Karns

History

The community was formerly called Beaver Ridge. However, in 1913 when the first high school building was erected in Karns, the school was named in honor of Professor Thomas Conner Karns (1845–1911), the first Superintendent of Public Instruction for Knox County. Later, in the 1950s, the community voted to officially change its name from Beaver Ridge/Byington to Karns.

Geography

Karns is located in the Beaver Creek Valley between Beaver Ridge and Copper Ridge, both of which are elongate ridges typical of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The center of the community is located at (35.982, -84.114). Elevation ranges from about 960 to above sea level. Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Clinch River, flows through the community.

Largest nearby schools

• Hardin Valley Academy
  High · Knoxville · 2,112 students · 16.9:1 ratio
• Farragut High School
  High · Knoxville · 2,096 students · 18.5:1 ratio
• Bearden High School
  High · Knoxville · 1,997 students · 16.2:1 ratio
• West High School
  High · Knoxville · 1,478 students · 17:1 ratio
• Hardin Valley Elementary
  Elementary · Knoxville · 1,415 students · 16.6:1 ratio
• Karns High School
  High · Knoxville · 1,394 students · 15.3:1 ratio
• Powell High School
  High · Powell · 1,347 students · 17.5:1 ratio
• Farragut Middle School
  Middle · Knoxville · 1,328 students · 16.4:1 ratio