Tennessee
Online adds new section to
popular Internet site
KNOXVILLE – Tennessee Online is pleased to announce a new
feature segment to the web site called "Tennessee History
Classroom." This section of tennesseehistory.com features
in chronological order - by era - the stories of the noted men
and women who founded and help settle what would become the
state of Tennessee and those individuals who would rise to national
prominence. In addition, it also features stories on famous
events in the state’s colorful past.
Knoxville broadcaster and journalist Ed Hooper - the creator
and producer of Tennessee Online – authored the stories
featured in the classroom section to help in answering questions
received from visitors to the site and as an aide to teachers
requesting more classroom material on the state’s history
and heritage. The Internet site currently handles more than
300 e-mails daily from students, teachers and scholars studying
Tennessee history and this should enable us to focus more on
speeding up our reply time to the growing number of public and
private schools utilizing the site across the South.
More features will be added in the future and current stories
updated as more information comes available of the events and
subjects in the segment through archaeological studies and further
research by scholars.
The section is broken down into three sections to make navigation
of the site easier for students and teachers. At the end of
most feature stories, is a section dedicated to updates and
source materials for students and teachers of Tennessee history
who wish to read more about the individual or events documented
from other sources.
At the request of school administrators, photographs of the
individuals will remain in the Tennessee Trivia section of the
site to prevent classroom assignment problems.
We hope you enjoy the new segment and welcome responsible comments.
If you encounter any problems, please don’t hesitate to
contact us.
click below to go to
"Tennessee
History Classroom."
TN
Preservation Trust announces state’s ‘10
most endangered’ historic sites
KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Preservation
Trust has released it’s second annual list of the state’s
10 most endangered historic places in Tennessee.
The organization released the list this past November at their
annual membership meeting in Clarksville and it includes numerous
historic sites in the East Tennessee area.
"This year’s list," said Executive Director Patrick
McIntyre, "reflects the full-range of irreplaceable historic
treasures that make Tennessee unique. There is a 200-year-old
farm in Sevier County, Native American archaeological sites
in Chattanooga and the Alexander Inn – one of the most
important remaining landmarks associated with the development
of the ‘secret city’ of Oak Ridge. We’ve also
listed the Chisca Hotel in Memphis where the first Elvis song
was broadcast out of a real concern it could become the next
‘Heartbreak Hotel’ is not included in the development
plans for the South Main historic District. By spotlighting
these special places, we hope people will recognize their importance
to our state’s heritage and work to keep them for the next
generation of Tennesseans to know and appreciate."
The TPT is a nonprofit advocacy organization and an affiliate
of the Washington, D.C.-based National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The list, in order, includes:
o 1. Tennessee’s historic stone walls, which is defined
as a statewide threat due to private development and a lack
of public awareness of their value. While legislation was passed
to protect the stone structures – making destruction without
owner consent illegal. People still rob the walls of their stones
to be used elsewhere.
o 2. The J. Allen Smith House in Knoxville is defined as being
threatened by demolition. The Mediterranean Revival-style home
was once the residence of White Lilly Founder and Knoxville
industrialist J. Allen Smith. The Cherokee Country Club acquired
the home in 1999 and slated it to be demolished in order for
the club to put in extra parking for it’s members-only
golf course. Some members of the Country Club managed to get
a bill introduced into the legislature last session to allow
them to demolish the home, but preservationists across the state
as well as Knoxvillians and Mayor Victor Ashe successfully fought
to have the legislation thrown out of the session. It is expected
to reemerge this session, but press coverage of the efforts
to preserve and the powerful municipal league lobby are planning
to fight it. The rare wood and marble floor entry as well as
the structure itself are considered one of the best surviving
domestic examples of architect Charles Barber’s work.
o 3. Gager Lime Manufacturing Company in Franklin County was
listed as endangered because of general neglect.
The concrete buildings of the company the TPT says are significant
because of Egyptian and Gothic Revival styles used in the structures.
The company buildings are so unique that preservationists are
hoping to preserve the castle-like structure constructed in
the late 1880s and early 1890s.
o 4. The Drane-Foust House in Clarksville is considered threatened
by demolition, even though the historic structure is located
at the gateway to Austin-Peay University and the Tennessee Historical
Commission funded a grant in the late 1990s to replace the roof.
