The charming street names throughout Broadacres subdivision tell the story of its origins. Residents navigate roads named after English counties and towns—Keswick, Staffordshire, Whitcomb, Berkshire, and Camberley—all chosen by developer Bill Dawn simply because he found their sound appealing.

This Powell neighborhood represents a significant milestone in Knox County's suburban expansion, establishing itself as one of the first major residential developments north of Beaver Ridge. The community has maintained its reputation as a premier destination for homebuyers and continues to anchor the growth that transformed the Clinton Highway area of Powell from rural farmland into a thriving residential corridor.

The vision for Broadacres emerged from a partnership between Bill Dawn, who had previously created the Sevenoaks development on Kingston Pike, and local entrepreneurs Rufus H. Smith Jr. and the Weigel brothers, William and Lynn. The Weigels brought unique credentials to the project as owners of both the existing Broadacres Dairy Farm and the popular Weigel's Jug O'Milk store chain.

Their ambitious plan converted 700 acres of working farmland into a residential community featuring substantial lots and architecturally diverse homes. The neighborhood showcased the era's popular housing styles, from sleek mid-century modern ranch homes to multi-level designs that defined suburban living in the 1960s.

The community quickly gained attention, earning selection as the showcase neighborhood for the Home Builders Association of Knoxville's Parade of Homes, where visitors could tour nearly 30 completed residences.

Before its transformation into a subdivision, the land served the community as Broadacres Dairy, operated by W.W. Weigel & Sons. The working dairy featured state-of-the-art facilities for its time, including an impressive 200-foot barn that accommodated dozens of cattle and massive hay storage. The operation prided itself on modern pasteurization methods and maintained an open-door policy for curious visitors. The business later expanded beyond milk production to include cottage cheese and ice cream manufacturing.

Rather than completely abandoning their agricultural roots, the Weigel family chose to preserve a portion of the original farm operation. The subdivision's thoughtful design incorporates the remaining dairy facilities, and the distinctive 1930s-era barn continues to serve its original purpose, creating a unique blend of residential development and working farm that defines the neighborhood's character.