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Time Travel to Jackson, Tenn., TA
Family-run truckstop looks back, forward
Many of the trucks parked at the Jackson TravelCenter near tiny Denmark, Tenn., are crammed with hot new electronics and some of the drivers are packing computers as well as logbooks. But the truckstop is really a door back in time to another era.
Located about 12 miles west of Jackson, Tenn., the truckstop opened its doors some 30 years ago as a Pure Oil truckstop known as Wilhite's. It later became a Union 76 franchise, then National and finally TravelCenters of America. But most everyone still refers to it as Wilhite's, after Bill Wilhite Sr., the late founder. Three generations have run the truckstop — Bill Sr., Bill Jr. and Billy. The extended family also own interests in the nearby truck wash and service station.
From the start, the customer has been the thing in Denmark, and the customer is the trucker, says Barbara Ellington, general manager, who's worked there for 20 years. The two-story main building has been expanded somewhat over the years to accommodate growing traffic. Downstairs are the travel store and Wilhite's family-style restaurant; upstairs are the drivers' lounge, showers and laundry. The two-bay shop is in a connected building .
While traffic is heavy along I-40, this is a deeply rural area and the nearest competition is 20 miles away. That's helped make the place a source of jobs as well as sociability for locals.
The focal point for travelers and locals alike is Wilhite's restaurant. "It seats about 100 to 115 people," Ellington says. "We have a fantastic dinner buffet. In fact, that's one reason we didn't go to the Country Pride menu — people said they didn't want us to change. It's plain old country cooking. A lot of local people eat lunch with us on Sundays. We keep the specials on the same nights so the drivers and our local customers know what we'll be serving and can depend on it being there."
With scales nearby at the 50 mile marker, lots of westbound drivers pull in to check weights; eastbounders come in to fuel after being scaled. On Sundays, services at the Truckers Chapel provide some soul fuel.
Ellington says plans are in the works for a makeover. Additional paved parking is planned across the road. But there aren't any plans to change the family atmosphere and high regard for trucking customers, she adds. That's as much a part of the place as the name everyone calls it by — Wilhite's.
Just the Facts
Where: I-40, Exit 68, Denmark, TN
Phone/Fax: (901) 424-5591/ (901) 424-7160
Parking: 100 spaces w/PNV
Services:
- Pronto Pay pumps
- 6 full-size showers
- 115-seat Wilhite's
Restaurant
- Econolodge motel
- Truck wash
- 2 bay full-service shop
- Drivers' lounge
- ATM
- Phone room
- Video game room
- C-store
- Truckers store
- Certified Scale
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