Some school administrators, however, are pushing to have the
boarded up structure demolished. Preservationists and local
activists say the building is an excellent example of a transitional
Queen Anne-Colonial Revival dwelling and worth preserving. It
is hoped the university will find a use for the structure on
campus or will sell it to new stewards who will restore the
home to it’s original condition.
o 5. The Alexander Inn in Oak Ridge comes in at number five
on the list due to the possibility that the 1943 guest house
will be demolished by neglect. The Inn provided housing to visitors
of the Clinton Engineering Works – Oak Ridge – during
the time of the Manhattan Project. The Inn is located on the
National Register of Historic Places for the role it played
in the Project. The building still maintains a high degree of
visibility in the Oak Ridge Heritage Area, but is suffering
from neglect and the lack of an interested party or parties
to restore the structure.
o 6. The Historic Mills of Washington County is threatened by
highway development. Preservationists say the structures are
endangered by road projects as well as residential and commercial
development. The three mills, which range in construction dates
from 1778 to 1894, were once vital to the communities of upper
East Tennessee and a part of the culture and heritage of the
region. The St. John’s Mill, which has been in continuous
operation since 1778 is facing a major problem with the Tennessee
Department of Transportation, who is proposing right-of-way
improvements that would make access to the mill more difficult
for customers.
o 7. The Chisca Hotel in Memphis is considered endangered because
of demolition. The Hotel, which has been owned by the Church
of God in Christ as their headquarters since 1971, could be
destroyed if a downtown redevelopment plan is put in place for
the South Main Historic District. The hotel used to be home
to the Dewey Phillips radio program, who, in 1954, became the
first radio announcer to air a recording by Elvis Presley. Preservationists
say the building’s square footage offers numerous opportunities
for the building and it should be included in the downtown revitalization
plan now be handled by Florida-based developers, who have spoke
negatively about preserving the historic structure.
o 8. The Trotter-McMahan farm in Sevierville is listed as endangered
because of road construction and urban sprawl. The Trotter-McMahan
property has been identified by scholars of architectural and
agricultural history as one of the most important remaining
historic landscapes in the state. It is located in the Middle
Creek Community and has been owned by the same family for more
than 200 years – a record preservationists say is extraordinary.
Several of the buildings that comprise the National Register-listed
Farm would be considered landmarks in their own right, including
the oldest documented cantilever barn in the county – a
portion of which may date to the 18th century – and an
imposing gambrel-roofed, rack-sided stock barn built in the
late 19th Century. The two-story Greek Revival dwelling built
by Dr. William H. Trotter in 1848 forms the centerpiece of the
ensemble. Within the past year, the construction of a six-lane
highway connecting Sevierville with Pigeon Forge has begun and,
in effect, will split the farm in two. Preservationists say
the split will lead to unprecedented commercial and residential
development pressures. The family hopes to maintain the farmstead’s
core buildings and insulate them as much as possible from nearby
suburban and tourism-related development. At present the Trotter-McMahan
Farm property remains the last intact farms of it’s size
in this part of Sevier County.
o 9. St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia
is listed as threatened because of neighborhood deterioration.
The site has been a meeting place of church members since 1870.
While the church itself is in good architectural condition,
the neighborhoods around the structure itself is rapidly degrading
and preservationists hope it’s listing will lead to a community-led
revitalization project, which will help preserve the historic
black church.
o 10. Native American Archaeological Sites in Hamilton County
are listed this year because of private development and erosion.
This past year the U.S. Senate passed a bill making the National
historic Landmark-listed Moccasin Bend a National Park, but
numerous other sites in Hamilton County, with a history in some
cases more than 12,000-years-old are being threatened and not
included in any preservation plans of the region. Recent construction
of a waterfall restaurant uncovered burial remains near the
Mississippian period Citico burial ground – destroyed in
the early 20th century. Historic sites on the river such as
Williams, Dallas and MacClellan Islands are being threatened
by gradual erosion. Preservationists say educational initiatives,
public-private partnerships and coordinated efforts at identifying
and documenting additional archaeological sites throughout metropolitan
Chattanooga are needed to help preserve the Native American
sites.
