Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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 extend from Knoxville to the Virginia line. When these two roads shall have been completed, East Tennessee will be intersected by a chain of railways extending from Boston to Memphis, forming the great tho roughfare of the Union, and traversing a country remarkable for the fertility of its soil and the salubrity of its climate. This will be the most central and direct line from New York to New Orleans. Knoxville, from its midway position, may be expected to derive much benefit from the immense amount of trade and travel which must pass along this route. The completion of the railroad from Dalton to Knoxville appears to have produced a great sensation among the inhabitants of East Tennessee, a region hereto fore almost isolated from the busy world. In the poetical language of a gentleman residing in that region, to whom the editors are indebted for much valuable information, "the neigh of the iron horse mingles with the roar of her innumerable waterfalls, and awakens the echoes of her vast and silent forests." The city already exhibits an aspect of increased prosperity, and manufactures of various kinds are springing up in its vicinity. The manufactory of window- glass at this place is said to be the largest in the Southern States. Knoxville contains the state asylum for the deaf and dumb, and is the seat of the university of East Tennessee, founded in 1807. It has 5 churches, 8 banks, several academies, and printing offices issuing 6 or 7 newspapers. It was laid out in 1794, in which year it became the capital of the state, and so continued until 1817. Population in 1850, 3090; in 1853, about 5000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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