Wilder is a town located in Fentress County, Tennessee, United States. Wilder reached a population of more than 20,000 as a mining town in the 1920s, but had declined to a population of only 374 in the 2000 census. Fentress County was formed in 1823 and was named in honor of James Fentress, who served as speaker of the state house, chairman of Montgomery County Court. Alvin York a hero at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during World War I. He also established the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown in 1924. Fentress County is known as the Trail Riding Capital of the Southeast to the equestrian community with hundreds of acres of trails, overlooks, unique geological formations, and waterfalls. Attractions in the area include Palace Theater and Cedar Lake Camp. Local businesses include Tays Grocery and Arthur Halls On Time Tree & Landscaping Service. Some schools in the area include Clarkrange Elementary School and Clarkrange High School.