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History of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Journey back in time to Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Explore Knoxville, Tennessee, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Knoxville Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Actress-singer Polly Bergen, from Knoxville, is the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.
Knoxville was home to the 1982 World's Fair. Attendance was recorded at 11,127,786 visitors.
50states.com
Explore even more about Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Keep reading!
Knoxville Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Postcard
Gay Street North from Clinch Street, Knoxville, Tenn.
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Postcard
Church Street, M.E. Church, Knoxville, Tenn.
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Postcard
Brookside Cotton Mills, Knoxville, Tenn.
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to KNOXVILLE
Discover Knoxville: History, News, Travel, and Stories
1854 - Knoxville
Knoxville, a flourishing city, capital of Knox county, Tennessee, and formerly the seat of the state government, is beautifully situated on the right bank of the Holston river, 4 miles below its confluence with the French Broad river, 185 miles E. from Nashville, and 204 miles S. E. from Lexington, in Kentucky. The situation is elevated and healthy, commanding a beautiful view of the river, and of the Blue mountains of Chilhowee. some 80 miles distant. The river is navigable for steamboats at all seasons from this point downward ; and during winter and spring they extend their trips up the river as far as Kingsport. The region, however, in future will not be dependent on the river for the means of transportation. The East Tennessee and Georgia railroad, which extends from Knoxville to Dalton in Georgia, connecting with the extensive railways in that state, was opened in 1862, and has given a new impetus to every department of business. Another railroad has been commenced, which will... Read MORE...
Knoxville, a flourishing city, capital of Knox county, Tennessee, and formerly the seat of the state government, is beautifully situated on the right bank of the Holston river, 4 miles below its confluence with the French Broad river, 185 miles E. from Nashville, and 204 miles S. E. from Lexington, in Kentucky. The situation is elevated and healthy, commanding a beautiful view of the river, and of the Blue mountains of Chilhowee. some 80 miles distant. The river is navigable for steamboats at all seasons from this point downward ; and during winter and spring they extend their trips up the river as far as Kingsport. The region, however, in future will not be dependent on the river for the means of transportation. The East Tennessee and Georgia railroad, which extends from Knoxville to Dalton in Georgia, connecting with the extensive railways in that state, was opened in 1862, and has given a new impetus to every department of business. Another railroad has been commenced, which will... Read MORE...
1861 - May 7 - Riot occurs between prosecessionist & Union supporters in Knoxville TN
historyorb.com
historyorb.com
1872 - Earthquake
The vicinity of Knoxville, Tenn., was visited a few mornings ago by a very heavy earthquake shock. Buildings were caused to creak and strain, and much alarm was created. It was accompanied by a heavy sound resembling thunder.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 9, 1872
The vicinity of Knoxville, Tenn., was visited a few mornings ago by a very heavy earthquake shock. Buildings were caused to creak and strain, and much alarm was created. It was accompanied by a heavy sound resembling thunder.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 9, 1872
1872 - Railroad Accident in Tennessee
Knoxville, Tenn., July 4. - The eastern-bound passenger train due at Knoxville at noon to-day, met with an accident fifteen miles from this city. The engine ran over a cow, throwing it from the track, and wrecking two baggage and mail cars. The passenger-cars remained on the track. None of the passengers were injured except one negro who was standing in the platform of the forward car, and had both feet crushed. Charles Harvey, the engineer, had a leg and should broken, and was otherwise dangerously injured. The western-bound train was detained [illegible] the scene of the wreck until 8 o'clock P. M., when the wreck was cleared away and trains proceeded.
The New York Times
New York, New York
July 5, 1872
Knoxville, Tenn., July 4. - The eastern-bound passenger train due at Knoxville at noon to-day, met with an accident fifteen miles from this city. The engine ran over a cow, throwing it from the track, and wrecking two baggage and mail cars. The passenger-cars remained on the track. None of the passengers were injured except one negro who was standing in the platform of the forward car, and had both feet crushed. Charles Harvey, the engineer, had a leg and should broken, and was otherwise dangerously injured. The western-bound train was detained [illegible] the scene of the wreck until 8 o'clock P. M., when the wreck was cleared away and trains proceeded.
The New York Times
New York, New York
July 5, 1872
1886 - December 5 - A big snowstorm in the southeastern U.S. produced 22.5 inches at Knoxville TN.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1895 - Knoxville
Knoxville, a city, the capital of Knox co., Tenn., is beautifully situated on the right or N.W. bank of the Holston River, about 180 miles E. of Nashville, and 200 miles by water above Chattanooga. By railroad it is 112 miles N.E. of Chattanooga. It is on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad, and is a terminus of the Knoxville & Charleston Railroad, which connects here with the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad. It is built on a hilly or uneven site, and is surrounded by picturesque scenery. It is the seat of the University of Tennessee, which was organized in 1869 and has 17 instructors and about 250 students. Connected with the university is the Tennessee Agricultural College. Here is an institution for the deaf and dumb, founded by the state, an asylum for the insane, also a public building erected by the United States for a custom-house and post-office. This is built of a beautiful gray marble quarried in the vicinity, and cost about $400,000. Two bridges cross the river here.... Read MORE...
