Greenback, Tennessee

About Greenback, TN

Greenback, TN, located in Loudon County, Tennessee, United States, is a vibrant city with a population of 1,102, as reported in the 2020 census. The city is part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In 1876, Lorenzo Thompson founded Thompson’s Stand, a general store situated a few miles east of the present-day Greenback. In 1882, Thompson sought to establish a federal post office and initially considered naming it “Thompson’s Station.” However, that name was already in use, leading him to choose “Greenback” as a tribute to local Greenback Party politician, Jonathan Tipton.

During the late 1880s, the Knoxville Southern Railroad (not to be confused with the larger Southern Railway) began constructing a rail line connecting Knoxville to Blue Ridge, Georgia. Developers purchased land around the intersection of this railroad with Morganton Road, envisioning a town that was initially named “Allegheny” after a nearby resort hotel. In 1891, lots were sold, and a depot was built. Thompson moved his “Greenback” post office to the Swanay Brothers Store in the newly planned town. Over time, the name “Greenback” gained favor over “Allegheny,” and in 1897, the railroad officially changed the station’s name to “Greenback.”

By the late 1890s, Greenback boasted three stores, a barbershop, blacksmith shop, school, livery stables, a hotel, and even two segregated baseball teams for white and black players. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) acquired the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern Railroad, which owned the Knoxville Southern, and the L&N’s Greenback Depot, completed in 1914, still stands today as a community events center.

Before the Great Depression, Greenback experienced significant commercial growth, with thirty-four commercial buildings erected. Sadly, a series of six major fires during the Depression destroyed over half of these structures. Despite the setbacks, Greenback continued to develop and officially became an incorporated city in 1957, with Glenn McTeer serving as its first mayor. The resilient community constructed a community center without outside help or funding in 1978, which now houses a library, city hall, and recreational facilities.

In 1964, Greenback gained attention when it became one of the first sites of conflict between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and conservation groups over the proposed Tellico Dam project. Local residents passionately opposed the dam’s construction during a meeting at Greenback High School, with TVA Chairman Aubrey Wagner facing strong opposition.

In 2011, Greenback received national attention when H&R Block featured the city in its “Greenbacks for Greenback” advertising campaign. The campaign reviewed many citizens’ taxes, resulting in significant savings of over $14,000 for the community. The celebration of these savings involved the historic Greenback Depot, Greenback Drugstore Diner, Greenback School, and Greenback Historical Society, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the city and its residents.