Lynnville, TN

Lynnville is a Giles County town on Tennessee Route 129 east of U.S. 31. Its name comes from Lynn Creek, where linden trees once grew along the banks. The first settlement, called Lynn Creek, was laid out in 1810; a post office opened in 1814, and the name changed to Lynnville in 1839. A water-powered mill, cotton gin, stores, hotel, and public square made the early town a commercial center.

The railroad changed the town's alignment in 1859-60 as the Nashville and Decatur Railroad planned a line east of the old creek settlement. New Lynnville grew around the tracks, and the present town was incorporated in 1907. The Lynnville Historic District preserves properties tied to early settlement, commerce, and architecture. Richland High School sits near town, while Route 129 follows the old valley route. Lynnville's streets still connect creek, railroad, school, and the older commercial center. The old creek settlement and newer rail town are close enough to share one historic district, even though their alignments came from different eras. That layered street plan is the town's clearest local clue.