The Morgan County Chamber of Commerce continues to grow by demonstrating the value of the Chamber and effectively addressing the needs of the business and professional community.
The Chamber staff works tirelessly on behalf of its membership to improve the business climate and quality of life in Morgan County. The Chamber achieves these things by implementing new programs and maintaining existing programs. The Chamber is responsible for the Three-Star Program, Leadership Morgan County, Existing Industry Retention Program, Tourism Development as well as providing visitor and relocation information to the numerous inquires received each year.
We would like to thank our existing members for their continued support and the courage shown in their investment in the Chamber. If you are a new business or just learning about the Chamber, we invite you to join fellow businesses that are focused on producing the best possible atmosphere for business in Morgan County.Together, we can build a stronger Morgan County and a brighter future for our county. Please feel free to call the Chamber anytime.
Frozen Head State Park is a key attraction in Morgan County. Located in the beautiful Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee near Wartburg, the 11,869 acres of forest contain some of the most abundant wildflower areas in Tennessee. One of Tennessee's most scenic parks, Frozen Head boasts 50 miles of challenging hiking trails, passing by waterfalls, rock shelters and giant mountaintop cap rocks. Also the pride of Morgan County is Historic Rugby. In 1880, Rugby's British founder, Thomas Hughes, called it "a lovely corner of God's earth." Rugby, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, still has 17 of its original Victorian buildings. The Obed Wild and Scenic River also provides residents and visitors to Morgan County with the best in white-water rafting and canoeing. Morgan County is truly for those who are fond of nature and enjoy uncovering historic roots.
Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex
Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary now renamed Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex (also called Brushy) is a large prison near the town of Petros, Tennessee, operated by the Tennessee Department of Correction. Nearly encircled by a remote section of the Cumberland Plateau, escape attempts have been infrequent and almost always unsuccessful. The prison has a current capacity of 590. The current warden is Jim Worthington.
Among the most famous inmates at Brushy Mountain was James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr.
As of 2006, it is the oldest operating prison in Tennessee. The prison was founded as a result of the aftermath of the "Coal Creek War," an 1891 lockout of coal miners that took place in Coale Creek and Briceville, Tennessee, after miners protested the use of unpaid convict labor in the mines. This labor conflict was eventually resolved in favor of the coal miners with a bill passing the Tennessee state legislature to abolish the convict labor system, to be replaced by a modern penitentiary system of which Brushy Mountain was the first to be constructed.
On behalf of the citizens of Morgan County, I would like to welcome you to our beautiful county. If you are only visiting or if you are a lifelong citizen, we want to let you know we are glad you are here. Our county contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the State of Tennessee. From Frozen Head State Park to the the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park, from Historic Rugby to Lone Mountain State Forest, you will not find a more beautiful place to live or visit.
