MCMINN

County Seat: Athens

In 1946 there was open rebellion in McMinn County between hundreds of World War II veterans and the sheriff over what the veterans believed was a fraudulent election. For about six hours the streets of Athens were blazing with gunfire, although no one was killed in the incident. But by the time it was all over the incident drew national attention to emerging conflict between corrupt politicians and the veterans returning home from the war.


For more on the so-called Battle of Athens, click here.


Harry Burn, after his historic vote
PHOTO: Sewall Belmont House Museum
Normally, politicians who waver and change their vote unexpectedly are heavily criticized for doing so, but a McMinn County native once did just that and is now celebrated for it. On August 18, 1920, a little-known state representative named Harry Burn changed his mind at the last minute and decided to vote in favor of Tennessee's ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment (which granted the right to vote to women). Burn's vote resulted in Tennessee's ratification, and thus the passage into law of the suffrage amendment.

For a detailed account of this event, click here.

We photographed the McMinn County Courthouse in Athens.

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