Tracy City
Grundy County, Tennessee · A coal-and-railroad town atop the South Cumberland Plateau
Overview
In 1840, local boys discovered coal — while chasing a beaver — in what is now Tracy City. The Tennessee Coal and Railroad Company (TC&R) acquired land in the area soon after the Civil War, and Tracy City was named after company financier Samuel F. Tracy. The quality of the coal was poor but was capable of producing industrial fuel.
Much of Tracy City's historic downtown was built between 1875 and 1895, when the company and the local population were at their peak. At one point, Tracy City was one of the ten largest cities in Tennessee. Beginning in 1910, however, the mining operators decided to rebuff demands from their workers by replacing them with convict labor, and job opportunities and the population suffered.
Since 1902, visitors to Tracy City have enjoyed treats from the historic Dutch Maid Bakery, as well as recreation at the Grundy Lakes Historic Area and South Cumberland State Park.
Fun fact: In 2010, a dead man was elected mayor of Tracy City. Carl Robin Geary died weeks before the election but still defeated the incumbent mayor 268 to 85.
History
A summary of Tracy City's documented history.
- 1840 Coal is discovered on Benjamin Wooten's land by local boys reportedly chasing an animal out of the ground.
- 1852 The Sewanee Mining Company is chartered by New York investors led by Samuel Franklin Tracy.
- 1856 The Mountain Goat Railroad is completed from the Cowan tunnel to Coal Bank, near St. Andrews-Sewanee.
- November 8, 1858 The first coal shipment leaves the Wooten Mine. The new settlement is named Tracy City after the company's president, Samuel F. Tracy.
- After the Civil War The Tennessee Coal and Railroad Company (TC&R), successor to the Sewanee Mining Company, becomes the dominant coal operator and develops Tracy City as a company town.
- 1873 Christian Marugg, a Swiss immigrant in nearby Gruetli, founds the Marugg Company, importing European-style scythes.
- 1875–1895 Much of Tracy City's historic downtown is built during the peak of TC&R's expansion. Tracy City becomes one of the ten largest cities in Tennessee.
- 1890 The Colonel A. M. Shook House is built for the coal industrialist Alfred Montgomery Shook.
- 1902 The Dutch Maid Bakery opens, founded by Swiss immigrant John Baggenstoss.
- 1905 Henry and Victor Flury open a general store that will become Henry Flury and Sons.
- 1910 Mine operators increasingly turn to convict labor, accelerating the decline of mining jobs and local population.
- 1915 Tracy City is officially incorporated.
- 1987 The Colonel A. M. Shook House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2010 Carl Robin Geary, who had died several weeks before the election, defeats the incumbent mayor 268 to 85.
Outdoor Recreation
Trails, waterfalls, and recreational sites in and around Tracy City.
Fiery Gizzard Trail
One of Tennessee's best-known hiking trails, running 12.5 miles one way from Tracy City to Foster Falls in Marion County. Maintained as part of South Cumberland State Park, the trail passes through Grundy Forest State Natural Area and features waterfalls, rock formations, hemlocks, and overlooks. Backpacker magazine has cited it among the top 25 hiking trails in the United States.
- Trailhead
- Grundy Forest State Natural Area, 131 Fiery Gizzard Rd, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Length
- 12.5 miles one way; rated strenuous
Grundy Forest Day Loop
A roughly 2-mile loop hike beginning at the Grundy Forest picnic area. The loop passes Sycamore Falls and Blue Hole Falls and connects to the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Suitable for casual hikers and families.
Sycamore Falls
A waterfall along the Fiery Gizzard Trail with a swimming hole at its base. Accessed from the Grundy Forest Day Loop.
Grundy Lakes / Lone Rock Coke Ovens
A day-use area within South Cumberland State Park featuring a recreational lake with swimming and picnic facilities. The site preserves the remains of the Lone Rock Coke Ovens, where coal was converted to coke during the mining era, much of it by convict labor. A 2.3-mile loop encircles the lakes and passes the ovens.
- Address
- 587 Lakes Rd, Tracy City, TN 37387
Historic Sites
Grundy County Historical Society & Heritage Center
A museum and research center preserving the history of Tracy City and the surrounding Cumberland Plateau. Collections include coal-mining records, Civil War artifacts, photographs, and a local history library. The center also houses the Tennessee Consolidated Coal Company Library & Research Center.
- Address
- 465 Railroad Ave, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Hours
- Please check the official website for current visiting hours
Lone Rock Coke Ovens
One of the best-preserved sets of beehive coke ovens in the South, located within the Grundy Lakes section of South Cumberland State Park. The ovens converted locally mined coal into coke for iron-making and were operated in large part by convict laborers leased from the state. A self-guided walking route interprets the site.
- Access
- Grundy Lakes, 587 Lakes Rd, Tracy City, TN 37387
Colonel A. M. Shook House
A 2½-story frame house built in 1890 for coal industrialist Colonel Alfred Montgomery Shook. The house is a vernacular example of the Second Empire style, with a mansard roof retaining its original hexagonal slate shingles. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The house remains a private residence and is not open for tours.
- Location
- Junction of Depot Street and Montgomery Street, Tracy City, TN 37387
- NRHP listed
- April 1, 1987 (#87000529)
Places to Stay
Bigfoot Adventure RV Park & Campground at Baggenstoss Farms
A 500-acre property combining RV camping, tent camping, cabins, a zipline canopy tour, disc golf, fishing, and event spaces. RV sites include 30/50-amp hookups and a bathhouse with showers. The property also offers a large rental cabin that accommodates 8–10 overnight guests and up to 75 for events, as well as shuttle service to nearby venues such as The Caverns.