Governor
dedicates new state forest
NEWPORT
– Gov. Don Sundquist formally dedicated the Martha Sundquist
State Forest – Tennessee’s first state forest dedication
in more than 50 years.
The ceremony was held at the Hartford Welcome Center in Cocke
County.
"This forest is a tremendous addition to protected lands
in Tennessee," said Gov. Sundquist. "Martha and I
are deeply touched that the General Assembly has recognized
her contributions as Tennessee’s first lady by naming this
magnificent property for her."
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Legislature passed a resolution,
which was sponsored by former Sen. Tommy Haun and Rep. Ronnie
Davis, naming Tennessee’s newest state forest the "Martha
Sundquist State Forest." The resolution recognized the
governor’s wife for her work on women’s and children’s
issues as well as her efforts to promote conservation and beautification
in Tennessee.
"Tennesseans are blessed to live in a state of such natural
abundance and beauty," said Martha Sundquist. "Words
cannot express how privileged I feel to know that my name is
associated with this beautiful property. I am very grateful
to the General Assembly for it’s support."
The Martha Sundquist State Forest, which was formerly known
as the Gulf Tract, was acquired from International Paper Corporation
by the state in 2001 through the financial assistance of the
Conservation Fund.
The 2000-acre state forest lies just west of the Appalachian
Trail surrounded by Cherokee National Forest. It includes the
upper watershed of Big Creek –a major tributary of the
French Broad River. The forest provides habitat for black bear
and recreational benefits include fishing, hiking, horseback
riding, hunting and camping. The Department of Agriculture also
uses the forest to demonstrate sustainable forestry practices.
The Martha Sundquist State Forest is Tennessee’s 14th state
forest and was the first addition to the 160,000-acre state
forest system in more than 50 years. In august, Gov. Sundquist
announced the acquisition of the Anderson-Tully property in
Lauderdale County – portions of which became a wildlife
management area and Tennessee’s 15th state forest.
TN
Preservation Trust’s 2001 scorecard
NASHVILLE – According to preservationists with the Tennessee
Preservation Trust, progress on last year’s ‘ten most
endangered historic sites in Tennessee’ was pretty good
overall with only the Coffman House in Hamblen County and the
Dixie Portland Cement Pumphouse receiving a "no progress"
designation.
In order of last year’s list, the status of the endangered
historic sites is as follows:
o 1. CSA Train Depot in Johnson City received a "Some Progress"
grade.
o 2. Deery Inn in Blountville received the only "Saved!".
The Sullivan County government recently awarded a Transportation
Enhancement grant in the amount of $828, 454 for restoration
of the Deery Inn. These funds will be used to restore the historic
inn and to refurbish several of the dependency buildings on
the property site.
o 3. Coffman House in Whitesburg’s, Hamblen County received
a "No Progress" designation.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will widen State
Highway 11E. While the Coffman House is in the vicinity of the
road project, TDOT will not physically take the property related
to the Coffman House, however, damage to the structure may be
unavoidable.
o 4.Devon farm in Nashville received a "Some Progress."
o 5. Trail of Tears, which is a statewide project received a
"Good Progress" designation. A National Park Service-funded
study is currently underway to assess and determine National
Register-eligible sites associated with the Trail and interest
continues to develop. In Pulaski, where two of the trails intersected,
the Trail of Tears Committee has brought together several local
groups. The Committee recently moved an endangered 61-year-old
stone church – Mars Chapel – to a nearby park for
use as a memorial that will include exhibits on the Trail of
Tears and the forced Cherokee Removal.
o 6. Melrose School in Memphis received a "Some Progress"
designation.
o 7. Chucalissa in Memphis received a "Some Progress"
score. A new organization with the name "Friends of Chucalissa"
was formed to help supplement the annual budget of the important
Native American site. Although fund-raising efforts are well
underway, unfortunately an exhibit had to be closed recently
due to continued structural deterioration. The site has long-been
one of the most visited Native American sites in Tennessee.
o 8. Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bradley County received
a "Good Progress" designation for the efforts of community
members in helping repair and restore the historic site. Plans
are now underway to begin restoration of the cemetery.
o 9. Dixie Portland Cement Pumphouse in Marion County’s
South Pittsburg received a "No Progress."
o 10. Robert E. Lee School in Henry County’s Paris received
a "Good Progress" for a local effort to restore and
rehabilitate the structure into an income producing property,
which is hoped will continue to pay for the school’s upkeep
and preservation.
