CAMPBELL COUNTY

Grace Moore
Courtesy GraceMoore.net
County Seat: Jacksboro

Most folks don't know that a native Tennessean became a world famous opera star. Grace Moore was originally born in 1898 in Cocke County, in East Tennessee, and moved to the town of Jellico, in Campbell County. She had a wonderful voice and made a name for herself on the New York stage, where she became known as the Tennessee Nightingale. In the 1930s she also became a film star after a musical she did called One Night of Love. In 1947 she died in a plane crash.

For more on Grace Moore, click here.


Coal miners in Campbell County around 1900 or so
PHOTO: Sandra Byrge
The image of the beautiful and smiling Grace Moore isn't indicative of Campbell County's history, however. The history of this county is dominated by coal mining (and it is one of only four Tennessee counties that still has active coal mines today). The town of LaFollette was founded by an Indiana businessman of that name who bought 30,000 acres here and for many years operated the entire area as his personal business empire. According to a local history web site, "the LaFollette operation included coke ovens . . . blast furnace, numerous coal mines, iron mines, railroads and, of course, a thriving city."
PHOTO: Billie McNamara
Two places where you can learn about the culture of coal mining in this area are the Campbell County History Museum (423-566-3581) and the Dunlap Coke Ovens Park in Sequatchie County (click here for a virtual tour).

This is the Campbell County Courthouse.

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