One of the great mysteries in Knoxville history is the location of Tennessee’s first state capitol building. In the early days when Knoxville was the capital of the Southwest Territory …
First Presbyterian celebrates anniversary with bagpipe flair
2022 marks the 230th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church, the oldest worship community in Knoxville and Knox County. That’s impressive, yet 230 years isn’t a milestone commonly seen as a …
Cynthia Gambill Smith: driven by a mother’s instincts
Much has been said and written of the strong-willed and strong-minded women of early East Tennessee. As such was Cynthia Elvira Gambill Smith (1819-1904).
Cynthia was accustomed to a good life. …
James Monroe Smith: patriarch of a house divided
A casual stroll through the Concord Masonic Cemetery will bring many family names to mind with an occasional smile or two. Not so the case with the family of James …
Progress has taken toll on historic Callaway’s Landing
Hundreds of drivers pass daily on their way to and from work or on errands, unaware of the history of a piece of land on both sides of the southern …
Lost Concord: How Fort Loudoun Lake reshaped a historic village
The handsome older buildings on Lake Ridge Drive, in the historic village of Concord, give lie to the idea that everything in West Knoxville is new, new, new. The red-brick …
Grainger native Sam Tate left legacy of integrity
The unique section of Fountain City known as Tatewood is to the left of Broadway just as one begins the ascent of Black Oak Ridge toward the Halls Crossroads community …