Lewis County, Tennessee Local History How Hoenwald Got It's Name First Settler Built House at Cross Roads – Year 1878 (Lewis County Herald, Thursday, August 7, 1924) - transcribed by Rita Morgan Most every one in and around Hohenwald know that the word, “Hohenwald” is a German name and that it means in the parent tongue, “high woods”, but few know the facts concerning the naming of the town or how it all came about and who named it. The following affidavit sent us by Hon. John Trotwood Moore, State Librarian and keeper of the Archives gives a full explanation of the naming of the town as well as of the early history of the town. We were handed a clipping from a Knoxville paper some weeks ago carrying the same story but for want of room were unable to use it. In the fall of 1878, Warren Smith, with his German wife, Augusta Elida and son, Frank, camped under the wide-spreading branches of some oak trees at the cross roads on the Falliss old place in Lewis County, Tenn. These intersecting roads ran north and south from the John Mays farm, on Grinder’s creek in Lewis county, to Linden, Perry county, and east to west from Centreville, in Hickman county, to Rock House creek and on to Waynesboro, in Wayne county. The Falliss place had not been inhabited since the war, and at the time of the Smiths’ camping there, was but a barren sedge field. Within two weeks a plain, three-room box house was built and the campers moved into it. This was the first house built at this place after the Civil war. Smith looked to the future of the place, and prevailed on A. P. Grover to move to the Falliss cross roads and put up a store. Will Webb came from Mattoon, Ill., and established a blacksmith shop. A town well was dug, and school house built. A pony mail route was changed so as to serve the infantile community, as a post office created. The name was selected by the German wife. A reception was given to the lone horseman who carried the first mail in the little hamlet. The was welcomed in a brief speech by Warren Smith, and presented a luscious cake by Mrs. Smith amidst the assembled residents. The name given the post office was Hohenwald, meaning, in German, “high woods”. Since then the county seat was voted from Newburgh to Hohenwald, God bless the town my mother named, and all who dwell therein forever.” (Signed) Frank P. Smith Subscribed and sworn to before me the 12th day of July, 1924. (Signed) Jessie M. Houston, Notary Public Commission expires June 28, 1928 The affidavit was written by Mr. Frank P. Smith of Oklahoma and not by the Frank Smith known in the county. Mr. Smith lived here years ago and many of the older citizens will possibly remember him.