Jasper Highlands Selling Out So Thunder Thornton Starts Development Of Yet, Thorntons alma mater is Tennessee Wesleyan College, which named him its most distinguished alumnus in 1994. Andy Holt was born in 1904 in West Tennessee and came from a family of educators. There are probably thousands of stories the citizens of Pascagoula could tell you where Thunder stepped up to the plate and paid for things he didnt have to, but did it out of the kindness of his heart.. People just like to enjoy the outdoor environment up there.". The new development is just west of the 2,600-acre Black Creek Mountain development atop the Raccoon Mountain ridge west of downtown Chattanooga. Thorntons prolific entrepreneurial leadership earned him induction into UT Chattanoogas Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame. The reason he often is assumed to be a UT alumnus may be associated with his unprecedented $1 million gift in 1995 to fund the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center on the Knoxville campus. The finest fly-fishing water in the nation runs through his ranch. "Like at Jasper Highlands, we want to offer seclusion without isolation," Bradshaw said in a phone interview. He has been captain . Last year, the governor came in at No. Despite his intimidating size and sometimes gruff demeanor, however, Thornton is remembered for being of generous spirit, always willing to help. John "Thunder" Thornton sits in his pickup truck, high on a Wyoming summit, and looks out over the shimmering scenery. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Ultimately, the development is expected to top $750 million in investment, with most homes ranging from $400,000 to $2 million in value. He continued to operate the guesthouse and created a low-density development. After developing Jasper Mountain into one of the South's biggest mountaintop residential developments over the past decade, John "Thunder" Thornton is planning a similar development just 9 miles to the southwest atop Aetna Mountain. ", "It was a combination," she recalls. Most of the tenants were much younger, and she felt as if there was nothing for her to do. In this part of the country, where old cowboy traditions mix with toney tourists, if you own the scenery, you rule.When history gets around to sorting through what Thornton has accomplished in the past 10 months in this land of mighty mountain tops and broad vistas, it might go something like this: A 43-year-old east Tennessean who grew up in Maryville and made a fortune in textiles in Chattanooga and in north Georgia, purchased 1,300 acres in Jackson Hole, Wyo. "People have a preconceived notion of what a retirement community is going to be. Last year, Thornton purchased 7,400 acres atop Aetna Mountain, near Haletown, to develop similarly to his Jasper Highlands, just a few miles away. Mar. Life Trustees - UTC Magazine The success of Jasper Highlands gives the developers, as well as the homebuilders who will build homes on the sites, more confidence for the future. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Dane Bradshaw, President of Thunder Enterprises discusses the project. He has sold 16 of the 23 tracts that will be developed. 1 shares; Written by Richard Lucas. She majored in theater from 1979 to 1984 before leaving prior to graduation to pursue acting full time, but she remains committed to giving back to the University. Bradshaw to 'captain' Thunder Enterprises | News | thedailytimes.com If that's the Home of the Mr. Thornton listed he done quite well himself. Tennessee Developer - John 'Thunder' Thornton | TNLand "That's why I think Jasper Highlands was so successful, and we hope Aetna Mountain will be as well.". She described her journey to success as years of hard work, including odd jobswaitress, receptionist, driver for a tofu sandwich truck, products sales clerk in grocery stores, custodian, and performing as Barney the dinosaur and Shrek the giant at childrens parties. Similar to Jasper Highlands, most of the homebuyers are expected to be retirees or near-retirees, although the development is not age restricted. We love and take care of each other here.". Is Sermon Topic At Middle Valley Church Of God On Sunday, Holston United Methodists Finalize Departure Of 264 Congregations, Including Several Locally. Jordan played newspaper editor Mr. Blackly in the 2011 movie The Help and most recently appeared in American Horror Story: Roanoke after having previously appeared in American Horror Story: Coven. As Chief Executive Officer John "Thunder" Thornton, a Blount County native, put it, Bradshaw is the company's "captain.". Thunder Thornton Wants To Develop His 10-Acre Homesite At Riverview And yet upon inspection, they do not have a diploma from the University of Tennessee. He often returns to his hometown of