Mayor Terry Harrell
A Welcome from Our Mayor
For those of you who are strangers to Winchester, it is located about 90 minutes southeast of Nashville, 60 minutes west of Chattanooga, and 45 minutes northeast of Huntsville, Alabama. You won't be a stranger long, once you've visited our community.
Winchester was named for General James Winchester, a veteran of the Revolutionary and Indian Wars. The city was incorporated in 1809 and is the county seat of Franklin County. During 2009 we celebrated the city's bicentennial.
Winchester was the home of Dinah Shore and Sir John Templeton with two of the main thoroughfares being named after them. Winchester also has strong ties with Davy Crockett and his wife Polly, who is buried just a short distance off Davy Crockett State Highway.
Winchester is proud of its schools, churches, business and industrial community. Winchester is surrounded by majestic mountains, lakes and rolling farmlands. Winchester is blessed by natural beauty that is the envy of every visitor. Progress has become the key word as the City of Winchester looks to the future. Winchester is currently undergoing major improvements in the downtown area including new sidewalks, lighting, and improvements to many of the building facades. One of Winchester's assets is that it lies along the banks of beautiful Tims Ford Lake. Winchester is also working with local investors in the development of the new Dry Creek Marina.
If you visit Winchester during the first weekend of May you can help us celebrate our annual Dogwood Festival. During this weekend we celebrate our rich heritage honoring our nurseries and the role they have played in several patented Dogwood trees. Come visit for three fun-filled days of food, crafts, and top billing entertainment.
Stop by our city for a warm welcome, big smile and a handshake. We call Winchester home and want you to feel at home here, too. Come visit Winchester and DISCOVER MORE BY THE LAKESHORE.
Mayor Terry Harrell
Mayor's Bio
Terry Lee Harrell was born December 15, 1948 in Manchester, Tennessee, the son of Thomas Clinton Harrell, a building contractor, and his wife Wilda Farrar Harrell. In 1952 the Harrells moved to Winchester where Terry's strong work ethic was developed during his childhood and teen years working for his father cleaning up construction sites, mowing yards for the public, delivering the Chattanooga Free Press, and clerking at Russell's Men's Store.
After graduating Franklin County High School, Terry worked locally in the banking industry while continuing his education at Motlow State Community College, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Georgia, and completing many other bank and finance courses. He is currently Community President of U. S. Bank in Decherd. Since beginning his banking career, Terry has been involved in the Jaycees and Rotary Club and has served on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce, E911, Consolidated Communications, and Tennessee Department of Rehabilitation.
Before being elected Mayor of Winchester in 2007, Terry served three four-year terms on the City Council, half of this time as Vice Mayor, and in 2006 was appointed to serve the remaining term of Mayor Richard Stewart, who resigned to run for County Mayor. In addition to many other city related committees, Mayor Harrell is currently serving on the board for the Winchester Municipal Airport and the Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission.
During Mayor Harrell's tenure as Mayor, the City of Winchester has been involved in many projects for the betterment of the City. Some of these projects include the Dry Creek, Downtown Revitalization, Airport expansion, relocation of Police Department, addition of new Fire Hall and expansion of the City Park.