The Historic Court Square: All Roads Lead to Charlotte
By Justin R. Spurlock
Long before the city of Dickson emerged as the county's commercial center, Charlotte stood at the crossroads of Middle Tennessee history.
Established in 1804 as the county seat of the newly created Dickson County, Charlotte is one of the oldest communities in the region and remains one of Tennessee's most important historic towns. For more than 220 years, it has served as the center of county government while preserving a unique connection to the state's frontier past.
The town was named in honor of Charlotte Reeves Robertson, one of the most remarkable women in Tennessee history.
Born in North Carolina in 1751, Charlotte Reeves married James Robertson, the man later known as the "Father of Middle Tennessee." Together, they helped establish the Watauga settlement in East Tennessee during the 1770s, one of the first permanent settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Life on the frontier demanded courage, determination, and sacrifice. While James Robertson explored new lands and led settlers westward, Charlotte managed farms, raised children, and endured the hardships of frontier life. She was far more than the wife of a pioneer leader. Historical accounts describe her as intelligent, resourceful, and fearless.
In late 1779, James Robertson led an overland expedition to the Cumberland settlement at French Lick, the future site of Nashville. Charlotte followed several months later as part of John Donelson's famous river expedition. Traveling by flatboat with women and children through hundreds of miles of wilderness, the journey was filled with danger from disease, hunger, harsh weather, and the constant threat of attack.
By the time of her death in 1843 at the age of 93, Charlotte Robertson was regarded as one of the most respected pioneers in Middle Tennessee. It was fitting that when Dickson County leaders selected a site for their new county seat in 1804, they chose to honor her by naming the town Charlotte.
The community quickly became an important center of government, education, and commerce. Early leaders, including Montgomery Bell and Sterling Brewer, laid out the town around a public square. Roads radiated outward toward Nashville, Clarksville, Columbia, Franklin, and the Natchez Trace, making Charlotte a major transportation hub for travelers and merchants.
Charlotte's importance extended well beyond Dickson County. From 1819 until 1827, the Tennessee Supreme Court met in the town. The community also became an educational center, with Tracy Academy established in 1806 and later institutions serving generations of local students.
One of the most dramatic events in the town's history occurred on May 30, 1830, when a powerful tornado nearly destroyed Charlotte. The courthouse suffered extensive damage, public records were scattered across the countryside, and many buildings were destroyed. Yet the community rebuilt and continued to prosper.
During the 1840s, Charlotte nearly became the capital of Tennessee. When lawmakers considered relocating the state capital, Charlotte finished a few votes behind Nashville. Had history unfolded differently, Tennessee's political center might have been located in Dickson County.
The arrival of the railroad after the Civil War shifted growth toward newer communities such as Dickson, Burns, and White Bluff. While those towns grew into commercial and industrial centers, Charlotte retained its role as the county seat and guardian of local history.
Today, the Charlotte Courthouse Square Historic District stands as one of Tennessee's most treasured historic sites. At its center is the Dickson County Courthouse, recognized as the oldest courthouse still in continuous use in Tennessee.
Walking through Charlotte today offers a glimpse into the county's past. Historic buildings surround the square, preserving the appearance and character of a nineteenth century county seat. It remains a place where history is not simply remembered—it is lived every day.
More than two centuries after its founding, Charlotte continues to represent the spirit of Dickson County: resilient, proud, and deeply connected to its roots. Its story is inseparable from the story of the county itself, and the legacy of Charlotte Reeves Robertson remains woven into the fabric of the community that bears her name.