nestled in the
foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the 310 square mile mostly
rural community is bordered on the north by Norris Lake, on the south
by Cherokee Lake, and bisected in the middle by Clinch Mountain.
The county is a quilted patchwork of rolling farms and lush
woodlands. The people are friendly, and the pace of life is slow and
relaxed.
Grainger County has a long and colorful history. It was a
battleground for fierce fighting during the Civil War, and was once
home to a world class luxury resort. However, today Grainger County is
most famous for its delicious tomatoes, which are prized both near and
far. Each July, the tomato is celebrated with a festival in Rutledge
that attracts thousands of visitors.
There are three incorporated cities -- Rutledge, Bean
Station, and Blaine -- and numerous smaller communities including Thorn
Hill, Washburn, Central Point, Liberty Hill, Buffalo, Powder Springs
and Richland. Each community has its own distinct personality.
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