Gen.
Dennis Cavin says ‘Volunteer’
tradition continues in TN
KNOXVILLE
– With the appointment of
Lt. General Dennis Cavin to head up Army Accessions Command
at Fort Monroe, VA. in February, the Martin, TN native joined
Oak Ridge native Gen. "B.B." Bell as two native sons
who succeeded to Commanding General Rank in the U.S. Army this
year.
Dennis Cavin was born in Martin, TN Oct. 22, 1947. The Cavins
had been a well established family in the community for more
than 100 years and owned a small family farm, where Dennis Cavin
spent his youth working the long hours necessary to help his
family make a living. Cavin attributes his parent’s teaching
him the value of giving his word, hard work, respect and commitment
to finishing a job.
Following his graduation from High School, he continued his
education and became the first in his family to attend college
when he entered the University of Tennessee at Martin to study
Agriculture.
"I was able to go to college through a lot of opportunities
that were given me," said Gen. Cavin. "The opportunity
to go to work in a men’s store there in Martin owned and
operated by an Army Lieutenant Colonel who retired there to
open the store and he kind of took me under his wing and helped
me. His early mentor passed away last April and was buried in
Arlington National cemetery with full military honors."
During his time in college, then-student Dennis Cavin married
his childhood sweetheart Mary Brann, whom he met at a church
picnic while still in high school, and recently celebrated their
34th wedding anniversary.
Following his graduation with an Agricultural Degree in 1970,
he was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. He
told his wife that he would only be in the Army for two years.
"I did not intend to make the Army a career," said
Gen. Cavin, " I came into the Army in 1970 and no one came
into the Army then stating up front they were going to make
the U.S. Army a career. We were in the middle of the Vietnam
War and nobody really knew what the future held, but after a
year or so in the Army, I discovered I really did enjoy leading
soldiers with the challenges the Army provided you. What I enjoyed
most was probably watching young men and women grow and develop
and to accomplish things based on your ability to plan and your
ability to resource them properly and your ability to execute
those plans. To watch them mature and get things done they themselves
thought they would never be able to do."
General Cavin’s decorations and awards include the Defense
Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf
Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster),
Army Commendation Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the
Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification
Badge.
Gen. Dennis Cavin still describes himself as a farm boy from
Tennessee and carries a lot of pride in his home state’s
record of military service and is proud of the rich heritage
of service to America.
"Tennessee has always made me proud of this state’s
service to the Army and this nation," said Gen. Cavin.
"They are doing very well here at the University of Tennessee
in their R.O.T.C. program as well as in our enlisted recruiting.
We are doing very well across the board in Tennessee and why
shouldn’t we be? We are an all volunteer Army and this
is the ‘Volunteer’ state. I use that frequently because
as I go around and talk to groups I tell every one of them;
I looked at the past records and I am amazed. The majority of
solders who entered the service from Tennessee were all volunteers
and none of them were drafted. It is a tradition that still
continues to this day and speaks well of the character of this
state’s families and the patriotism that exists here for
this nation."
General Cavin and his wife Mary have one daughter, Mrs. Brandie
Costello, who became the second generation to graduate from
U.T.-Martin. She currently resides in Nashville.
Great
Smoky Mountains National Park
begins winter schedule
GATLINBURG-Officials
with the Great Smoky National Park began their winter schedule
last week closing some facilities and reducing operational hours
for some Park services.The biggest delay for many will be the
Newfound Gap Road Tunnels Rehabilitation project. It resumed
this past Monday and is expected to continue until Nov. 26.
Stonemasons will work on the guard walls near the two tunnels
and perform other miscellaneous roadwork. Crews will be permitted
to work seven days a week and this will entail one-lane traffic
closures. No work will occur on Veterans Day.
