What? ! ! !

To everyone's surprise, the U. S. Census Bureau's announcement of population growth statistics for Tennessee showed that Jefferson County -- that's right, not Sevier! -- was the fastest-growing county in East Tennessee in the 1990 Census. It was fourth in the state, with over 22% increase since 1990. See the chart below for details of Knoxville-area counties' statistics.

For the business community, this is good news. For the family and local historian, archaeologist, or anthropologist, it's a nightmare. Family farms are being destroyed; historic sites are being plundered for new housing. Even many small, family cemeteries are not safe from the developer's "machete" strokes. The once-glorious mountain views that surround Jefferson County are being obscured by buildings and billboards. In another generation, there may be no historical sites for descendants of Jefferson County's pioneers to come "home" to on a pilgrimage.

Note:  The foregoing statement is the opinion of the Webmistress, but it does not represent the opinion of many Jefferson Countians.

Graphic borrowed from the Knoxville News-Sentinel. No copyright infringement intended.