Chattanooga and recently served as master of ceremonies for Chattanooga Cares, which raises money for HIV education, prevention and support. After a slow start, Jasper Highlands has nearly sold out in recent years, with nearly $180 million of property sales on Jasper Mountain on the Cumberland Plateau just above Kimball. Sasser then served as U.S. ambassador to China from 1996 to 1999 under President Bill Clinton. Unlike Jasper Highlands, River Gorge Ranch will include sidewalks and bike paths through most of the developed areas. "We've continued to see record-breaking sales in 2021 as we did last year," Bradshaw said. Knoxville, TN 37902 The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Photography by Olivia Ross / John "Thunder" Thornton and Dane Bradshaw tour the River Gorge property. Thornton and Guerry join three other previously named UC Foundation life trustees: Max Bahner, Joseph Decosimo and John Guerry, who is Zan's uncle. Jasper Highlands adds bigger, secluded lots as mountaintop community A graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan, Mr. Thornton was president of American Rug Craftsmen, Inc., and he has been involved in numerous land development ventures in Wyoming and Tennessee. In 2009 W. Allan Jones Jr. of Cleveland, Tennesseefor whom the Allan Jones Aquatic Center is namedpurchased the Crescent H Ranch. About 200 of the 1,300 lots are now occupied with residents in homes, and more than 100 other houses in Jasper Highlands are under construction. His parents were Walter M. and Doris Pepe Thornton. Grand Teton Cash Machine - Forbes Thornton said he has been talking for the past three years with the previous owners of most of the property as he prepares to launch the ambitious venture on what Thornton called one of the most unique sites in the nation. John "Thunder" Thornton has recently purchased 7,400 acres atop Aetna Mountain, near Haletown, to develop. John Thornton, the owner of Thunder Enterprises, said he expects Aetna Mountain to double the amount of the investment in Jasper Highlands, a similar mountaintop gated community that. Census data predicts that by 2030, in a historical first, the United States will have more people over the age of 65 than children under 18. Thornton would also bring in national acts. They were subsequently sued by Comcast because Comcast is a monopoly and not unlike this guy. Knoxville, TN 37996 Then shortly before Sasser left China, NATO troops mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, sparking violent protests in Beijing. And if I wanted to sell them, I could. John Thunder Thornton is on Facebook. Many operate and feel more like a resort rather than senior living -- designed with an all-inclusive price tag that simplifies daily chores like cooking, cleaning and transportation, and offer community support and activities. Thornton says he will sell a few more and put two or three aside for himself. Andy Holt Our Tennessee "Jasper Highlands has been a tremendous project, but this could easily be double that investment," Thornton said in a recent interview about his latest project. PHOTO COURTESY KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL Similar to Jasper Highlands, Thunder Enterprises will have to build a road up to the top of Aetna Mountain. "I thought 'This can be home.'". But Thornton said Aetna Mountain will offer the open spaces of a ranch with views of the Tennessee River gorge and other mountains all around it. His brown eyes almost gleam. "Everything was so light and airy and fresh and new," she remembers. 865-974-5179 Thornton, John - Volopedia Developers John Thunder Thornton (left) and Mike Ross. "Peace: How Do We Keep It?" After four years of military service, during which he discovered a love of literature, he re-enrolled at UT, majoring in English from 1957 to 1960. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, McCarthy moved with his family to Knoxville when he was 4. He believes this woman was attempting to break into his home. At TEA, Holt successfully campaigned for greater support for education, enlisting teachers and developing effective relationships with the governor and commissioner of education. "We loved it.". John 'Thunder' Thornton, Developer "From a trend standpoint, it used to be that you always had to have golf courses and build around the course," says Bradshaw. Jim Sasser Stay persistent.. Together, the two communities are projected to bring more than $2 billion of housing investment in the biggest new residential development ever in Southeast Tennessee. Related Thornton Center and Haslam College of Business Join Forces for Big Orange Combine Nov 2 / Thornton Center Hes always had a soft heart, Maxwell said. What they did know was that people were stuck in front of their computers, with plenty of time to dream about retiring. As