Humboldt, TN

Humboldt is a town in Humboldt County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,812 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Humboldt County.

The town was founded in 1827 by members of the Mormon Battalion who had just completed their march from Illinois to Utah. The settlement was originally called "New Zion". In 1829, it was renamed " Humboldt" after Wilhelm von Humboldt, a German naturalist and geographer. The first post office opened in 1829.

In 1831, Humboldt became the temporary capital of the newly formed Territory of Arkansas when it was divided into counties for judicial purposes. In 1840, it became the permanent capital of the new state of Tennessee and remained so until 1870 when Nashville became the state's permanent capital.

During Reconstruction (1865-1877), many African Americans moved to Humboldt to work on plantations that had been abandoned during the war or to take advantage of opportunities for education and business ownership that were available following emancipation. A black church was established in 1865 and a school for black children opened two years later. However, these early efforts at integration were met with resistance from white residents and eventually led to violence and displacement as white supremacists attempted to regain control over society and government institutions.

By 1900, most of these plantations had been sold or abandoned and most African Americans had left Humboldt for other parts of Tennessee or other states in America where they could find more opportunity. However, descendants of these pioneers continue to live in Humboldt today as part of a vibrant community that is committed to preserving its history while embracing change and progressivism ideals that are shared by many people throughout America today