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Highways and Roads - Historical Notes

Tennessee Code Annotated
Tennessee Attorney General Opinions

The following is a listing of acts which once had some effect upon the county road system in Houston County, but which are no longer operative. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Private Acts of 1913 (1st Ex. Sess.), Chapter 18, was a general road law which created a three-member Board of Public Road Commissioners, to be elected by the Houston County Quarterly Court. It authorized a tax levy for the improvement of public roads and had road duty requirements for all able-bodied men between 21 and 45 years. This was repealed by Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 23.
  2. Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 19, was another general road law for Houston County. It provided for one road overseer from each road district, to be elected for a one year term. This Act also contained provisions for road duty and a tax levy for road purposes.
  3. Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 19, was the next general road law for Houston County. Its provisions were similar to those of the 1915 road law.
  4. Private Acts of 1929, Chapter 673, created a Highway Commission for Houston County, composed of a Highway Commissioner and the Chairman of the County Court. It gave the Commission control of the county roads and the purchase of all materials. This was amended by Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 209, to provide that the Road Commissioner would be elected by the voters, and was also amended by Private Acts of 1941, Chapter 71, to set the salary of the Highway Commissioner at $1,200 per year.
  5. Private Acts of 1943, Chapter 238, was the next road law for Houston County, with provisions similar to those of the 1929 law. It was repealed by Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 366, which was amended by Private Acts of 1947, Chapter 180.
  6. Private Acts of 1953, Chapter 147, amended Private Acts of 1947, Chapter 180, so as to provide that the County Judge would serve as Chairman of the County Highway Commission. This act was subsequently amended by Private Acts of 1955, Chapter 213, Private Acts of 1965, Chapter 219, and Private Acts of 1974, Chapter 259.