senator, Sasser served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee from1989 until he relinquished his seat to Frist. Although Florida regained its title in 2022 as the top destination for retirees, the Chattanooga area continues to draw more residents to senior living communities, ranging from gated, mountaintop developments like Jasper Highlands or a growing number of independent and assisted-living senior housing complexes. Thornton previously had won a judgment against the businesses, but sought a personal judgment against the Maryville developer, as well. Holt was renowned as a prolific charismatic public speaker, creating in commencement ceremonies the Holt pledge for new graduates to Brag on my alma mater at every opportunity as immodestly as a grandfather brags on his grandson.. Thornton is sitting on the mother lode. Under Holt, enrollment tripled; faculty and staff doubled; eight new buildings were added to the Knoxville campus; funding increased 400 percent; the Martin campus added graduate programs; the Space Institute was established in Tullahoma; the formerly private University of Chattanooga became part of the new UT System; and a distinguished science program was initiated in cooperation with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Rest in peace., RIP Thunder, you were there for many of us through the decades.. https://volopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/john-thornton/, Pendergrass Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Library, Torch Night: Symbolically Passing the Torch, Open Library of Humanities Partnership Supports Open Sharing of Research, Maggie Longmire sings original ballads of Tennessee coal country, The Monica Abbott Story: Softball legend to sign books, April 21 & 23, Cartoonist Charlie Daniel inducted into East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, Middle School and High School Students Will Display Their Data Artistry, Henry Luce Foundation Grant to Fund Programs Highlighting Beauford Delaney Papers. Many are still working -- some remotely, and some still going to offices. The new development is just west of the 2,600-acre Black Creek Mountain development atop the Raccoon Mountain ridge west of downtown Chattanooga. In late June, Thornton completed a court-ordered transaction in bankruptcy proceedings after 10 months of legal and personal negotiations. But both of the mountaintop developments, along with the new Cameron Harbor project taking shape at the site of the former Rarity Club on Nickajack Lake, are drawing local workers and relocating seniors. As was posted on his Facebook page before Chattanooga Cares, I am a gay man who buried an entire phone directory to AIDS. Telling Thunder Bill Kilbride, head of the foundation's nominating committee, was the person selected to inform Thornton and Guerry they were being recognized for their philanthropic work and . Thunder Enterprises, a Chattanooga-based investment and real estate development firm, builds homes and communities in Tennessee, Wyoming, Montana, North Carolina and . I wanted nothing more than to pursue my dream of acting, which I learned here at the University of Tennessee, she told the December 2015 graduating class at commencement where she received an honorary masters degree in fine arts. The following information is provided for citations. "People just wanted to have their own space and start planning retirement and getting out of big cities.". Copyright 2023, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. 12When John "Thunder" Thornton bought Jasper Mountain in 2008 to develop one of Tennessee's biggest mountaintop communities, the Chattanooga developer initially encountered some skepticism. Like many of the luxury senior apartments, Red Stone offers a variety of amenities -- restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, transportation and roll-in shower options wide enough for wheelchair use. He began his business career selling knockoffs of oriental carpets. His first novel, The Orchard Keeper, published in 1965, won the William Faulkner Award. While Jasper Highlands and River Gorge are two high-end options for retirees (the communities aren't age-restricted, but tend to be ages 55 and up), several luxury independent living communities for seniors have been built in the Chattanooga region within the last five to 10 years. Thunder's Liquor - a Legend Continues | Our Mississippi Home * Knowing the right questions to ask can save time and money when choosing a financial planner. The Top of the Rock restaurant built at the entrance of Jasper Highlands "has been a huge success," Thornton said, and he hopes to have similar amenities atop Aetna Mountain. