White Pine & Baneberry offer small town charm

Depending on the adage of choice, “home” can mean practically anything depending on the individual’s perspective. Perhaps for some, ‘home is where you make it.’

If so, White Pine and Baneberry each demonstrate small-town charm, a strong sense of community, with nearby access to recreational, dining, and shopping opportunities, and the waters of Douglas Lake lapping at the Smokies as a picturesque backdrop to adventure or leisure.

For others, ‘home is where your heart is.’ If your heart is on the golf course, Baneberry is calling to you with a public, 18-hole course meandering through the center of town. More intimate by design, Baneberry is home to just over 550 residents whereas White Pine has slightly over 2,300 residents. Each can become ‘home’, – it simply depends on which is right for you.

White Pine

In the foothills of the Smokies with panoramic views from various points in town, White Pine has a cozy, small-town charm with growth knocking at its door.

Since the 2010 Census, White Pine has been growing at a rate of 0.21% annually and its population has increased by 7.29% from 2,196 people in 2010 to 2,356 people in 2020.

As the American Revolutionary War was drawing to a close, the first settlers of White Pine staked their claim to the area. As the railroad arrived, so did continued growth. Previously known as “Dandridge Crossing,” the town was founded as White Pine in 1873 with incorporation following in 1915.

With boat access to Douglas Lake and a short drive from bustling municipal areas like Morristown and Knoxville, White Pine is appealing to those who want a smalltown feel, but close enough to necessities, dining, and shopping.

Baneberry

The City of Baneberry is a quiet, family-oriented, resort community located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, partially bordered by Douglas Lake.

Lakeland Golf, an 18- hole course, is the central feature of the city, flanked by landscaped lawns and welcoming homes. With roughly 550 miles of shoreline along Douglas Lake, existing homes and future developments enjoy a view of the lake. Mulligan’s Bar and Grill greets golfers, residents, and non-residents with a full menu that has something to please everyone. Residents of Baneberry also benefit from a very active Parks and Recreation Committee that plans events practically monthly!

Services With the exception of water and sewer availability, utility services available to Baneberry and White Pine are very similar.

Baneberry’s Water service is provided by Witt Utility District. To establish service, complete the New Customer Application found on their website, https:// www.wittutilitydistrict. com/. Email the application to wud@roadrunner.com or submit in person. Call 423-581- 4895 with additional concerns.

The City of Baneberry does not provide municipal sewer nor does it provide a connection to sewer through an outside provider. Septic systems with drains to leach field system lines are installed on each owner’s private property. Installation may only be performed by licensed installers with approved city and county building codes and sanitation permits.

White Pine’s water and sewer service are provided by the town. To establish service, stop by White Pine Town Hall at 1548 Main St, White Pine, TN 37890.

Electricity service for both is provided by Appalachian Electric Cooperative, 1109 Hill Drive, New Market, TN 37820. To establish service, visit their website at https://aecoop.org/ and select ‘New Residential Service’ from the navigation bar.

Natural Gas and Propane Gas Service for both are provided by Jefferson-Cocke County Utility District, 122 US-25 E, Newport, TN 37821. To establish service, visit their website at https://www.jccud. com/ and select ‘New Service Application’ from either of the headings for ‘Natural Gas’, ‘Propane’, or ‘Customer Forms’. Once submitted, a Customer Service Representative will call to complete the application process and schedule any necessary appointments.

Internet, TV, Phone for both is most commonly provided by Charter Communications/Spectrum or AT&T in both municipalities Where Charter/Spectrum does not provide service to some areas, these are covered by other satellite service providers.

By Jennifer Winkler, Reporter