Grace Moore in 1928 SOURCE: www.gracemoore.net
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.”
Grace Moore died in a plane crash in 1947.
Coal miners in Campbell County around 1900 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).
Jacksboro is the seat of Campbell County. A quick look at old maps of Tennessee proves that people weren’t sure how to spell the name of this town in its early years.
Melish map of 1818
The 1818 map by John Melish had it spelled “Jacksonboro.”
Rhea map of 1832
The 1832 map by Matthew Rhea spelled it “Jacksborough.”
1839 map by David Burr
Starting with this 1839 map by David Burr, the town became known as “Jacksboro.”
Here is the Campbell County courthouse.