Knoxville, a city, the capital of Knox co., Tenn., is beautifully situated on the right or N.W. bank of the Holston River, about 180 miles E. of Nashville, and 200 miles by water above Chattanooga. By railroad it is 112 miles N.E. of Chattanooga. It is on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad, and is a terminus of the Knoxville & Charleston Railroad, which connects here with the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad. It is built on a hilly or uneven site, and is surrounded by picturesque scenery. It is the seat of the University of Tennessee, which was organized in 1869 and has 17 instructors and about 250 students. Connected with the university is the Tennessee Agricultural College. Here is an institution for the deaf and dumb, founded by the state, an asylum for the insane, also a public building erected by the United States for a custom-house and post-office. This is built of a beautiful gray marble quarried in the vicinity, and cost about $400,000. Two bridges cross the river here.... Read MORE...
1897 - Fire
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 8. – Never in the history of Knoxville has the city suffered such a loss by fire as it did today. The very heart of the city, including some of the largest wholesale and retail business houses in the South, were destroyed. The loss is variously estimated at from one to one-and-a-half million with about 60 percent of insurance. The loss of life is uncertain as the registers of the Hotel Knox in which fifty-six people were sleeping was burned, the proprietor of the hotel says that he had five or six guests who have not put in an appearance. A.E. WEEKS, of Locke, N.Y., drummer for a Rochester stamping company, is known to have perished in the flames. R.W. HOPKINS, a St. Louis drummer, was last seen in the burning building in a suffocating condition. W.H. KEPHART, ex-secretary of the chamber of commerce, saved the life of JOHN BOGLE, an old farmer, by dragging him to the roof of another building. KEPHART jumped one story and was injured.
When the firemen thought ... Read MORE...
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 8. – Never in the history of Knoxville has the city suffered such a loss by fire as it did today. The very heart of the city, including some of the largest wholesale and retail business houses in the South, were destroyed. The loss is variously estimated at from one to one-and-a-half million with about 60 percent of insurance. The loss of life is uncertain as the registers of the Hotel Knox in which fifty-six people were sleeping was burned, the proprietor of the hotel says that he had five or six guests who have not put in an appearance. A.E. WEEKS, of Locke, N.Y., drummer for a Rochester stamping company, is known to have perished in the flames. R.W. HOPKINS, a St. Louis drummer, was last seen in the burning building in a suffocating condition. W.H. KEPHART, ex-secretary of the chamber of commerce, saved the life of JOHN BOGLE, an old farmer, by dragging him to the roof of another building. KEPHART jumped one story and was injured.
When the firemen thought ... Read MORE...
1900 - Knoxville - The Metropolis of Eastern Tennessee by Joshua W. Caldwell
The beginnings of Knoxville were Scotch-Irish. Its founder was James White, a Scotch-Irishman from North Carolina. Its first place of worship was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian Church, wherein the faith of the Covenant was preached without mitigation, to the edification and uplifting of the community. The dominant element of its population until after the Civil War was Presbyterian, and it is still strong.
The first effort of the white men to possess themselves of any part of Tennessee was in 1756, when old Fort Loudon was erected about thirty miles west of where Knoxville now stands. Fort Loudon did not long resist the Cherokees. Its short story is one of the most romantic and one of the most tragic in the early history of the Southwest.
Twelve years later, the first permanent settlement in Tennessee was made upon the waters of the Watauga in the northeast corner of the State. This little community became, soon afterwards, the Watauga Association, a practically independent... Read MORE...
The beginnings of Knoxville were Scotch-Irish. Its founder was James White, a Scotch-Irishman from North Carolina. Its first place of worship was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian Church, wherein the faith of the Covenant was preached without mitigation, to the edification and uplifting of the community. The dominant element of its population until after the Civil War was Presbyterian, and it is still strong.
The first effort of the white men to possess themselves of any part of Tennessee was in 1756, when old Fort Loudon was erected about thirty miles west of where Knoxville now stands. Fort Loudon did not long resist the Cherokees. Its short story is one of the most romantic and one of the most tragic in the early history of the Southwest.
Twelve years later, the first permanent settlement in Tennessee was made upon the waters of the Watauga in the northeast corner of the State. This little community became, soon afterwards, the Watauga Association, a practically independent... Read MORE...
1904 - KNOXVILLE LIBRARY BURNED. CITY'S SECOND BIG BLAZE IN THREE DAYS - FIRE DEPARTMENT CRIPPLED.
Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 14. - The Lawson McGhee Library, a three-story brick structure, at Gay Street and Vine Avenue, was destroyed by fire this afternoon. It was the city's second big fire in three days. On the ground floor of the building was a double store occupied by the VANCE Furniture Company. The second floor was devoted to the public library, containing about 15,000 volumes, and the offices of the Commercial Club. On the third floor was the Knoxville Business College.
