Jasper

Location: Jasper, the county seat, is in the south central portion of Marion County near the Sequatchie River on U.S. Highway 41.

Size: 3.07 square miles

Founded: Incorporated 1854

Population: 3,272 (2012 estimate)

Mayor: Paul W. Evans

Aldermen: Steve Looney, Leon Rash, Paul West and Mac Bumpus

Attraction: Jasper Regional History Museum

Schools: Jasper Elementary, Jasper Middle, Marion County High

Place in history: The building of Hales Bar Lock and Dam, the world's first multipurpose structure used as a dam and power source, turned Jasper into a boomtown. During the project to build the dam, which started in 1905, 3,000 men worked around the clock, seven days a week.

Famous landmark: A restored map from 1895 that hangs in the Marion County Courthouse is the oldest piece of history created in the community. It was drawn as an overview of the earliest settlers, Civil War and Indian history. More details can be found in "The Cherokees and First Settlers: Volume II of Marion County," by local historian Nonie Webb. Libraries in Chattanooga and Jasper have copies available.

"The greatest things about living in Jasper [are] when something happens, the whole community gets together - and Friday night football."

- Felicia Layne, lifelong resident and employee at Dutch Maid Bakery

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