Welcome to
Monteagle, Tennessee
Gateway to the Cumberland Plateau
Perched high atop the southern rim of the Cumberland Plateau, where the clouds seem close enough to touch and the forests whisper their ancient songs, lies the town of Monteagle. More than just a dot on the map between Chattanooga and Nashville, Monteagle is a community rooted in history, united by purpose, and cradled by nature.
Originally known as Moffat Station, Monteagle was founded in 1863 by John Moffat, a visionary and temperance movement organizer who saw promise in the 1,146 acres of rugged forest land. His dream was not just to carve out a town, but to cultivate a place of higher ideals—a refuge where moral, intellectual, and spiritual development could thrive.
That dream took shape in 1882 when the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly was incorporated. With a mission to promote the “advancement of science, literary attainment, Sunday school interest and promotion of the broadest popular culture in the interest of Christianity without regard to sect or denomination,” the Assembly laid the cultural and spiritual foundation for Monteagle—a legacy that still endures today.
Monteagle’s spirit has long drawn thinkers, writers, and seekers. Among them was Andrew Nelson Lytle, noted author and Vanderbilt Agrarian, who penned much of his work, including a biography of Nathan Bedford Forrest, right here in Monteagle.
Straddling the counties of Grundy, Marion, and Franklin, Monteagle is home to just over a thousand souls—people who know each other’s names, watch the seasons change with reverence, and gather when it matters most. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a lifetime, you’ll find a town that believes in community, welcomes conversation, and honors its past while building toward its future.
Of course, Monteagle is also known for something a little more infamous—The Monteagle. This dramatic stretch of Interstate 24, with its steep grades and sweeping views, is as legendary as the ballads it inspired. From Jerry Reed’s “The Legend” in Smokey and the Bandit to Johnny Cash’s “Monteagle Mountain,” our town has earned its place in American music and myth. And yes, during Tennessee’s wilder weather, it’s not unusual to see traffic rerouted to the old U.S. 41—reminding us that nature, here, still has the upper hand.
Monteagle isn’t just a place you pass through. It’s a place that leaves a mark. Whether drawn by its history, its mountains, or its people, those who visit often return—and those who stay rarely want to leave.
