Altamont

Grundy County, Tennessee · County Seat · Cumberland Plateau

Established

1848

Incorporated

1854

Population

1,117

Overview

Thanks to the efforts of prominent local farmer, military officer, and state legislator General Adrian Northcutt, Altamont was chosen as the county seat of Grundy County. But long before the county was established in 1844, the area was home to the Chickamauga Trace, a Native American trade route, and the early stagecoach road that crossed the Cumberland Plateau.

Like the other communities of the Cumberland Plateau, Altamont is a nature lover's paradise with easy access to trails, waterfalls, and breathtaking views. The western entrance to the Savage Gulf Natural Region is just miles from the center of town. At 16,000 acres, Savage Gulf is the largest nature area in the South Cumberland State Park system. Altamont has seen significant growth in the last 30 years.

Fun fact: In the 1890s, one of the oldest Mormon congregations in the southeastern United States was established in Altamont.

History

A summary of Altamont's documented history.

Grundy County was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1844 from parts of Warren, Coffee, and (later) Marion Counties. It was named for Felix Grundy, a Virginian who migrated to Tennessee and served in both the U.S. House and Senate, and as Attorney General under President Martin Van Buren. The first county court was held at Beersheba Springs and at private homes near the present site of Altamont before the town was selected as the permanent county seat in 1848.

Altamont's name combines alto (altitude) and mont (mountain). The Civil War somewhat stunted growth, but by 1870 the population had reached 217. Altamont is also home to one of the oldest Latter-day Saint (Mormon) congregations in the southeastern United States, formed in the 1890s, with chapels built in Northcutt Cove (1909), along Main Street (1947), and off Viola Road (1981).

1844 Grundy County is created by the Tennessee General Assembly and named for Felix Grundy.
1844 First county courthouse: the house of Jesse Wooten, located between Altamont and the top of Pelham Mountain.
1848 Altamont is established as the permanent county seat of Grundy County.
1853 Second courthouse is built; it later burns in 1881.
1854 Altamont is officially incorporated.
1885 The third Grundy County Courthouse is constructed by Rhea & Patton. It stands for 105 years.
1890s One of the oldest Mormon congregations in the southeastern United States is established in Altamont.
May 3, 1990 The 1885 courthouse is destroyed by arson. County offices temporarily relocate to the Old Coalmont Bank Building.
1994–1996 The current Grundy County Courthouse is constructed — a two-story red-brick and concrete building designed by Williams, Inc. of Franklin.

Outdoor Recreation

Altamont is the western gateway to Savage Gulf State Park.

Savage Gulf State Park — Greeter Falls (West) Trailhead

Approximately three miles north of Altamont off TN-56, the Greeter Falls Trailhead is the western access point for Savage Gulf State Park. Savage Gulf became Tennessee's 56th state park in 2022 after separating from South Cumberland State Park. The park spans roughly 19,000 acres of sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, and old-growth forest.

The Greeter Falls area is centered on two waterfalls on Firescald Creek — a 15-foot Upper Falls and a 50-foot Lower Falls reached by a spiral staircase — along with Boardtree Falls and the Blue Hole swimming area.

Greeter Falls Loop: A roughly 1.2-mile loop trail rated moderate, with about 236 feet of elevation gain, visiting both Upper and Lower Greeter Falls.
Boardtree Falls and Blue Hole: Reached from the same trailhead via connecting trails and a suspension bridge over Firescald Creek.
Longer routes extend from the Greeter trailhead into the broader Savage Gulf trail network, including Alum Gap.

Address: 550 Greeter Falls Rd, Altamont, TN 37301
Access: Day-use trailhead with parking. No facilities at the trailhead itself.
More info: tnstateparks.com/parks/savage-gulf

Government & Civic

Grundy County Courthouse

The current Grundy County Courthouse, the fourth in the county's history, was constructed between 1994 and 1996 after the previous (1885) courthouse was destroyed by arson on May 3, 1990. Designed by Williams, Inc. of Franklin and built by Peery Construction Company of Murfreesboro, it is a two-story red-brick building with a four-column white portico and a central cupola, situated on landscaped grounds in the center of Altamont. The building houses the County Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court of the 12th Judicial District.

Address: 68 Cumberland Street, Altamont, TN 37301

Altamont City Hall & Library

In 1988, Altamont's former school building was renovated to house the Altamont City Hall and the Altamont Library and Museum.

Altamont Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 115 Volunteer Fire Dept Ln, Altamont, TN 37301

Local Businesses

A selection of businesses serving Altamont and the surrounding area.

Hwy 56 Coffee, Ice Cream & Creative Eats

A locally owned coffee, ice cream, and breakfast shop along Main Street in Altamont, serving pastries, breakfast sandwiches, drip coffee, and ice cream.

Address: 1590 Main St, Altamont, TN 37301
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday closed

All American Enterprises

A family-owned construction company in Altamont specializing in custom millwork, cabinetry, countertops, and commercial trim packages for retail stores, pharmacies, and motel chains across the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest.

Address: 1455 Main Street, Altamont, TN 37301
Phone: (931) 692-3987
Website: allamericanenterprisesinc.com

Tennessee Wholesale Nursery (TN Nursery)

Family-owned and operating in Altamont since 1959, Tennessee Wholesale Nursery ships native plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and wildflowers to gardeners, landscapers, and conservationists across North America. The business is online-only; orders are placed through the website and customers may pick up upon notification.

Location: Altamont, TN (online orders only — no walk-in storefront)
Website: tennesseewholesalenursery.com

Visiting

Practical information for travelers and day visitors.

Getting Here

Altamont sits at the intersection of three state highways. TN-56 (Main Street) connects the town to Beersheba Springs and McMinnville to the north, and to Coalmont, Tracy City, and Monteagle to the south. TN-108 connects to Viola and McMinnville to the northwest and Whitwell to the southeast. TN-50 connects to Pelham and Interstate 24 to the southwest.

Note For overnight accommodations and additional business listings in Altamont, please contact the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce for current, verified options.