It is located along Tennessee State Route 267 (Statesville Road) near Watertown.

The community was first called Smith's Fork and was officially established in 1812,[6] making it the second oldest town in Wilson County.

Local resident William Bumpass donated land to be divided into 19 town lots.

The community was originally named "Marysville" in honor of Mary Bumpass, William's wife.

The town became prominent in 1834 when one-fourth of the state's cotton mills were located there.