About Wartburg Tennessee

Tennessee Paddle presents a new map of the Obed /Emory system to the City of Wartburg. officials. Left to right:  Alderman Doug Freels, Dale Robinson of TP, Mayor Don Hall and Alderman Joey Williams.

The City of Wartburg Tennessee is located in the heart of Morgan County and serves as the County seat. Wartburg was established by German speaking Swiss immigrants in the mid-1840s. Wartburg has survived several difficult times and felt the impact of events including the Civil War, the Great Depression, both World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam conflict.

The City got its unique name from the founders who were struck by the similarities between the local terrain and the countryside near the Wartburg Castle in their former homeland of Germany. Plans are currently underway for a castle to be built on the mountains overlooking the City.  

Wartburg is quietly nestled in the hills of East Tennessee and is surrounded by a variety of scenic wonders. These include Frozen Head State Park, the Big South Fork Recreational Area, Catoosa Wildlife Area, the Cumberland Trail, and the Obed Scenic River system (including the associated streams and rivers).       

The residents and Morgan County and Wartburg specifically, enjoy the simple pleasures of rural East Tennessee life while being conveniently located within 20 to 30 minute drives to Harriman and Oak Ridge, respectively.

As mentioned above, the Cumberland Trail is being upgraded with a portion of the trail passing through the city streets of Wartburg.  

At last count, the City has 936 residents and the City covers about 4 square miles. Currently much development in and around the Wartburg area is providing opportunities previously not available. The City wants to be an active participant in the area’s development while highlighting, utilizing, and helping to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

As an example, the City is excited about the opportunity to host the 2nd Tennessee Paddle Festival April 6-8, 2001.   The organizers of the Festival have made Festival an annual event with proceeds going to the Obed & Emory watershed project(s) and other activities which support conservation in the area. An additional benefit and activity of the Festival is to educate the public about the opportunities and issues associated with the Obed and other natural areas.

The future of the City and surrounding area appears very promising. The upgrade of the Cumberland Trail, the castle project, and the continued enhancements to the scenic areas mentioned above will continue to contribute to the attractiveness of Wartburg and Morgan County as a whole.   

For information about our location, including directions, please visit the “the map” on the navigation bar to the left.

Respectively Submitted by:

Douglas R. Freels 
City Alderman