Karns, Tennessee

Karns is an unincorporated community in western Knox County, Tennessee, United States, about convert|11|mi|km west of the center of Knoxville.

Geography

Karns is located in Beaver Creek Valley between Beaver Ridge and Copper Ridge. The center of the community is located at coor dms|35|58|55|N|84|06|50|W|city (35.982, -84.114)GR|3. Elevation ranges from about 960 to convert|1000|ft|m above sea level. Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Clinch River, flows through the community.

History

The community was formerly called Beaver Ridge. However, in 1913 when the first high school building was erected in Karns, the school was named in honor of Professor T.C. Karns, the first Superintendent of Public Instruction for Knox County. Later, in the 1950s, the community voted to officially change its name from Beaver Ridge/Byington to Karns. [ [http://www.karnscommunity.com/ Karns Community website] and Robert J. Booker, [http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/opinion_columnists/article/0,1406,KNS_364_4392751,00.html Sources good for schools' history] , "Knoxville News Sentinel", January 17, 2006.]

Economy

Karns has grown from primarily a farming area to a community with a population of over 19,000. Mixed among the remaining farms and pastures are subdivisions, small businesses, schools, and light industry. Industries in the community include Unitrac Railroad Materials, a manufacturer of railroad components. [Ed Marcum, [http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/aug/23/chugging-along/ Chugging along:Karns-based maker of railroad components thriving as more companies ship by train] , Knoxville News Sentinel, August 23, 2008] The Karns schools are part of Knox County Public Schools, and including Karns High School, enroll over 3,700 students from Karns, Ball Camp, Hardin Valley, and Solway. Most people commute to work outside of the community.

Education

Karns is the site of several Knox County public schools:

* Karns Elementary School
* Ball Camp Elementary School
* Hardin Valley Elementary School
* Karns Middle School
* Karns High School

In addition, it is the site of Grace Christian Academy, a K-12 school operated as a ministry of Grace Baptist Church [http://www.gracechristianrams.org/ Grace Christian Academy] ]

Public services

Karns is the site of a Knox County public library branch, a branch post office, and the Karns Community Club building. [ [http://www.karnscommunity.com/ Karns Community website] ] The Karns Volunteer Fire Department serves a convert|65|sqmi|km2|sing=on area of western Knox County from four fire stations located in Karns, Ball Camp, Hardin Valley and Solway. [ [http://www.kvfd.com/ Karns Volunteer Fire Department website] ]

References