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / This view of Nickajack, along a TVA transmission line, is an example of the views that will be crated when Aetna Mountain is developed by Thornton Enterprises. Thornton said when he approached AT&T about providing Gig service to Jasper Highlands he was quoted a price of $1.3 million to serve his mountaintop development more than three times what it ended up costing Thornton to build his own network connected to Alabama. Links: www.thunderenterprises.com 15,508 views 7.5 ( 17 votes) Categories Buildings > Homes - Celebrity - Business Comments Policies Please log in if you don't want to post anonymously (anonymous users cannot post links). With most of the 1,300 mountaintop lots now developed and sold as Jasper Highlands - and the Top of the Rock restaurant on Jasper Mountain also enjoying success - the nearly 100 employees at Thunder Enterprises have their sights on a new mountain community. In 1992, Thornton founded and began serving as chairman of Thunder Air, a developer of high-end homes and master-planned communities. He happens to care about what happens in the future and lives by a favorite saying that he likes to quote. Everybody's come from somewhere else. Each is 35 to 50 acres. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Every place his eye falls he owns. "Neighbors come by to say hello, or go to dinner," she says. Jezek moved to Chattanooga from Oklahoma after losing her husband of 66 years. "Dane has been a leader his entire life. Join Facebook to connect with John Thunder Thornton and others you may know. Residents say James - Chattanooga Times Free Press | Facebook John C. Thornton has been chief executive officer of Thunder Enterprises since he founded the company in 1991the first of many successful business ventures he established. ", "With the COVID lockdown, there was already an appreciation for rural, spacious living -- but that appreciation went through the roof," says Bradshaw. At 4 feet 11 inches, Leslie Jordan stands tall for comedy. It is my ministry.. The Marion County Planning Commission recently approved rezoning for 390 residential lots in the first phase of the new River Gorge Ranch. For Julie and Dave Harp, it was the sweeping views of the Tennessee River that sealed the deal. John 'Thunder' Thornton wins $15.4M judgment against Mike Ross, Tennessee suspends sales tax on groceries for 3 months, UPDATE: Volkswagen Chattanooga employees, and driver identified, Woman abducted in Chattanooga and beaten for four days, Georgia medical marijuana stores open, ending long struggle, High school senior graduating two years early offered admission at more than 170 colleges and more than $9 million in scholarships, New details on two Hixson Elementary employees under investigation, One killed, two injured when vehicle hits pedestrians near Volkswagen plant, Chattanooga police make arrests in Saturday shooting/pursuit at Hamilton Place Mall, Coalmont Elementary closing at end of school year, Great week for restaurants in the Tennessee Valley, no restaurants fail inspections, Opening weekend for the Chattanooga Market, Chattanooga Radio Control Club hosts free flying event, East Ridge City Library Celebrates 50 years. Before Everlan, Jezek lived in an apartment on Chattanooga's Northshore, but the situation wasn't quite right, she recalls. Every day, more than 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old, helping to swell the number of seniors in America to new record highs. Studying here gave me my life, Dickey told the new graduates in Knoxville, so anything I can do to inspire and keep peoples dreams goingthats what I want to do.. And the myriad activities and new friends at Everlan have helped provide a new sense of connection. , , . . airtight logic of a madman living inside of a Terry Gilliam film. 1015 Volunteer Boulevard Age at Arrest: 25 years old The wealthy elite are buying up what is left of Jackson Hole, driving land prices up astronomically. All Rights Reserved, Tennessean buys chunk of Wyoming, aims to give it away. For some, the university provided a brief stop during their educational journeys. Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340. Just above the former Hale's Bar Dam in Guild, Tennessee, Thunder Enterprises acquired 6,259 acres of a former coal mine and timber property in September and will soon close on the purchase of another roughly 1,100 acres from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Since the onset of the pandemic, we saw a dramatic increase in sales because people are looking for a different type of lifestyle. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). He is a Pascagoula High School graduate and holds a Bachelor of Business . State Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, chief sponsor of the bill to allow municipal broadband service across Tennessee, blamed pressure by AT&T's 27 paid lobbyists in Nashville for killing her proposals. And it wasnt just individuals Thornton helped. But the thing she likes best is the sense of community. Prices range from $3 million to $6 million. Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Thunder Enterprises, which acquired nearly 7,400 acres of Aetna Mountain, Map of River Gorge Ranch on Aetna Mountain, bring nearly $700 million of new investment into Marion County. Thunder Thornton, Thunder Enterprises: Profile and Biography - Bloomberg Markets Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and. Some names remain so tied to the University of Tennessee that the natural assumption is that they are alumni. John Thornton - Wikipedia "The aging of baby boomers means that within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history," says Jonathan Vespa, a demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. Within the gated community, swimming pools, tennis or pickleball courts and sidewalks, among other amenities, should help create a sense of community, even with home lots more spread out compared with most residential developments. That was the premier place to play in the 80s and 90s, for sure, Blackman said. ", Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. An extremely popular dance and night club the Tavern had to be closed upon Mr. Thornton's death in 2019. We must remain vigilant. I played there myself from the late 90s until about the mid-2000s.. The East Tennessee site of Thornton's latest development is nearly 2,000 miles from the Crescent H ranch at the Grand Teton mountains in Wyoming that Thornton developed 25 years ago. One man in Tennessee isn't waiting for his corrupted I remember catching something on TV a couple years back highlighting John "Thunder" Thornton's massive 25,000 SF home. "I can't take credit for this, but someone once said that when you acquire land you are buying its past and are responsible for its future. "With such a great inventory of lots, we think we can offer a great value for homebuyers, especially those who buy into the development early on," Bradshaw said. At the gated entrance to the community, a commercial village is planned with a restaurant, rental cabins, health spa and store to serve both residents and visitors at River Gorge Ranch. The location is about 10 minutes closer to Chattanooga than Jasper Highlands. All rights reserved. You have permission to edit this article. A high-profile Chattanooga developer has won a multi-million-dollar judgment against Rarity Communities developer Mike Ross, but whether he collects it is another question. Mr. John "Thunder" Thornton began his working life at Salem Carpets and Beaulieu of America and quickly launched a very successful career. The federal government owns 97 percent of the land in and around Jackson Hole. "There's about 200 acres of land represented in seven tracts that have already been mapped out," he says. Put all that together and that's what drove us here.". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Our community's wide-open spaces, scenic views and amenities align with what's important to them.". He left an indelible mark as a legendary University of Tennessee president who transformed the university by turning it into a statewide system of higher education. UT's big boosters need to loosen control like Alabama did and hire Read Later Add to Favourites Report. At the time they began building, there were fewer than 40 homes atop Jasper Mountain. Thornton continued his development business from Thunder Enterprises headquarters in Chattanooga. John C. Thornton's House in Chattanooga, TN (Bing Maps) That work resulted in a teacher retirement plan and a statewide sales tax to help finance public education. But the sense of community has helped relieve some of that. All rights reserved. It was at that show that the Harps picked up promotional material on Jasper Highlands. In his earlier years, he had served as the minister of music at his church, which always brought him joy. Thunder Enterprises, a Chattanooga-based investment and real estate development firm, builds homes and communities in Tennessee, Wyoming, Montana, North Carolina and Hawaii. A bankruptcy trustee was to sell it to satisfy $30 million in claims. A wonderful friend and a big part of my life., Thunder gave me my first job. He lived for his business.. All of this leads us back to land developer John Thunder Thornton: Unable to gain high-speed broadband at what he deemed an affordable price from AT&T or Charter Communications and limited from service extensions from EPB's ultra-fast Internet in Chattanooga, Thornton created his own Internet service provider last year. Bob Tamasy: What Does A Life Worth Living Require? Lot sales for River Gorge Ranch began in May 2022.
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