Milan, Humboldt celebrate sesquicentennial

February 15, 2016

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Two Gibson County cities celebrate a big milestone Monday, more than 100 years in the making. Milan and Humboldt share a rich history, but it is their shared birthday that has many saying ‘cheers’ to 150 years.

Courtesy: Milan Mirror

For more than a century, the two cities have stood the test of time and like many sisters they have shared plenty of history together. As they celebrate the big ‘150’, the mayors of both cities say their future is just as promising as their past.

“We were born on the same day, isn’t that so awesome?,” Humboldt Mayor Marvin Sikes said. “February the 15th, 1866!”

150 year ago at the end of the Civil War, the two small communities were in the middle of boom.

“We were a growing city, both of us, and we needed to become incorporated and be modern with a modern government,” Mayor Sikes said.

Through a special proclamation by the State of Tennessee, Milan and Humboldt were born.

“As we look around Milan today and see some of the old families that are still here and are still very active, it’s amazing to see,” said Milan Mayor B.W. Beasley.

They are the county’s two largest cities growing with each other sharing business, trade, and culture.

“There was actually housing developed in Humboldt just for the folks that worked at the Milan Arsenal,” Mayor Beasley said. “There are just so many ways we have come together in the past.”

Courtesy: Milan Mirror

That unique bond is what has helped these two communities flourish.

“We look at Humboldt as our sister city,” Mayor Beasley said. “It’s really so rare to find a county in the State of Tennessee that has two towns similar in size, in culture and have the same birth date!”

As Milan and Humboldt celebrate their past and present, it is their future that holds the most excitement.

“We will be here for 150 more years,” Mayor Sikes said. “I wont be here but this city will be and so will Milan.”

Mayor Beasley and Mayor Sikes said both of their cities will celebrate their 150th birthday throughout the year.

The two cities also share the same birthday with the city of Spring Hill in Maury County. All three were included on the same proclamation to the state in 1866.