Cheatham County Area Guide

Area offers pastoral living with small-town charm

If you’re looking for the peace and quiet of the country just a stone’s throw from the city, Cheatham County could be your new place to call home. The area offers a rich supply of wooded hillsides and open farmland, plus it includes several communities that are chock-full of friendly folks. The communities of Kingston Springs, Pegram, Pleasant View and Ashland City all offer a small-town feel despite the county’s rapid expansion.

Situated just 10 miles from Nashville’s western edge, the commute from Cheatham County to downtown Nashville is only about 30 minutes. Affordable housing is plentiful in either suburban or rural settings. Shopping options like Publix, T.J. Maxx, Sam’s Club and other large retailers are within easy reach in nearby Bellevue. Numerous community events throughout the year provide an opportunity for people to meet one another — another reason for the town’s strong feeling of community. Community life here centers on youth softball in the summer and War Eagle football at Sycamore High School in the fall. Each summer, the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department hosts its annual parade and picnic.

ASHLAND CITY

Ashland City was created in 1856 as the county seat for the newly formed Cheatham County. Ashland City is gaining distinction as a “bedroom community” for Nashville and the greater Davidson County area because of its accessibility to the Metro area and the more secluded and simple atmosphere found there. The area is fairly rural and undeveloped in comparison to the Nashville Metro area, making it a popular place to raise a family.

Ashland City is home to Sydney’s Bluff, located on the opposite bank of the Cumberland River from the city. Visible from most parts of the city, the bluff was carved by the Cumberland River and is popular with area rock climbers and hikers. Ashland City also offers an abundance of fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing and other outdoor opportunities. After a vigorous day in the outdoors, many residents head to Stratton’s Restaurant, known for its classic jukebox, delicious shakes and hand-dipped ice cream floats. Downtown Ashland City has completed a streetscaping project to make the downtown area more walkable and more attractive to new business. The Harpeth Shoals Marina opened in 2007 on the Cumberland River, and A.O. Smith, the largest water heater manufacturer in the United States, has its headquarters there.

KINGSTON SPRINGS

Kingston Springs, originally developed as a resort town along the railroad that ran between Nashville and Dickson, was known for its hot springs. Today, the town is home to a massive parks system with trails weaving around the Harpeth River.

Country singer Craig Morgan was born here, but there's more to the town's musical side: The Fillin' Station on Main Street hosts songwriter nights, blues jams and rock bands. Not far away, the Red Tree Coffee hosts live music on Thursday and Friday nights.

PLEASANT VIEW

Situated halfway between Nashville and Clarksville, Pleasant View is a small but rapidly growing community. The town has become the commercial center for both northern Cheatham County and nearby Coopertown in Robertson County.

Soon the residents of Pleasant View will be able to enjoy a brand-new area for fun and recreation. When completed, Pleasant View Community Park will include soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, football fields and one practice area. A skate park and walking track are also planned. The park will eventually feature pavilions and two age-specific playgrounds.

PEGRAM

A great place to raise a family, Pegram is often referred to as “The Pretty Little Town of Pegram.” Schools there are known for their high quality and small classroom size.

If a peaceful setting and friendly neighbors appeal to you, Cheatham County would be an ideal place to live. To learn more about Cheatham County, check out the Cheatham County Fact Book, published by the Ashland City Times. The comprehensive community guide is available at the newspaper’s offices located at 202-A North Main Street in Ashland City. To contact the Ashland City Times, call 792-4230.

DEMOGRAPHICS
2009 county population:......39,800
Growth rate since 2000:..............11%
Male: 49.9%
Female: 50.1%
High school graduates (age 25+): 75.4%
Bachelor's degree or more (age 25+): 15.1%
Median housing value: $146,600
Median household income (2009): $55,000

RACIAL BREAKDOWN
White: 95.9%
Black: 2.6%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.4%
Asian: 0.4%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0%
Hispanic/Latino: 1.9%
Two or more races: 0.7%

MAJOR COMMUNITIES
Ashland City (county seat), Kingston Springs, Pegram, Pleasant View

PROPERTY TAX RATES PER $100 OF ASSESSED VALUE
County: $2.78
Ashland City: $0.46
Kingston Springs: $0.78

ESTIMATED COMMUTE TIME FROM
DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE (37203):
Ashland City........................32 minutes

SCHOOLS
http://cheatham.k12tn.net
13 public schools, enrollment about 7,000
One private school

TOP EMPLOYERS
A.O. Smith, Cheatham County schools, Triton Boats, Trinity Marine, Walmart

KEY ATTRACTIONS
• Harpeth River State Park. 615-952-2099. www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/HarpethRiver
• Cheatham Lock and Dam. http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=H303040

MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
• Summerfest, Ashland City (June)
• Fourth of July celebration, Pegram (July)
• Cheatham County Fair (August)
• Art in the Park, Kingston Springs (October)

INTERESTING FACT
Redd Stewart, co-writer of "The Tennessee Waltz," is from Ashland City.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
County mayor: 615-792-4316
Sheriff: 615-792-4341
Animal control: 615-792-3647
County clerk: 615-792-5179
County schools: 615-792-5664
Election commission: 615-792-5770
Health department: 615-792-4318
Register of deeds: 615-792-4317
Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce: 615-792-6722
Ashland City city hall: 615-792-4211
Ashland City police: 615-792-2098
Ashland City fire: 615-792-4211
Coopertown city hall: 615-382-4470
Coopertown police: 615-382-7007
Kingston Springs city hall: 615-952-2110
Kingston Springs police: 615-952-9965
Kingston Springs fire: 615-952-9965
Pegram city hall: 615-646-0773
Pegram fire: 615-646-6800
Pleasant View city hall: 615-746-0600
Pleasant View police: 615-792-2098
Pleasant View Fire: 615-746-8528