This schedule should cause only minor traffic delays and motorists
should be extremely cautious and adhere to the 15 mile-per-hour
speed limits that are posted near the construction areas.
During the winter months, the two main roads "Newfound
Gap (U.S.441) and Little River " will remain open, except
for temporary closures during extreme winter weather conditions.
The Gatlinburg By-Pass. Cades Cove Loop Road, Cosby Road, Greebrier
Road, Foothills Parkway (East and West), Upper Tremont, Little
Greenbrier, forge Creek and Lakeview Drive will open and close
as road conditions mandate. Secondary
Roads Balsam Mountain, Heintooga/Roundbottom and Straight Fork
closed last week. Rich Mountain and Parson Branch Road will
close on Nov. 14
and Clingmans Dome and Roaring Fork Motor Trail will close on
Dec. 1.
Park officials stress that anyone planning on driving into the
Smoky Mountains National Park call (865) 436-1200 for an update
on weather and road conditions.
Visitors Centers have reduced their hours of operation. The
Sugarlands Visitor Center is now open daily from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC will
be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Cades Cove Visitor Center
will be opened daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. LeConte Lodge will
accommodate guests until Nov. 26, when it will be closed for
the season. Two of the three major campgrounds will remain open
all
year. Cades Cove in Tennessee and Smokemont in North Carolina
Starting Nov. 1, they will be on a self-registration basis with
a reduced number of available sites. Elkmont in Tennessee will
remain open through the Thanksgiving weekend and will be closed
on Dec. 1. Balsam Mountain and the six remaining self-registration
campgrounds closed last week.Six Picnic areas will remain open
through the winter. These are Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Cosby,
Greebrier, Metcalf
Bottoms and Deep Creek.All stables in the Park are now closed,
except the Smoky Mountain Riding Stable, which will continue
service until Dec. 2 weather permitting. All auto-accessed horse
camps are now close as well.
East
Tennessee native to head Army in Europe
OAK RIDGE – Tennessee can
add another native to it’s long list of prominent military
figures.
The United States Senate officially approved U.S. Army General
Burwell B. Bell III on Oct. 17 for the top post in America’s
European command. President George W. Bush nominated Bell for
the command position earlier this year. He will advance from
Lieutenant General to general rank and take over U.S. Army forces
in Europe (USAREUR).
The 55-year-old Oak Ridge native is expected to relinquish his
command Fort Hood, Texas and assume his new post in Heidelberg,
Germany early next year. He will be replacing Gen. Montgomery
Meigs who is expected to retire at the end of the year. Meigs
has led the Army’s European forces for the past four years.
General Burwell "B.B." Bell III is the son of career
Army officer B.B. Bell Jr., who was assigned to the Manhattan
project following his graduation from the United States Military
Academy at West Point in 1943. He worked for Union Carbide Nuclear
Division as an instrumentation engineer at the Oak Ridge Y-12
Plant and the Oak Ridge K-25 Site until his retirement in 1973.
He passed away last year at age 84 in Kingston following a brief
illness.
Bell was born in Oak Ridge on April 9, 1947. He graduated from
Oak Ridge High School where he played football and went on to
attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and enroll
in the Reserved Officers Training Corps. He advanced in ROTC
and decided to do four years in the Regular Army. During his
first posting in Germany, the Oak Ridge native decided to make
a career in the service. He worked himself through the ranks
of the Army proving himself an able officer and military professional.
He served as Executive Office to Gen. Norman Schwartkopz during
the 1990-91 Gulf War where he received a Bronze Star and went
on to serve as Chief of Staff during Operation Joint Endeavor
in the Balkans. During his tenure, he became regarded as an
officer who could get the job done.
In addition to the Bronze Star, he has also received the Distinguished
Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit
with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak
Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf
Clusters.
Gen. Bell’s posts have included Fort Knox, assignments
in Europe and his current assignment as commanding general at
Fort Hood, Texas.
Bell will be the Commanding General, United States Army Europe
and will be one of eight four-star generals now serving in the
Army. He will be over more than 60,000 active duty troops that
are a combat ready force, including two armored divisions. Although
based in Europe, his new command is available for immediate
deployment anywhere in the world.