The fire originated in the basement from the furnace and rapidly spread throughout the structure. Firemen saved the surrounding property only after a hard fight. The building was valued at $20,000 and was given to the public in 1885 by COL. CHARLES M. McGHEE of this city as a memorial to his daughter, MARY LAWSON McGHEE, who died that year.
Capt. JOSEPH FRAZIER of Engine Company No. 1 and Capt. JAMES JONES of Engine Company No. 2 were overcome by smoke.
VERNON MILLER, a volunteer, was crippled for life... Read MORE...
Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 14. - The Lawson McGhee Library, a three-story brick structure, at Gay Street and Vine Avenue, was destroyed by fire this afternoon. It was the city's second big fire in three days. On the ground floor of the building was a double store occupied by the VANCE Furniture Company. The second floor was devoted to the public library, containing about 15,000 volumes, and the offices of the Commercial Club. On the third floor was the Knoxville Business College.
The fire originated in the basement from the furnace and rapidly spread throughout the structure. Firemen saved the surrounding property only after a hard fight. The building was valued at $20,000 and was given to the public in 1885 by COL. CHARLES M. McGHEE of this city as a memorial to his daughter, MARY LAWSON McGHEE, who died that year.
Capt. JOSEPH FRAZIER of Engine Company No. 1 and Capt. JAMES JONES of Engine Company No. 2 were overcome by smoke.
VERNON MILLER, a volunteer, was crippled for life... Read MORE...
1916
Knoxville, a city, the capital of Knox co., Tenn., is on the right or NW. bank of the Holston River, about 180 miles E. of Nashville and 200 miles by water above Chattanooga. It is on the Southern, the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern and other railroads. It is built on a hilly or uneven site and is surrounded by picturesque scenery. It is the seat of the University of Tennessee, which was reorganised in 1869, of the affiliated state agricultural college, and of the Knoxville College for colored students. Here are an institution for the deaf and dumb, founded by the state, an asylum for the insane, a custom-house, etc. Knoxville has an extensive trade in agricultural produce and a large marble-industry, iron-foundries, cotton-, woollen-, flouring-, and rolling-mills, and manufactures of car-wheels, cars, furniture, saddlery and harness, and sash and blinds. The city is located in the heart of a very productive coal and iron region. Steamboats ascend the river to this point. Knoxville... Read MORE...
Knoxville, a city, the capital of Knox co., Tenn., is on the right or NW. bank of the Holston River, about 180 miles E. of Nashville and 200 miles by water above Chattanooga. It is on the Southern, the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern and other railroads. It is built on a hilly or uneven site and is surrounded by picturesque scenery. It is the seat of the University of Tennessee, which was reorganised in 1869, of the affiliated state agricultural college, and of the Knoxville College for colored students. Here are an institution for the deaf and dumb, founded by the state, an asylum for the insane, a custom-house, etc. Knoxville has an extensive trade in agricultural produce and a large marble-industry, iron-foundries, cotton-, woollen-, flouring-, and rolling-mills, and manufactures of car-wheels, cars, furniture, saddlery and harness, and sash and blinds. The city is located in the heart of a very productive coal and iron region. Steamboats ascend the river to this point. Knoxville... Read MORE...
1982 - World's fair held in Knoxville
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ tntimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ tntimeln.htm
Here's a diverse list of places to go and things to do in Knoxville:
1. Market Square: This bustling square in the heart of downtown Knoxville is a hub for restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It's a great place to grab a meal, enjoy live music, or just people-watch.
2. Sunsphere: Visit the iconic Sunsphere in World's Fair Park. You can take the elevator to the observation deck for panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas.
3. Knoxville Museum of Art: Explore a wide range of visual arts at this museum, which features both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions. The sculpture garden is a lovely place for a leisurely stroll.
4. Old City: Known for its nightlife and eclectic atmosphere, the Old City is home to a variety of bars, restaurants, and live music venues. It's a great place for a night out.
5. Ijams Nature Center: If you're a nature lover, you'll adore Ijams Nature Center. It offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as paddleboarding, canoeing, and birdwatching in the beautiful Mead's Quarry Lake.
6.... Read MORE...
1. Market Square: This bustling square in the heart of downtown Knoxville is a hub for restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It's a great place to grab a meal, enjoy live music, or just people-watch.
2. Sunsphere: Visit the iconic Sunsphere in World's Fair Park. You can take the elevator to the observation deck for panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas.
3. Knoxville Museum of Art: Explore a wide range of visual arts at this museum, which features both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions. The sculpture garden is a lovely place for a leisurely stroll.
4. Old City: Known for its nightlife and eclectic atmosphere, the Old City is home to a variety of bars, restaurants, and live music venues. It's a great place for a night out.
5. Ijams Nature Center: If you're a nature lover, you'll adore Ijams Nature Center. It offers miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as paddleboarding, canoeing, and birdwatching in the beautiful Mead's Quarry Lake.
6.... Read MORE...
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