Union City, Tennessee

Union City serves as the Regional Trace Center for northwest Tennessee and southwest Kentucky, as well as the county seat for Obion County. This community was recently designated as a "micropolitan area" by the U.S. census. The city is centrally located relevant to U.S. population centers and is 140 miles north of Memphis and 175 miles west of Nashville (see map). Union City is served by all four modes of transport (rail, air, water, and highway):

  • Rail - Union City is directly served by the Canadian National (CN) Railroad, the only rail carrier in the U.S. that provides coast to coast service from the Atlantic to the Pacific as well as Canada to the Gulf Coast;
  • Water - The Northwest Tennessee Regional Deepwater/Slackwater Port is being constructed in neighboring Lake County, approximately 20 miles west. The port is scheduled to be operational in 2007;
  • Air - The Everett-Stewart Airport is located in Union City and has an existing runway of 5,000 feet. It's one of only eleven in the state with an ILS, and it has the capability to serve 26% of the nation's most popular corporate business jet aircraft at their maximum fuel capacity. Funding is currently being committed to extend the runway length to 7,000 feet, giving the facility the ability to serve 85% of the most popular jet aircraft in use; and,
  • Highway - Union City is presently served by U.S. 51 connecting to the Kentucky Interstate System and I-55 and SR 22 providing direct access to I-40 near Jackson, Tennessee. SR 45 is scheduled to be upgraded to four-lane within 36 months and will provide direct linkage to I-40 at Jackson. In addition to the four-lane highways, Interstate 69's construction start-up is anticipated during 2006.

In the 1850's, the railroad played a major role in the development of West Tennessee, especially Union City which served as crossroads for two major railways linking the south with the north.

In 1852, General G.W. Gibbs employed a civil engineer from Richmond, Virginia to survey for a location for a railline that would link Nashville, Tennessee to Hickman, Kentucky. He marked the spot by writing "Union City" with red chalk on a white oak tree. Union City became incorporated in 1867.

A lot has changed in 150 years, but Union City still honors its past. In the heart of Union City, you can find the renovated Capitol Theatre, Kiwanis Park, the Obion County Museum and the Church Street Railroad Depot. While in downtown, you can also enjoy the numerous restaurants, specialty shops and clothing stores.

Union City Contacts:
Mayor Terry Hailey (731) 885-1240
City Hall (731) 885-1341
Police Department (731) 885-1515
Fire Department (731) 885-4851
Post Office (P.O. Box - 38281, Street Address - 38261) (731) 885-9711

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