Town file
Monterey, Tennessee
Monterey, Tennessee (Overton County, Tennessee) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 368, "Good Fences, Dead Neighbors" (4 March 2023). In May 2009 the small town of Monterey, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau between Nashville and Knoxville, was the setting for a family quarrel that turned into a double murder and arson.
- Town
- Monterey
- County
- Overton County
- State
- Tennessee
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 368
- Approximate location
- 36.145, -85.264
Episode 368 / 4 March 2023 / 67 min / express
Good Fences, Dead Neighbors
"we're going down to monterey tennessee as a matter of fact" about 0:03:50
The case: Murders of Vita Clark and Roy Clark (May 2009). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2023
- Population
- 2,889
- Median household income
- $24,770
- Median home value
- $174,300
History, in brief
- Monterey grew from a settlement around a landmark known as the Standing Stone. about 0:05:18
- The stone was a guidepost for travellers along Avery's Trace in the late 1700s. about 0:05:31
- It is believed to have earlier served as a boundary marker between Cherokee and Shawnee territory. about 0:05:42
- By 1805 three families had settled permanently and the Standing Stone Inn was established for travellers. about 0:05:58
- The Cumberland Mountain Coal Company bought a large amount of property and the rights to the coal under people's land. about 0:06:16
- A contest was held to name the town; Major Robert John Moe Scrip submitted Monterey, meaning king of the mountains, because coal was king. about 0:06:38
The reviews read out
5 stars
"A small town of 3,500 at 2,000 feet on the Cumberland Plateau with mild summers; it is extending water and sewer service, needs businesses and jobs, and is more of a bedroom community."about 0:07:17
4 stars
"A small town where most everyone is nice, though as with all towns there are areas and people to avoid; there is not a lot to do but it is peaceful and comfortable."about 0:07:52
2 stars
"The reviewer's home area has gradually decayed with drug use and apathy towards education, and they plan to move once they finish their education."about 0:08:09
2 stars
"Not a lot to do but peaceful and quiet, with a close-knit community sceptical of outsiders; the new train museum is nice but only takes 40 minutes."about 0:08:29
1 star
"Places are not clean or sanitary looking, business organisation is sloppy and customer service is not a priority because customers have to shop there."about 0:09:07
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Gainesboro, Tennessee26 miles
- Whitley City, Kentucky59 miles
- Tullahoma, Tennessee76 miles
- Tellico Plains, Tennessee76 miles
- Whiteside, Tennessee80 miles
- Maynardville, Tennessee82 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.