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Henderson County TN From the "History of Henderson County TN" by Auburn Powers 1930 Darden is a small town in the eastern part of the County near the Decatur County line. It contains about seventy-five inhabitants, three stores, a post office, and a bank. The present merchants are Berry Moore, W. R. Powers, Edgar Thomas, and J. B. Miliner. The postmaster is Berry Moore and the cashier of the bank is W. 0. Hill. When the railroad was opened up and a post office established, a name had to be given the place. A man spoke up and said "Mills Darden is undoubtedly the largest man on earth. So lets name this place Darden". With that, the place was so named. It has been the conception of the people that Mills Dardens home was at Darden, but it was not.
Henderson County TN From the "History of Henderson County Schools" by Louise Oakley (County Fair Project 1940)
Darden was named in honor of Mills Darden, a resident of Henderson County who was noted for his unusual size. At one time he weighed 1000 lbs. It is said his coat would encompass three ordinary men.
The first settler were Jacky J ones, Fred Owens, Lafayette Reeves, Bill and Lawson Elliott, Andy Derryberry and Lawson Boren. The "Aunt Tense Hays House" is the oldest dwelling now standing. It is now occupied by Esta Tyner.
The oldest church is the Baptist Church built in 1895. It was burned in 1905 and replaced in 1908 by the one now used. There is one other church, the Pentecostal, built in 1920.
Hendrix and Moore had the first store. L.B. Moore is still in business in the old depot. There are two other stores owned by Carmon Hill and W.R. Powers. The largest number of stores at one time was seven.
In 1889 the Tennessee-Midland railroad built at depot on the land of S.H. Newman. This was the beginning of Darden. Prior to that time the territory between Big Creek and Browns Creek was known as "The Nation". The first depot agent was H.N. Gilbert and the last one was Pete Brown, now a resident of Lexington. After the completion of Hwy. 20 in 1933, the railroad service was discontinued and later the track was taken up. The postoffice now occupies the old depot.
Darden postoffice has one rural route. The first carrier was John Sullivan. The present carrier is Murray Austin of Lexington. Darden was fortunate in securing electric current when the Tennessee Electric Power Co. built its transmission line into Lexington in 1931. Darden has a cotton gin and grist mill owned by W.O. Hill. There is also a filling station operated by Albert Herndon and a barber shop owned by Jack Hays.
Darden school takes it name from the town. It now occupies a brick building erected in 1928. This is the second building. The first was torn down after the construction of the present. The old building at first had but one room, but later a petition was added. The first teacher was Professor Denver. Some of the early teachers were Professors Cole, Fagg and Spence.
The new building was built according to a state plan. It has four rooms, three cloakrooms, a hall and a stage. The school ground contains 5 acres with 1/2 acre in pines. Darden school has $885 worth of school materials. The present teachers are Ewing Powers and Willene Neely. The average daily attendance last year was 62. For the first two months this year it was 68.
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