PICKETT COUNTY

County Seat: Byrdstown
Pickett County was the birthplace of Cordell Hull, one of the most important statesmen in American history. A congressman and senator for nearly three decades, Hull was the U.S. Secretary of State during World War II. He later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in founding the United Nations.

For a virtual tour of the Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum, click here. 

 

Pickett County is a predominantly rural county (it has 4,945 residents, the fewest of any Tennessee county) and has a rather unusual shape. In fact, it is impossible to drive a car straight from the western part of Pickett County to the eastern part of Pickett County; you have to leave Pickett County and go through Overton County (or Kentucky) to do so. This unusual situation has resulted in an agreement between Pickett and Overton counties. When it snows, for example, Overton County vehicles spread salt on the Highway 154 in east Pickett County in exchange for Pickett County spreading salt on parts of Highway 52 in west Overton County.

And here's the Pickett County Courthouse in Byrdstown.

Thanks to Pickett County Executive Stephen Bilbrey for help researching this page.