Lake County and the portion of Obion County in which Samburg is located in the extreme northwest corner of Tennessee and contains two incorporated towns: Tiptonville and Ridgely. Tiptonville is the county seat. Other communities in Lake County that are incorporated are Cottonwood Grove, Phillippy, and Wynnburg. Samburg is the only incorporated town in Obion County that is included in the Reelfoot area profile. The Tennessee Legislature created Lake County in 1870 by splitting off a portion of Obion County. The town of Wheeling, now known as Samburg, was laid off by William Henry about 1852. The Land of Lake County and the portion of Obion County in which Samburg is located is Delta-type soil, deep and fertile, laid down by the river through the ages. This level land produces good crops of grain, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, corn, and alfalfa. Very few livestock or truck crops are raised. Farming and agriculture-related businesses furnish the major part of the income and employment for this area, while the major income and employment in Samburg is from tourism. Reelfoot Lake State Park, said to be the greatest hunting and fishing preserve in the nation, is located in Lake and Obion County.

Industrial Access Highways

The Industrial Highway Act of 1959 authorized the State Highway Department to contract with cities and counties for the construction and maintenance of “Industrial Highways” to provide access to industrial areas and to facilitate the development and expansion of industry within the State of Tennessee.

The “Industrial Highway” must be a part of a highway system serving areas beyond the industrial property and rights-of-ways or easements must be conveyed to the State, as in the case of other highways. The State Highway Department must be given assurance that a specific industry will build and operate a facility on the industrial site before highway construction can begin.

A copy of “Rules and Regulations for Construction of Industrial Highways”, which contains complete regulations and a sample application, is available from the West Tennessee Industrial Association