Experience Unique Tennessee History At James White's Fort, A 18th-Century House In East Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Published November 22, 2021
×
Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
One of the most-visited historical sites in East Tennessee can be found in Knoxville, and it’s most likely a place of state significance that you haven’t heard of just yet. James White Fort was built in the 18th century and remains a paragon to Tennessee’s past. James White is well-known as the founder of Knoxville, and you can tour his original home. It’s a neat way to experience the way early European settlers first made their home here in the area, and it’s a must-visit for local history buffs.
James White's Fort is also known as "White's Fort." It refers to an 18th-century settlement that eventually expanded and became known as the city we love as our own, Knoxville.
The White's Fort settlement was started in 1786 by James White. He was a militia officer during the American Revolutionary War, and White eventually became known as the founder of the city of Knoxville.
The area was renamed by William Blount in 1791, from White's Fort to Knoxville in honor of Henry Knox. In case you're curious who Henry Knox is, exactly, he was a Revolutionary War general and even the Secretary of War under Washington.
On the corner of now State Street and Clinch Avenue, James White built a cabin that became the center of White's Fort. The cabin was later utilized as a kitchen to the nearby Kennedy house, and eventually, the historic structure was relocated to Woodlawn Pike.
Nowadays if you visit James White's Fort you'll find it's located on a bluff nearby its original location, and seven log cabins and even a stockade fence remain in place. Inside you'll find pioneer furnishings and even antique artifacts to experience.
James White's Fort gives you the chance to get up-close-and-personal with local history, and there's no better way to experience the origins of Knoxville than where it first began. Tours are offered on-site from December to March and April to November.
Have you heard of James White's Fort? Did you know it's one of the most historic homes in Knoxville? Hours differ depending on the time of year, so make sure you double-check before making the trek.
What an incredible place to visit! You can learn more about James White’s Fort at its official websiteor Facebook page, and we’d highly recommend checking it out before planning your own visit.
