The Town with No Name—Nameless, TN
On a long, remote road, you meet a lone rider astride his steed. You ask who he is and where he’s going, and he gruffly replies he’s a man with no name, on his way to a nameless town.
Whether the rider sits on a horse or a motorcycle, this type of mystery always catches our imaginations. You can experience such mystique for yourself by riding to Nameless, TN.
The nameless name is certainly mysterious, as nobody alive today remembers why the town has such a blank moniker. Naturally, this uncertainty has given rise to multiple, and often contradictory, origin stories.
One tale claims that the name stems from a clerical mistake. When the town originally applied to get its own post office, whoever filled the application form forgot to include a place name. So, the federal postal service dubbed the new post office “Nameless.”
Another story, also dealing with post office naming, states that the town was to be called Morgan after the county attorney general George Morgan. However, due to the recently ended Civil War, the name was rejected due to concerns that it would be associated with Confederate General John Hunt Morgan. In response, an irritated local official wrote that the town would be called Morgan, or it would be nameless—and that’s what it became.
Then there’s the final (and perhaps most credible) account, which claims that the townsfolk simply couldn’t agree on a name. As the argument dragged on, one of them quipped: “This here’s a nameless place if I ever seen one.”
Thus, a nameless place it would be.
Nameless Things to Do
Apart from the surrounding beautiful nature, the main thing to see in Nameless is the J.T. Watts General Merchandise store. Located at the intersection of SR 290 and Dry Fork Rd, it served the community between 1953 until 1978, before becoming derelict.
Davis Watts, the current owner and son of the original proprietors, restored the building in 2004. Since then, the store has acted as a museum, opening about four times a year for a get-together with bologna and cheese crackers, soda, and Moon Pies.
According to my best knowledge, the opening days are the Sunday of the Labor Day weekend, the Memorial Day weekend’s Saturday, and two Saturdays in October and December. If possible, try to time your ride so that you can participate in the fun.
Another significant nearby site is the Flynn Creek impact crater. This roughly 2.5-miles-wide crater was formed around 360 million years ago by a meteorite that crashed into the then water-covered area.
For more urban activities, head north to the nearby Gainesboro. There you’ll find the Roaring River Distillery, a local producer of handmade moonshine. Visit the location and grab a bottle (or a jar, really) for after-ride drinks.
In Gainesboro is also the Gaines House, the oldest standing structure in the immediate area. Built in 1839, this private home served as a Confederate field hospital during the Civil War. It’s rumored to still be haunted by the ghosts of the rebels who perished from their wounds. For even more history, visit the Jackson County Historical Museum.
You could also simply marvel at the beauty of the surrounding nature. Take a break from the saddle to visit the Standing Stone State Park, Cummins Falls, or the Center Hill Lake, to name just a few locations.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- J.T. Watts General Merchandise
- Flynn Creek Impact Crater
- Gaines House
- Standing Stone State Park
- Cummins Falls
Nearby Roads
SR 290, on which Nameless sits, is a short but calm rural two-laner, with a few fun sweepers to entertain you. For more similar riding but with more woods, head south to SR 141, which meanders between Gordonsville and Silver Point for around 18 miles. The scenery of farms and forests is beautiful, but be aware of the roughly half-mile gravel section near Center Hill Lake.
If you do get to Center Hill Lake on SR 141, you might as well hit SR 56 and 50 south for a romp through the Cumberland Plateau. From the lake to Pelham, these roads offer more great views, rolling hills, and a great assortment of turns in the curvy sections.
The Great Smoky Mountains and all their fantastic roads are also only about 2.5 hours away from Nameless.
Recommended Lodging: Wildwood Resort
The Wildwood Resort and Marina is a vacation destination some eight miles from Nameless. Sitting on the Cumberland River, you can sleep and relax in a stunning riverside setting.
At the resort, you’ll find rooms of varying sizes in the waterfront lodge, the lakeside inn, and the cabins (both on land and floating on water). You can take a break from the saddle for a day to rent a canoe, kayak, or boat and go explore the river.
For dinner, the on-site Lakeside Restaurant serves delicious American food by the water. There’s also a cafe and a small general store.
Food & Dining
With no restaurant in Nameless itself, you’ll have to venture to the surrounding are for your grub. Nana’s Place in Center Grove whips up homestyle food and barbecue straight out of grandma’s kitchen at reasonable prices. Find it at 3779 S Grundy Quarles Hwy, Gainesboro, TN.
Another option just a bit up the road is Helen’s Restaurant. This country diner serves exactly what you’d expect from chicken-fried steaks to dessert pies. Find it at 3013 S Grundy Quarles Hwy, Gainesboro, TN.
In Gainesboro proper, don’t miss out on the Stolen Coin Oyster Bar. The seafood is fantastic, but they also serve great Southern dishes for the fish-averse. Find it at 110 S Main St, Gainesboro, TN
Best Time to Travel
Riding in this area is at its best in the shoulder seasons (as it is in most places) due to smaller tourist crowds and more tolerable temperatures and humidity. Fall is a personal recommendation, as the foliage in the mountains and on the lakesides is stupendous—but keep an eye out for fallen leaves that can make the roads slippery.