Cowan, TN

Set right at the base of the Cumberland Plateau, Cowan is a quiet Franklin County town with deep railroad roots and scenic mountain views in every direction. Trains helped put the community on the map back in the 1800s, and that history is still front and center downtown at the Cowan Railroad Museum, housed in a beautifully restored 1904 passenger depot. Between the historic downtown buildings, quiet streets, and wooded ridges rising on all sides, Cowan has the relaxed feel of a classic mountain cove town.

ATTRBrian Stansberry (photographer) / CC BY 3.0

Living here offers a peaceful pace while keeping everyday conveniences close by. Highway 41A runs right through town, making it an easy drive to grocery stores, restaurants, and medical care in nearby Winchester, as well as boating and hiking around Tims Ford Lake. With the trails and culture of Sewanee just a short trip up the mountain, Cowan gives residents a scenic, small-town setting with plenty to do nearby.