From Chickasaw homeland to Civil War crossroads, legendary sheriffs, and homegrown music — McNairy County's story runs deeper than most people know.
Long before European settlers arrived, the land that would become McNairy County was Chickasaw territory. The Chickasaw people were known throughout the Southeast as formidable warriors and skilled traders, and this part of West Tennessee was central to their homeland for generations.
The Chickasaw Cession of 1818 — negotiated by General Andrew Jackson and General Isaac Shelby — opened this region to American settlement. Within just a few years, families began moving in, clearing land, and putting down roots that are still felt across the county today.
McNairy County was established by the Tennessee General Assembly on October 8, 1823, carved out of Hardin County. It was named in honor of John McNairy, a distinguished jurist who served as the first federal judge of the Southwest Territory and the State of Tennessee.
Selmer was established as the county seat. The name Selmer has Norwegian roots, a nod to early settlers who made this place their home. Early life revolved around agriculture — cotton was central to the economy — and the small towns that grew up along the county's roads became the social backbone of the community.
McNairy County sat squarely in the heart of the Western Theater during the Civil War. The Battle of Shiloh — one of the bloodiest two-day engagements in American history — was fought just across the county line in Hardin County in April 1862, and the tremors of that conflict were felt throughout this entire region.
Families here were divided, as they were across much of Tennessee, and the war left lasting marks on the land and the people. Shiloh National Military Park, a short drive from McNairy County, stands today as a solemn reminder of those years — drawing visitors from across the country who come to walk those grounds and understand what unfolded here.
Ask anyone who knows McNairy County, and the name Buford Pusser comes up immediately. Pusser served as McNairy County Sheriff beginning in 1964 and became one of the most famous lawmen in American history — known for his fearless fight against organized crime operating along the Tennessee-Mississippi state line.
His story inspired the 1973 film Walking Tall and several sequels, introducing McNairy County to movie audiences around the world. His home in Adamsville is now a museum where visitors can learn about the real man behind the legend — a compelling reminder that sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
Pusser's home in Adamsville is open to visitors. Stop in and see the history behind one of America's most famous lawmen — it's a must on any McNairy County tour.
McNairy County has a musical heritage that runs deep. The county has produced and inspired musicians across generations of American music — from early country and gospel to rockabilly and beyond.
Downtown Selmer's Trail of Music Legends stretches nearly a mile through the historic district, celebrating the musicians born or connected to this corner of Tennessee. The Latta Theater & Cultural Center, a beloved local landmark, has hosted performances from some of the most celebrated names in American music history, including Carl Perkins.
That tradition of music-making is very much alive today in the county's live events, festivals, and the artists who still call McNairy home.
No history of this corner of Tennessee is complete without the slugburger. Born out of necessity during the Great Depression, the slugburger was created when cooks began extending ground beef with inexpensive fillers — flour, soybean meal, or similar — to stretch the meat and keep meals affordable for working families.
The result was a smaller, denser patty that was deep-fried to a perfect crisp. The flavor proved so beloved that it outlasted the hard times that created it. Today, slugburgers are a regional treasure found at diners and festivals across McNairy County — a living, delicious connection to the ingenuity of the people who built this place.
A quick look at the milestones that shaped this corner of West Tennessee.
Jackson and Shelby negotiate the treaty opening West Tennessee to American settlement.
McNairy County established, named for federal judge John McNairy. Selmer becomes the county seat.
One of the Civil War's bloodiest engagements unfolds just across the county line in Hardin County.
Depression-era cooks invent the extended patty that becomes a lasting regional tradition.
The man who would inspire Walking Tall takes office in McNairy County.
Pusser's story reaches the national stage, putting McNairy County in the spotlight.
Museums, walking trails, theaters, and traditions keep McNairy County's story alive for every visitor.
Museums, walking trails, historic venues — the best way to experience McNairy County's story is in person. Start planning your visit today.
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