County History
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Houston County was first settled in the 1780’s when early pioneers traveling the Cumberland River ventured up Wells Creek and settled in the area where navigable waters ceased. In 1871, Houston County was established and named in honor of former Governor and hero, Sam Houston.
A superior grade of limestone was discovered in the rugged hills. During Reconstruction flourishing communities Arlington & Stewart developed where the lime kilns were built. Five of these lime kilns remain and two are currently listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
 A railroad connecting Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee was built through what is now Houston County and was completed two days before the Civil War began. This railroad was built by Irish contractors with Irish laborers. The Irish named one of their work camps Erin because the clear creek, wooded hills and fog hovering over the West Fork of Wells Creek reminded them of the “Auld Sod” of Ireland. Erin is listed on a Federal Forces map in 1863 and during Reconstruction the railroad built a depot, hotel and round house in Erin.
 When the railroad was abandoned, Erin established the Betsy Ligon Park and Walking Trail on the abandoned railroad tracks and built the Railroad Memorial Pavilion. A four-panel tribute to the railroad workers is hung on the pavilion wall. A Box Car and Caboose is located in the park for display. The city of Erin has also added restroom facilities in the park.Other towns that grew along the railroad were Tennessee Ridge, Stewart, Mckinnon and Danville. Danville was flooded when the Gilbertsville Dam was built on the Tennessee River. A portion of one structure remains; the top story of the grain elevator built in 1870, stands above the Kentucky Lake Waters. Anglers still use the old structure for Catfishing.
 While blasting for the railroad a geological phenomenon was rediscoverd by the Tennessee state geologist. He found the rock strata to be uneven and many places shows signs of a complete upheaval. In the 1860,’s a geologist named Stafford reported this finding and one hundred years later, Vanderbilt University and NASA researched this strata phenomenon and identified the largest impact crater in Tennessee and one of the largest in North America. This seven-mile crater is called the Wells Creek Basin and is thought to have been formed by a meteor impact.
Houston County Library and the Houston County Historical Society collect history and genealogy of the area. This material is available for public use at the Houston County Library on Spring Street along with publications of Houston County History for sale.
The Irish railroad workers named the town Erin as it reminded them of their homeland hence the third Saturday in March has been designated for the Annual Irish Celebration. Green is the color with many hints of something Irish going on throughout the county. Events include Leprechaun Parade, Grand Parade, Art in the Park, Street Entertainment, Food and Craft Booths, the Tennessee 50th Regiment Civil War Reenactment Unit camps at the lime kilns. Talent and Musical Shows, Golf and Bass Fishing Tournaments, a week long Carnival, Irish Market and Luncheon, Irish Banquet, many Pageants naming Irish Royalty and the most esteemed honor naming the Lord High Mayor to reign over the Celebration and throughout the year all occur leading up the Saturday Celebration.
Adapted from the Civil War site map The Tennessee River Runs Through It.
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