Knoxville Backdrop for Rude Awakening

Rude Awakening

Knoxville

Rising up in the westward shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains and situated at the head of the Tennessee River, lies Knoxville, the third largest city in Tennessee.  Its proximity to the rolling hills and mountain peaks of the Smokies, its abundance of lakes and rivers, and its mild climate make it an ideal venue for those seeking outdoor beauty and adventure. Rich in Appalachian culture and historical legends, locals are proud of their heritage.

Driven by a strong economy, infused with the vitality of a “college town,” Knoxville offers a colorful tapestry of opportunities and entertainment. While offering the amenities of the “big” cities, most natives will tell you Knoxville still possesses a certain “small town charm.” Lifelong resident, Joyce Whedbee, says, “Knoxville offers the best of both worlds, and most people are genuinely friendly.”

First settled in 1786, Knoxville abounds in history.  It was the first capital of Tennessee, and was reported to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. Although the city struggled with geographic isolation, the arrival of the railroad in 1855 helped precipitate an economic boom.  Bitterly divided during the Civil War, Knoxville was occupied by both Union and Confederate armies during the war vying for control of the railroads and waterways. Numerous forts were erected during the war including Fort Dickerson, and Fort Loudon. Probably the most famous was Fort Sanders, named after Union General William P. Sanders who was killed by a sniper’s bullet as he was surveying the battleground in order to develop a strategic plan. The bullet came from a confederate sniper positioned in the bell tower of the Bleak House, headquarters for Confederate Lt. General James Longstreet, one of General Lee’s most trusted commanders.

On November 29, 1863, Longstreet planned and executed an unsuccessful campaign to break through the lines of Union Major General Ambrose Burnsides to provide reinforcements to the Confederate troops in Chattanooga. Longstreet’s siege was ultimately ended when Union Major General William Sherman marched into East Tennessee bringing reinforcements to Burnsides. The Confederates would not regain control of Knoxville for the rest of the war.

Today, a graceful antebellum house, originally known as, Bleak House, overlooks the Tennessee River, and is home to Confederate Hall, a museum of Civil War memorable artifacts.

Established in 1794 as Blount College, the school went on to become the main campus of the University of Tennessee, recognized as the largest research institute in Tennessee. Offering more than 300 degreed programs to its student census of approximately 28,000, UT is especially respected for its agriculture and engineering programs. UT is also home to the Tennessee Volunteers, and Knoxvillians take their football and their beloved “Vols,” as the locals say, with a religious fervor. On game days you can observe rivers of orange flowing through town as students and residents turn out to support their team. UT’s field of play, Neyland Stadium, is the third largest football stadium in the United States with a seating capacity of 102,455.

Knoxville is also home to the Tennessee Valley Authority.  Established in 1933, the TVA began constructing hydroelectric and other power plants which provided flood control and jobs, and provided the area with electricity, making a major impact on industry in Knoxville that continues today.

About 25 miles west of Knoxville sits Oak Ridge, an area, once shrouded in secrecy, chosen by the United States Federal Government in 1942 to be the research facility for the Manhattan Project. The government felt that the location’s accessibility by highway and rail, and readily available water and electricity resources, along with its situation within a long valley made it an ideal facility for the development of the atomic bomb. During the war, more than 70,000 people were brought in to work on the top-secret project.  Today the facility is under civilian control.  According to Wikipedia, “… the Department of Energy runs a nuclear and high-tech research establishment at the site and performs national security work. Tours of parts of the original facility are available to American citizens from June through September. The tour is so popular that there is a waiting list for seats.”

In 1982, Knoxville opened its doors to the world, drawing  more than 11 million visitors as the host of the 1982 World’s Fair. President Ronald Reagan spoke at the opening of the fair,
which was deemed one of the most successful World’s Fairs in history. Its theme, “Energy Turns the World,” underscored Knoxville’s technological prominence. The Sunsphere, built for the fair, still glitters along the horizon of the city.

Kingston Pike is one of the major arteries cross-secting Knoxville, starting out downtown as Main Street, turning to Cumberland, also known as the “strip” which travels through the heart of the University of Tennessee, and continuing through residential and commercial areas all the way to west Knoxville and on into Kingston, Tennessee. A strong network of highways runs through and around Knoxville, including I-40, I-75, and I-640, making it an easy destination for traveler’s from around the southeast.

The diversity and quality of life the city offers seems to rank highest with most folks. One long-time resident was emphatic when she exclaimed, “Knoxville is just an idyllic place to grow up and live.”