- Address
- 518 Brawley Rd, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Phone
- (931) 592-6834
- Website
- baggenstossfarms.com
Goat Pen Hostel
A hostel-style lodging located adjacent to Hank's Corner Grille in downtown Tracy City, with multiple private rooms, a loft, shared living and kitchenette spaces, and a balcony. Designed for hikers, climbers, and budget travelers visiting the Fiery Gizzard area. Please note this is an adults-only (18+) facility.
- Address
- 24 Main St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Website
- goatpenhostel.com
Vacation Rentals & Cabins
A range of private cabins, cottages, and short-term rentals is available in and around Tracy City through Airbnb, Vrbo, and regional booking services such as South Cumberland Getaways. For up-to-date listings and additional lodging options, please contact the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce.
Food & Drink
Dutch Maid Bakery & Café
Tennessee's oldest family-owned bakery, established in 1902 by Swiss immigrant John Baggenstoss. The bakery still uses original family recipes and equipment dating back more than a century. The cafe serves baked goods, plate lunches, soups, salads, and sandwiches, and the adjoining gift shop carries cookbooks, kitchen tools, and souvenirs.
- Address
- 109 Main St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Hours
- Monday–Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday closed
Hank's Corner Grille
A family-run restaurant and bar on Main Street known for burgers (including the Soldier Burger), wings, steaks, scratch-made pizzas, and a rotating selection of cold beer. Live music, trivia nights, and a casual sports-bar atmosphere.
- Address
- 24 Main St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Phone
- (931) 592-4499
- Hours
- Wed–Thu 3–10 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Mon–Tue closed
Rosie's Farmhouse Kitchen
A family-style restaurant serving Southern home cooking, including breakfast, fried chicken, meatloaf, cornbread, and rotating desserts.
- Address
- 1382 TN-56, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Hours
- Mon 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Wed–Fri 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Tue & Sat closed
Potbellies Family Restaurant
A long-running family restaurant serving breakfast, biscuits, plate lunches, pizzas, burgers, and fried catfish.
- Address
- 268 Colyar St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Hours
- Monday 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.; weekend hours vary — please call to confirm
Dari Delight
A roadside diner serving burgers, fried chicken, catfish, hush puppies, paninis, pizzas, and ice cream.
- Address
- 740 Main St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Hours
- Mon–Tue 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wed 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thu 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat–Sun closed
El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
A casual Mexican restaurant serving enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, and margaritas.
- Address
- 106 Colyar St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Hours
- Please call to confirm current hours
Shops & Services
The Marugg Company
Founded in 1873 by Swiss immigrant Christian Marugg in nearby Gruetli, the Marugg Company has been making European-style scythes for more than 150 years. The business moved to Tracy City around 1891 and the current building was constructed in 1904. Today, Marugg is one of only two scythe makers remaining in the United States, producing custom Tennessee hickory snaths (handles) paired with Austrian Schrockenfux blades. The company building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Address
- 88 Depot St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Website
- themaruggcompany.com
Dutch Maid Bakery Gift Shop
Inside the bakery, the gift shop carries baked goods, handmade items, regional cookbooks, kitchen tools, and Tracy City souvenirs.
- Address
- 109 Main St, Tracy City, TN 37387
Henry Flury and Sons General Store
A long-running family general store opened in 1902 by brothers Henry and Victor Flury. The store carries groceries, deli items, hardware, seed, antiques, and offers delivery and credit accounts for longtime customers. Recognized by the State of Tennessee as a centennial business.
Ben Lomand Connect — Tracy City
A regional telecommunications cooperative providing fiber internet, telephone, and home-security services to Tracy City and the surrounding plateau. The Tracy City office handles billing, equipment, and customer support in person.
- Address
- 67 Main St, Tracy City, TN 37387
- Phone
- (931) 592-2121
Visiting Tracy City
Practical information for travelers and day visitors.
Tracy City sits in southern Grundy County at an elevation of roughly 1,800 feet along US Highway 41, between Monteagle and Pelham. The town is approximately 90 minutes from Nashville and one hour from Chattanooga via Interstate 24 (Exit 134, then south on US-41). The Grundy Forest Fiery Gizzard trailhead, Grundy Lakes, and the Lone Rock Coke Ovens are all within a few minutes of downtown.
Chamber Members in Tracy City
35 members of the South Cumberland Chamber of Commerce based in Tracy City, organized by category.
AUTOMOTIVE
Address:
1685 Altamont St. • Tracy City, TN
Phone:
(931) 592-2277
BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE
Address:
13915 US 41 • Tracy City, TN
Phone:
(931) 592-5300
CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING
Address:
154 Tucker Ditch Rd. • Tracy City, TN
Phone:
(931) 952-5107
FLORISTS
FOOD & BEVERAGE
HEALTHCARE
HOME SERVICES
Address:
1444 TN 56 • Tracy City, TN
Phone:
(931) 592-2092
INDIVIDUALS
Tracy City, TN
Tracy City, TN
Tracy City, TN
INSURANCE
Address:
81 Oak St. • Tracy City, TN
Phone:
(931) 592-6721
(931) 463-8105
LODGING
MUNICIPALITIES & PUBLIC SERVICE
NON-PROFITS
Location:
Tracy City, TN