"Today considered one of the finest governors to serve the state of Tennessee, Austin Peay III (1876-1927) was highly regarded
by Wickham for several reasons. Peay’s administration is credited with transforming the state by building roads and bridges, developing the state’s educational system, emphasizing rural rather than urban development, creating the first state park at Reelfoot Lake, and setting aside money to purchase land for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Under Peay’s supervision, a number of new roads appeared in Montgomery County. Peay opposed the reapportionment of civil districts,which allowed the rural population considerable sway over the state legislature, a tradition that lasted in Tennessee until 1965." -quoted text is from the 2001 Customs House Museum Online Wickham Exhibit.

The Austin Peay statue was dedicated by Halbert Harvill in1962.

Austin Peay State University located in Clarksville,Tennessee is named for former governor Austin Peay.

AUSTIN PEAY

THREE TERM GOVERNOR OF TENN
1923.25.27