Welcome to Centerville, Tennessee.
City Hall
We'rehere toworking toproud to make Centerville a safe, enjoyable place to live.
Welcome to Centerville, Tennessee
A place where the new blends seamlessly with the old, creating a unique sense of community and kinship. We invite you to embrace our warmth and make Centerville your own.
"Grinder's Switch is a state of mind – a place where there is no illness, no war, no unhappiness, no political unrest, no tears. It's a place where there's only happiness – where all you worry about is what you are going to wear to the church social, and if your feller is going to kiss you in the moonlight on the way home. I wish for all of you a Grinder's Switch.”
~~ Miss Minnie Pearl
Historic Charm on the Duck River
Centerville, with a population of about 3,500, sits proudly on a hill overlooking the scenic Duck River, just 55 miles southwest of Nashville. As the county seat of Hickman County, our town was established in 1823 and retains the character of a bygone era.
The town features:
- Historic Architecture: Old houses with unique character and limestone block fences.
- The Town Square: Dominating the top of the hill where Highway 100 passes through on its way to Memphis—an old pre-interstate route.
- Expansive Community: The town extends five miles north along Highway 100 through the Fairfield area and encloses the city airport in the Nunnelly area to the west.
The Home of Minnie Pearl
Centerville is the legendary hometown of country comedienne Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon). She became a national icon for her role on the television show Hee Haw and her long-standing performances at the Grand Ole Opry.. On the town square, you will find a life-like statue of Minnie Pearl. This tribute was made possible by former Mayor Gary Jacobs, the Grinder's Switch Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce. Visitors are invited to sit on the bench beside the statue and pose for photos with the beloved comedienne.
Events & Community Life
Centerville offers a vibrant mix of music, food, and outdoor adventures for residents and visitors alike.
- Grinder's Switch Music Hour: Enjoy live performances by local and regional musicians every Saturday morning.
- Town Square Events: The square serves as the hub for arts and crafts fairs, "Music on the Square," and special community gatherings.
- Annual Halloween Parade: A beloved autumn tradition that draws thousands of visitors for a fun-filled day of festivities.
Come experience the warmth, history, and community spirit of Centerville, Tennessee.
Mary Beth Pruett, Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon's great-niece, sits with a statue of her aunt, better known as Minnie Pearl. Former mayor Gary Jacobs, along with the Grinders Switch Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce, raised funds to arrange for a sculpture to create a life-like statue where people could sit on a bench with Minnie on the town square and pose for photographs.
