Gerton

GERTON is a community of just under 300 residents along Old US Highway 74 - modern US 74A - in Henderson County.  Gerton was named in 1902 after a spelling error by the US Postal Service embarrassed the community.  Originally known as 'Pump,' the mountain community was named after a nearby water pump that served the area.  

The Post Office incorrectly spelled 'Pump' as 'Rump' when the Postal Service issued a new cancellation stamp.  The residents of the community were embarrassed by the 'crass' name and voted on a new name.  The suggestion was to name the town after a local resident named Gertrude Freeman.  It was decided to use a contracted version of her name and the community and Post Office were renamed.

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