Hohenwald is located on the western plateau of Middle Tennessee's Highland Rim, 1,000 feet above sea level. Approximately 72 miles southwest of Nashville and can be reached, via connecting state highways, from both Interstate 40 and 65. It can also be reached by approximately 60 miles via the Natchez Trace Parkway. Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River are both within 30 miles, and two Tennessee Valley Authority dams are within 50 miles. The land area is mostly timberland combined with gently rolling fields. The average spring-summer temperature is 67.5 degree's F., and fall-winter, 45.4 degrees F. Average annual temperature is 59 degrees F., and annual precipitation is 56.35 inches; average snowfall, 9.2". The frost-free season averages 213 days.
Lewis County was founded in 1843. Hohenwald was established around 1878 by a German immigrant family headed by Warren and Augusta Smith. According to oral tradition, Augusta Smith chose the name "Hohenwald" (German for "high forest") for the community. By happenstance, the rails and land adjacent to Hohenwald also attracted the interest of a Swiss American name J.G. Probst, who sought to establish a Swiss colony in Lewis County.
In 1895, the Swiss begin the colony (New Switzerland) adjacent to the village of Hohenwald--only a single street separated the two towns. Each had its own cultural activities and economic concerns, yet they shared a post office and railroad line. Local legend tells of residents changing the post office's sign back and forth between Hohenwald and New Switzerland. To resolve the conflict, a judge determined that consolidation of the communities was the only answer. The post office was moved to the larger community of New Switzerland, but the name for the consolidated town became the more established Hohenwald.
In 1910, about one-half of the town's 1200 residents were colonists, a significant number considering only 2,555 people lived in the entire county prior to the arrival of the Swiss immigrants. Hohenwald was chartered by the State of Tennessee on March 20, 1923. The previously accepted practice of allowing one's livestock to roam free was viewed as a nuisance by Hohenwald's new residents. In 1923, Hohenwald passed an ordinance that proclaimed, "Any persons owning horses, mules, jacks, or jennets shall be requested to keep them up and not allow them to run at large." Offenders would be fined "not less than one dollar nor more than five dollars." By the next year, the ordinance included the penning of hogs. The Lewis County Herald applauded the move because the town could now plant shade trees "as there will be no danger of the hogs rooting them up as had been the case."
Upon entering the old historic district you can visit the original Hohenwald Depot built in 1895. It was moved several times over the years but returned to its original location and restored in 1985. As you browse through the building you can stand where immigrants arrived to build their New Switzerland, where Thomas Edison came in search of cobalt for his experiments and where Nazi General Rommel's African Corps, serving as prisoners of war, loaded wood onto rail cars.
Located just next door is the Lewis County Museum of Local and Natural History. It has on display one of the largest collections of wild and exotic animal mounts in the Western Hemisphere. The collection was donated by Dan and Margaret Maddox and represents 50 years and 86 world hunts. The museum also contains displays on local history, beginning with early Indian artifacts and Meriwether Lewis' untimely death on the Natchez Trace in 1809. There are displays recalling the Swiss and German settlements of the 1890's, Civil War relics, and 125 bird eggs from around the world.
Hohenwald's Memorial Park contains 4 playing fields, Boy Scout and Girl Scout meeting facilities, tennis courts, basketball courts, shuffleboard facilities, one mile paved walking track, outdoor swimming pool, large and small community buildings available for use by the general public and is home to the South Central Area Fair each fall.
Located just minutes away is the Meriwether Lewis National Park created in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. The grave site of Meriwether Lewis, leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, who died there under mysterious circumstances in 1809 is located in the park. The Natchez Trace Parkway runs through Lewis County from North to South and parts of the original Trace are still visible in many areas of the county.
Also located just minutes from the City is the 112 acre Elephant Sanctuary. The nation's first natural habitat refuge for aged, sick or needy elephants.
During the summer months, residents can visit the William Tell Platz where various events are held including concerts in the bandstand built in honor of the music-loving early settlers. The Sonnenshien Music and Green Energy festival is held in downtown Hohenwald each June. And the Oktober Heritage Festival is held in the fall.
Currently in Hohenwald: