Monteagle, Tennessee, situated atop the Cumberland Plateau, has a rich history marked by educational, religious, and social developments. Originally known as Moffat Station, the town was founded in 1870 by John Moffat, a Scottish-Canadian temperance advocate who acquired over 1,000 acres in the area. In 1872, Moffat donated 50 acres to Fairmount College, a women’s institution that relocated from Jackson, Mississippi. The college’s former site now hosts the DuBose Conference Center. (en.wikipedia.org)

In 1882, the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly was established, inspired by the Chautauqua movement, to train Sunday school teachers and promote broad cultural and educational pursuits. This initiative significantly influenced the town’s cultural and religious landscape. (en.wikipedia.org)

The Highlander Folk School, founded in Monteagle in 1932, played a pivotal role in the labor and civil rights movements. Notably, Rosa Parks attended workshops there shortly before the Montgomery Bus Boycott. (en.wikipedia.org)

Over time, the town’s name evolved from Moffat Station to Mount Eagle, then Mounteagle, and finally to Monteagle by the time of its incorporation in 1962. (en.wikipedia.org)

Today, Monteagle is recognized for its historical significance and its location along a crucial passage of Interstate 24, known for the challenging “Monteagle Mountain” stretch. The town continues to honor its heritage through preserved sites and ongoing cultural initiatives.