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Guide To: Hendersonville, TN

Just a few miles northeast of Nashville, you’ll find Hendersonville nestled up against Old Hickory Lake and following the Cumberland River as it twists and winds its way east. The city was settled in 1784 and named for the city’s first postmaster William Henderson. At the time, it was a trading center mainly dealing in tobacco, hemp, horses, and cattle. Following the creation of Old Hickory Dam in 1954, the area saw significant growth.  Since then, it’s racked up more than one claim to fame. In 2021, Money Magazine rated it the #16th best place to live. It has also been the home to many famous musicians including Roy Orbison, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Marty Stuart, Conway Twitty, and more. Heck Hendersonville is even the final resting place for Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and visitors can still pay homage at their gravesites. 

“The City By The Lake” offers all of the fun in the sun one might associate with lake life, including fishing, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, boating, and more. The outdoors are easy to access, whether by boat or land, from a marina or a campground.  For many years, this was the area’s primary attraction, but Hendersonville has even more to offer!

The history of the area is a draw for anyone following the Civil War Trail or the Ring of Fire. In fact, during the Civil War, the local Monthaven Mansion pivoted to serve as a hospital and now houses a nonprofit organization dedicated to the arts. Visitors also enjoy the historic Rock Castle for a true taste of life in the 1780s, the time of the city’s founding.  

Families often flock to areas outside of the city for a simple life and place in which to raise a family. In the case of Hendersonville, the education is outstanding, starting with the well-regarded (and artistically inclined) Hendersonville High. It is also home of one of the nation’s top ranked schools, Merrol Hyde Magnet School, providing choice for local residents. 

Despite a population of only 62,000 people, the bustle and liveliness of Hendersonville are undeniable. The core of the city offers workshops, wine tasting, restaurants, shopping, theater, festivals, and more. In Hendersonville, the boom is just beginning, but its focus on historic artistic and cultural roots will continue to make it a fascinating place to explore, work, play, and (if you’re lucky) find inspiration from the stars.


If Hendersonville were a song:

“Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac