In the early 1800's only an Indian trail marked the place where Adamsville would be founded. Indians marked the north side of the trees to keep direction. In modern times this trail would be developed into the David Crockett Highway and known as Highway 64. At some point it was surveyed out by Crockett who, for a time, served the district as a congressman.

The family of George G. Adams were the first to locate in the area we now know as Adamsville. A trading post was opened a little north of the Adamsville Cemetery. An Indian came to trade hides for whiskey. The settlers came in just after 1818 and Adamsville became a little village with the trading post and only a handful of people. The settlers had to bring a complete society with them: teachers, doctors, preachers, merchants and so on.

Adamsville, like most other communities, did not make much progress until road improvements came in the 20th century. Always agricultural, Adamsville remained so until the 1940's when the textile business began to operate. Myrna Mills came first, then several other factories.

Adamsvllle was to send Tennessee a governor in the person of Ray Blanton. Native, Sheriff Buford Pusser made a name for himself that now ranks alongside Wild Bill Hickock and Wyatt Earp. The town has remained a friendly place with a small town atmosphere of knowing and being known by everyone. The name "The Biggest Little Town in Tennessee" has been a very appropriate one. It boasts of one of the ten best schools in Tennessee, has numerous places of employment, the population and the work force being about the same. There are beautiful churches, homes and a type population that pulls together on the issues.

Selmer, Tennessee, is the county seat of McNairy County. Located in the lower southwest corner of the state near the Mississippi border, Selmer is home to approximately 4,000 residents.

Selmer’s landscape includes many beautiful hills and valleys. Summertime begins in early to mid-May and lasts into October. Gardeners appreciate the long growing season, which stretches from late March into mid-November. Winters are mild and relatively short with little or no snow.

Pickwick Lake, fed by a multitude of Tennessee rivers is located 15 miles from Selmer so water sports, fishing, and camping are popular forms of recreation in the area.

Selmer Public Schools are part of the McNairy County School District. Selmer operates three public schools: an elementary, middle, and high school. A new high school facility was completed in 1997 for the district's student population of approximately 450 students. Calvary Christian Academy (1-9) and Grace Christian Academy (K-12) are two private schools operating in the area.

Bethel College, a local higher-learning institution, offers a range of undergraduate, pre-professional, interdisciplinary and graduate courses and degrees. The Tennessee Technology Center at Selmer provides post-secondary education in the technical field.

Selmer is home to McNairy Regional Hospital, a 46-bed facility with a 24-hour emergency room..

The Robert Sibley Airport is located five miles from Selmer.

Major cities nearest to Selmer include Jackson (to the north) and Memphis (to the west).