Ghost House Loop Trail Visit the beautiful Big Ridge State Park to explore some local history during spooky season. The Ghost House Loop Trail is a 1.2-mile easy-to-moderate loop hike which begins near the group campsite and takes you deep into the history of this area's pre-1930s inhabitants…
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Several cities tout their favorite local authors, because people like to see the places they’ve read about in novels. Knoxville has its own literary heritage, associated with nationally well-known books and authors, and a brand-new guide to the city’s notable writers, and the places they wrote…
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The University of Tennessee is arguably the largest entity in Knoxville, and one of the oldest. But how well do we know it? About 100,000 people gather there now and then, especially in the fall to watch a football game, but may not see much of the rest of the university. But UT’s campus presents a…
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February may be Black History Month, but Black history is American history, and in Knoxville there’s plenty to go around for the whole year. This post highlights the Black history of this area along with attractions that have temporary and permanent exhibits, murals, statues, parks, and more. Beck…
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What was Christmas like 100 years ago? Many things in Knoxville were different. There was no TV, no Internet, and for most of the decade, no movies with sound. But the holidays were really not so different from the holidays today. In fact, you don’t need a whole lot of imagination to walk around…
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History enthusiasts from around the world come to Knoxville to explore the many historical homes, buildings, sites and artifacts our city has to offer. Those with ties to the region ALSO come here to explore their OWN family history via genealogical research. I’m going to take you through a personal…
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Take a Sunday-afternoon stroll to behold Knoxville's ecclesiastical architecture! Churches are often the most striking buildings in any city, and that’s certainly the case in Knoxville. The stories behind downtown’s historic churches make them interesting to look…
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There are so many things to do and see in Knoxville that any short list is likely to seem pretty random. And it goes without saying that a walk around downtown that includes Gay Street, Market Square, and the Old City is an essential. That’s just what you do when you come to Knoxville. But the…
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On Gay Street there’s a cineplex and a historic movie theater, and just across the street, at the Museum of East Tennessee History, is a comprehensive exhibit about the history of film here. It’s called “Lights! Cameras! East Tennessee!” and it’s pretty fascinating. Movies, still a favorite form of…
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Market Square today is known for its lively farmers’ market, open-air musical events, and its array of restaurants and nightspots. But this month, Knoxville will honor its heritage in the history of American journalism. As only a few people know, major publisher Adolph Ochs, founder of the modern…
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