The Calhoun area was settled by John Walker (c. 1770-1834), a part-Cherokee grandson of Nancy Ward and a prominent figure in the formation of McMinn County. Walker operated a ferry along the Hiwassee River and helped contract the Cherokee Turnpike Company in 1806, which maintained the road between Knoxville and Georgia. In 1819, Walker helped negotiate the Calhoun Treaty, in which the Cherokee ceded the remaining lands between the Little Tennessee River and the Hiwassee River, including what is now McMinn County. McMinn County was organized at Walker's house that same year. In 1820, Walker laid out the town of Calhoun, which he named for the Calhoun Treaty's chief U.S. negotiator, John C. Calhoun. Calhoun remained the county seat until 1823. The town was incorporated in 1960. Main Street of Calhoun has recently been designated by the National Historic Trails Service as an "Original Route" of the Trails of Tears.
Welcome to the city of Calhoun....small town charm and history everywhere!
CITY GOVERNMENT Calhoun Municipal Building P.O. Box 115 Calhoun, TN 37309
Mayor-Evan Thomas Commissioners-Sandra Day, John Walker, Dennis Goodine & Donna Goad City Manager-Joe Bryan Recorder-Becky Jones Police Chief-Michael Bledsoe Fire Chief-Evan Thomas Assistant Fire Chief- Street Department -Jerry Duncan Librarians-Mary Tickel, Sally Rollins, & Lynette Rodgers