Hardin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,831. The county seat is Savannah. Hardin County is located north of and along the borders of Mississippi and Alabama. The county was founded in November 1819 and named posthumously for Col. Joseph Hardin, a Revolutionary War soldier and a legislative representative for the Province of North Carolina; the State of Franklin; and the Southwest Territory. Hardin County was the site of the Battle of Shiloh (also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing) during the Civil War.
History
thumb|250px|right|The dedication plaque for the Savannah, TN courthouse which is dedicated to Col. Joseph Hardin.
The Hardin Expedition
Two parties of settlers (totaling 26) struck out from Knoxville, Tennessee in late spring of 1816 bound for the general area which would eventually become Savannah, Tennessee. The first party, traveling by boat, came by way of the Tennessee River, landing in May at "the easteward curve of the Tennessee" at Cerro Gordo.
The second, and larger, party had traversed overland and encountered several delays. Upon the arrival of the second group, the parties finally rejoined at Johnson Creek, near present day Savannah. It was now July, and the pioneers set about the laying down of the first permanent settlement by non-Native Americans in the area.
This second party was led by Joseph Hardin, Jr., son of Col. Joseph Hardin who had, before his death, accumulated several land grants to the area as rewards for his Revolutionary War service. Joseph, Jr. was accompanied on the trip by his brother, James Hardin. James was the founder of what would become the first county seat, Hardinville. They had fought alongside their father in the war and had been likewise rewarded with their own land patents, as well as inheriting some of their father's unclaimed grants.
Other settlers in the expedition continued further downriver, establishing another community at Saltillo, in 1817.
County creation
For eleven days after its initial establishment (in November 1819), the boundaries of Hardin County reached Wayne County west to the Mississippi River. The establishment of then neighboring Shelby County and others continued to diminish the size of Hardin until it reached its present boundaries. being one of only eight counties in West or Middle Tennessee to support the Union. Earlier on February 9, 1861, Hardin County voters had voted against holding a secession convention by a margin of 791 to 395.
Hardin County was the site of the 1862 Battle of Shiloh (also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing) during the Civil War. The battleground is several miles south of Savannah, and extends into Tishomingo County, Mississippi.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (3.2%) is water.
Hardin County is located in western southern Tennessee (although part of the county is east of the Tennessee River, the county is considered part of the "Grand Division" of West Tennessee). The county is divided into two nearly equal divisions by the Tennessee River, which enters about midway on the south side and passes out near the northeast corner, flowing northwards. The length of the county from north to south is about 30 miles, and its greatest width, from east to west, about 21.
upright|thumb|Pickwick Dam and Lake
Adjacent counties
- Decatur County (north)
- Wayne County (east)
- Lauderdale County, Alabama (southeast)
- Tishomingo County, Mississippi (south)
- Alcorn County, Mississippi (southwest)
- McNairy County (west)
- Chester County (northwest)
- Henderson County (north)
National protected area
- Shiloh National Military Park
State protected areas
- Dry Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Pickwick Landing State Park
- Walker Branch State Natural Area
- White Oak Wildlife Management Area