The possible role of the European forces in any planned action
against Iraq are unknown, but is believed, after a solution
is found to the current situation in the Middle Eastern nation,
the administration will continue the policy of reorganizing
the European command. Some have said they expect Bell to be
the best man for the task ahead and have described the next
few years in Europe as a turning point for American forces.
Military officials say they expect some changes to be made in
America’s European forces and say Bell is the perfect candidate
to "facilitate any such transformations" and maintain
the strong ties America has with their allies in Europe while
such changes are being made.
According to those close to the general and those who have served
under him, Gen. Bell is regarded as a tough, no-nonsense officer
and a brilliant field commander, who balances tough demands
on his troops with a high priority on taking care of their families.
Retired General and White House drug czar Barry McCaffrey describes
Bell as "probably the best all-around field commander"
he has known in his 32 plus years of military service.
His wife, former Chattanooga resident Kathleen Bell, have always
made the families of soldiers a top priority throughout his
career in the Army and dedicated their time to numerous volunteer
activities on base to make life easier for the families of servicemen
and women.
When not on duty, Gen. Bell stays close to his Tennessee roots
as a hunter and skeet shooter. Both he and his wife are also
avid Tennessee football fans. They have one grown son, Burwell
Bell IV, who currently resides in Tampa, FL.
Revolutionary
War’s ‘Battle of Boyd’s Creek’
reenactment to be held Dec. 13-15 in Sevierville
SEVIERVILLE – The John Sevier Chapter
of the Sons of The American Revolution are preparing for their
upcoming "Battle of Boyds Creek" encampment and reenactment
scheduled for Dec. 13 - 15 on Boyds Creek Highway in Sever County.
The reenactment commemorates the battle of Boyds Creek, which
was fought on Dec. 16, 1780 by then-Colonel John Sevier and
his group of soldiers who had just returned from the Battle
of Kings Mountain. Sevier defeated a large force of Cherokee
Indians who had attacked the settlers while he and his soldiers
were away engaged in the King's Mountain battle. The Cherokee
were allied with the British during the war and were used effectively
by the Crown in numerous engagements along the frontier of North
America.
Historians would later call the Battle of Boyds Creek "one
of the best fought battles in the border region of Tennessee
and the only Revolutionary War engagement in the region.
For two days, the reenactors will be encamped at the site and
the actual battle reenactment will take place on Dec. 15.
Admission to the event is free for both spectators and those
wishing to participate in the battle.
Costume for the event will include both colonial uniforms and
wear often associated with the backwoodsmen of the era as well
as Cherokee Dress.
"This is a first-rate educational activity for students
and families," said Mary Ann Clark, "and the event
attracts more and more people each year. The battle is always
the climax of the event, but the encampments of the soldiers
and the historical accuracy in everything from uniforms to camp
gear is amazing. I hope that there is a good Cherokee presence
at the event. Their historically accurate dress and encampments
are probably one of the biggest surprises to people who are
still caught up in the ‘Hollywood’ image of Native
Americans and don’t realize how wrong their depiction of
the Cherokee are. This is always a lot of fun for families to
attend."
The annual event is one that may local reenactors like to participate
in and enjoy the educational aspect of it as well.
"We really have a good time with the encampment and battle,"
said one reenactor, "and always enjoy the opportunity to
teach others about the battle and this period in American history.
Tennessee has one of the richest military heritages in the nation
and it was founded in this era of our nation’s past."
The annual Battle of Boyds Creek reenactment is free and open
to the public. Officials are hopeful that there will be a great
turnout for the event, which will feature a number of other
activities as well.
"What I find most fascinating about this region is the
vast history of it that so few of its own people seem to know,"
said one local historian. "You have on Tennessee soil a
time-line that stretches from Hernando De Soto to the French
& Indian War to the American Revolution and beyond. Old
forts, camp sites and historical places across this state that
few people remember anymore and reenactments such as this help
preserve and keep alive the history of this region. We are seeing
our Civil War history preserved through first-class reenactments
and events such as this allow us to try and preserve the other
eras in America’s past that played out here in Tennessee."
