Dickson Community

Side-line experts, we often complain when local politics and programs seem to run amuck. We may mutter at a news story or speak aloud our opposition to a news article, but if someone were to knock on our door and ASK our opinion about how to solve a problem or improve a situation- from the Dept of Education to Social Services, or Judicial to Health Care- could we form a functional opinion? As we sputter out a “well, um, I would, um…”, on the spot, our view may be personal, but would it be informed?

Have you ever wanted to be one of the people on the other end of a news article, giving the solution to a community problem rather than feeling inspired but unheard? Counties, such as Dickson, are always looking for enthusiastic leaders in government and civic organizations. But how do you get involved? Where do you go to learn how various entities operate? Or what if you just want to know more about Dickson County?

Leadership Dickson County is a program offered by the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce, that offers answers and instruction, for inquiring minds, on the issues and operation of Dickson County.

Candidates for the program are selected through an application process, and although the program is tuition based, participants are often sponsored by their employer or local business to participate (there are a few scholarships available).

This is not high school Civics class revisited, this is instruction, activities and events for a total emersion experience of the history and daily operation of our county. Sean Stewart, a graduate of LDC, shared that “Being a part of Leadership Dickson County was a great experience and something I’m really proud I did. By the end of each day I was always really impressed with what I learned and experienced. Leadership Dickson County gives you the opportunity to learn how Dickson runs day to day and meet those who keep it going.”

The ’09-’10 session begins in September, meeting on the 2nd and 12th for activities including personality assessments, skills games, leadership training and a low ropes course. The remainder of the program requires a commitment for one day a month for 8 months with 8 different one day sessions planned . A topic of community interest or issues will be the subject of each session and may include: education, government, health care, social services, history, judicial, skills development, and team projects. There are various field trips, including but not limited to, the County Courthouse as well as the Capital in Nashville and each session is taught or lead by someone in local leadership and may even be LDC alumni. The LDC program concludes in May with a closing session on the 13th and graduation ceremony on the 20th .

David Cole, a local Police Officer and graduate of LDC, confessed that living in Dickson since he was 13 he thought he knew everything there was to know about this county but that LDC “opened his eyes to the inner working of the county.” What really surprised him was learning about tourism in Dickson County. He thought that was going to be the most boring day, but to his surprise it was the most interesting. David ” would highly recommend to anyone in leadership to participate in this community awareness program!”

Become an informed citizen of Dickson County and make a difference in our future.

The application deadline is tentatively July 31st, 2009.
For more information and to download an application: http://www.dicksoncountychamber.com , click on “About the Chamber” and then “Leadership Dickson County”. Or call Pat Reynolds, Director of LDC, 446-2349

Sylvia Market

Tennessee City, located approximately ten miles west of Dickson, originated during the Civil War in the 1860′s. Initially the area was known as Gillam and had a population of approximately fifty. A railroad was built through Gillam after the war. Routine stops were made which led to the name Gillam Station.

The name change to Tennessee City happened by urges of a northern man known as W.A. Schoenfeld. In 1866, Mr. Schoenfeld came to Gillam with an interest of growth in the area. Purchasing several thousand acres and planning a city with 20,000 lots, he formally requested the postmaster general for the name change. Mr. Schoenfeld believed the new name would draw a significant amount of settlers to the area. That April in 1866, Gillam Station became known as Tennessee City; however, the large growth never happened.

Another history highlight for Tennessee City is the Ruskin Cooperative Association or RCA. In July 1894, Julius Wayland, a Socialist, and a small group of followers purchased 1000 acres of land and formed the association near Tennessee City. RCA was named after John Ruskin a man who politically influenced Mr. Wayland. Due to their unorthodox religious views, they were widely unpopular with the citizens of Tennessee City and Dickson County. Eventually they moved to an area by a large cave near Yellow Creek, which is now known as Ruskin Cave. The colony ended in 1899.

Like many Dickson communities, Sylvia was established by the fruitions of the railroad system. In the 1890′s Sylvia became a prosperous railroad center on the Mineral Branch L & N. So much in fact, it competed with Dickson, White Bluff, and Charlotte to be the county seat.

Sylvia had many town amenities including a post office, livery stable, and many stores all located around the square. The town also had its own school. Initially it had one room but progressed to three classrooms. From 1903 to the early 1930′s three churches were formed: Sylvia Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, and finally the Church of Christ.

Sadly, several stores on the square burned down during the night when one of the owners placed a bucket of hot ashes on the porch. By the 1930′s many rail services stopped including passenger transportation. Sylvia then settled down to become a quiet community.

The Pond community was formerly known as Treswell. The name Pond came about due to an old brick mill that closed down which left huge hole where clay was used to make brick. Eventually the hole formed a pond, known as Hackett’s Pond. Treswell then became known as Pond Community.

Referred to as Rapid City by many railroad employees, Pond also played its part in the development of the railroad system when a local sawmill used to cut lumber into cross-ties. The Pond community also had one of the first hotels in the county. Owned by John R. Smith, it mainly serviced those who were traveling by the railroad. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1921. The railroad still runs through the Pond Community to this day.

By Sean Stewart

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This history report and the many more to come were all done by the class members of Leadership Dickson County.

Thanks to RandayBlaylock for the supplied image of Sylvia Market