Beersheba Springs () is a town in Grundy County, Tennessee, United States, in the south central part of the state. As of the 2020 census, Beersheba Springs had a population of 434. A prominent resort town in the 19th century, Beersheba Springs was developed in 1854 by retired wealthy slave trader, John Armfield, who bought property in the area. It became a destination for wealthy guests from Nashville and other cities.
Tennessee author Mary Noailles Murfree later regularly stayed at the complex in the summer. The town now serves as a major summer meeting center for the Tennessee United Methodist Church.
History
In 1833 Beersheba Porter Cain discovered a chalybeate spring. The spring and surrounding area, located above Collins River Valley, were incorporated in 1839. Upon its incorporation, Beersheba Springs was developed as a summer rural resort with a small hotel and log cabins. It was notable for its mineral waters, which were thought to have health-giving properties. The resort would be popular with stagecoach traffic that would travel between Chattanooga and McMinnville. Beersheba Springs served as the summer home for Tennessee author Mary Noailles Murfree. It is still a site for Methodist Church assemblies and summer camps.
In 1980 the resort area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Beersheba Springs is located at (35.467209, -85.671700). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2020 census
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Beersheba Springs racial composition
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| White (non-Hispanic)
| 397
| 91.47%
|-
!scope="row"| Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
| 1
| 0.23%
|-
!scope="row"| Native American
| 2
| 0.46%
|-
!scope="row"| Other/Mixed
| 27
| 6.22%
|-
!scope="row"| Hispanic or Latino
| 7
| 1.61%
|}
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 434 people, 198 households, and 144 families residing in the town.
2000 census
As of the census The Old Brown Museum, a former country store, now serves as a community museum documenting the history of Beersheba Springs. The town, with a population of 477, is the home to seven churches.