J. Percy Priest: The Man Behind Middle Tennessee’s Beloved Lake
Stretching 42 miles from Smyrna northwest toward Nashville, J. Percy Priest Lake stands as one of Tennessee’s most popular recreational destinations. This man-made reservoir covers 14,200 acres across Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson counties, serving millions of visitors each year. Yet behind this massive body of water lies the remarkable story of the unlikely politician for whom it was named—a humble newspaperman who defied all odds to serve Tennessee in Congress for sixteen years.
The Unlikely Congressman
James Percy Priest was born April 1, 1900, in Maury County, Tennessee. This slight, balding man was once memorably described by House Doorkeeper William “Fishbait” Miller as “ugly as homemade sin,” but possessed of a remarkably sweet and kindly nature that would endear him to colleagues and constituents throughout his career.
After attending State Teacher’s College in Murfreesboro

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