Rock Island was once seat of White County

On Sunday, Dillon reports, Warren County celebrated its 199th birthday, and the countdown officially starts toward our 200th birthday on Nov. 26, 2007.

In 1806, those living in Warren County found the following conditions:

? Warren County was in the newly created White County, which was formed from Smith County on Sept. 11, 1806.

? White County began actual operation Oct. 16, 1806 when the first court was held at the home of Joseph Terry in Rock Island, the White County seat at that time.

? There were no roads or bridges. Rivers were forged or crossed by rafts and later by ferry.

? There were no stores, supply points or manufacturing businesses, but Christian Shell had established a grist mill at Shellsford.

? Settlers coming to the county fed their hogs, which they brought along on their journey, with the plentiful mast (tree nuts) from the majestic beech, chestnut and oak trees in the area.

? Dense canebrakes provided fodder for cattle and horses. Lots of free-flowing, pure springs and streams provided ample water.

? It took four days on horseback to reach the state capitol, which at that time was in Knoxville.

? Tennessee, as a state, was only 10 years old, having been created June 1, 1796.

? The Birthing Tree was growing beside Old Kentucky Road, and the some 2,000 new settlers in the area were convinced this was God?s country.