Lebanon, Tennessee in Wilson County may be a city on the rise, but it still has all the appeal of a quaint small town. From the beautiful historic town square and world-famous Wilson County Fair to the scenic Cedars of Lebanon State Park and the picturesque campus of Cumberland State University, you would never know that Lebanon is just 25 miles east of the hustle and bustle of Downtown Nashville.
As a matter of fact, commuters can hop on Interstate 40 or the Music City Star rail service and be in the city in minutes, but Lebanon itself has many job opportunities in its own right. The city is the home of the corporate headquarters of both Cracker Barrel and Lochinvar, and Dell has a corporate office here, as well.
Lebanon has served as the setting for the filming of a number of movies, as well as music videos featuring some of music’s biggest stars, such as Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift. This is just another testament to how beautiful the city is, how friendly its residents are, and how strong the local economy is. Throw in the low property taxes, good schools, and proximity to business and entertainment opportunities, and Lebanon is easily one of the best places in the Metropolitan Nashville area to call home.
History of Lebanon
The city of Lebanon incorporated in 1819, just 23 years after Tennessee became a state. Settlers could not help but notice the abundance of cedar trees in the area and named it for the Lebanese cedar trees mentioned in the Bible. By the mid-1800s, Lebanon was a thriving business and education center, but many of its residents left to fight during the Civil War under General Robert Hatton. The area where the town square sits today was the location of a major battle fought on May 5, 1862. After the war, the railroads came to town, bringing more businesses opportunities with them.
After World War II, the city became the home of the first industrial park in Tennessee.
Local Attractions
Even though Lebanon is just minutes from all Nashville has to offer, there is plenty to do here within the city limits and within Wilson County. Learn about the area’s past at the City of Lebanon Museum and History Center or the Wilson County Museum which features over 200 years of artifacts. One of the city’s main attraction is the annual Wilson County Fair, which is considered to be one of the top 50 fairs in the United States. It takes place in August and includes good food, great live music, prize-winning animals, and plenty of carnival rides and family-friendly fun.
When it comes to shopping, Lebanon has something for everyone. People come from all over Middle Tennessee to shop at the Lebanon Premium Outlets. Here you will find stores like Jones New York, Ann Taylor, Gap, Guess, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Reebok, and more. For something a little more downhome, the historic town square features several antique and gift shops, and you can pick your own apples and peaches seasonally at the Pratt’s Orchard and Garden Center. You can also visit the original Cracker Barrel Old Country Store right in Lebanon.
Parks and Playgrounds
One of Lebanon’s top attractions is the 900-acre Cedars of Lebanon State Park. This scenic location is one of the most popular state parks in Tennessee and is home to over 117 campsites with electricity and water hookups, picnic tables, and grills. It is also a popular equestrian spot with overnight boarding, rental horses, and trails. There are over 8 miles of walking trails.
Another popular park in the city is the Don Fox Community Park, which is home to picnic pavilions, 35,000 square feet of playgrounds, a track, volleyball courts, and much more. The city’s Jimmy Floyd Family Fun Center offers group exercise classes, basketball, karate, a swimming pool, an indoor track, racquetball, gym equipment, and much more. Lebanon even offers a vast selection of youth sports opportunities for most ages, including basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, and flag football.
Real Estate Information
In Lebanon, you will find a home style and price range to suit all tastes and budgets. The average listing price for a home is just around $210,000. Lower prices and lower property taxes are one of the reasons why people are opting to move out of Nashville and into this part of the metropolitan area. Cottage and ranch-style homes built over the last century are scattered throughout the city, but you will also find a selection of new construction and traditional brick and Cape Cod style homes in established neighborhoods, as well as some farmland. If you want to start from scratch and build your own dream home, there is plenty of property available in this gorgeous part of Middle Tennessee.
Schools in Lebanon
Elementary Schools
- Byars Dowdy Elementary School
- Coles Ferry Elementary School
- Sam Houston Elementary School
- Castle Heights Elementary School
- Southside Elementary School
- Carroll Oakland School (K-8)
- Tuckers Crossroads School (K-8)
Middle Schools
- Walter J. Baird Middle School
- Winfree Bryant Middle School
High Schools
- Lebanon High School
- Wilson Central High School
