The History of Knoxville, TN

Welcome to Knoxville, TN! Situated on the Tennessee River in eastern Tennessee, Knoxville is home to more than 850,000 residents. If you are moving to Knoxville and don’t know anything about the city, don’t worry! Our trusted Knoxville residential movers have got you covered with the things you need to know about our city. You’ll feel comfortable with your new Knoxville home in no time.

The History of Knoxville

To feel like a Knoxville native, you must first know the history of our city. Knoxville is near the center of the Great Valley of East Tennessee and at the headwaters of the Tennessee River, making Knoxville the center for the state's economy, culture and history. At the beginning of our history, before the Europeans settled, Knoxville was the land of the Cherokee Indians. This lasted until 1786 when James White established a fort in Knoxville in addition to a cluster of cabins for homes.

In the 1800s, Knoxville began to use the river and railroad connections to their advantage, in addition to their geographical location. This allowed Knoxville to become one of the largest distributing centers in the country. Knoxville was a very large commodity during the Civil War. When the war was over, Knoxville revived its economy through commerce, industry and natural resources, such as lumber, coal, and marble. In the 20th century, Knoxville became what is known as a “New Deal” city because of its natural resources and river-generated power. Today, Knoxville is home to those who are pioneers in the industry, leaders in the arts, and traditionalists working to preserve their heritage.¹ If you are interested in learning more about the history of Knoxville, our local movers in Knoxville recommend visiting one of the 20 museums or performing arts venues in our community.

What is Knoxville Named After?

One of the most interesting pieces of the history of our town is what Knoxville is named after. The city of Knoxville got its name from the first Secretary of War for George Washington, Henry Knox. Knox was also a military officer of the Continental Army and the United States Army.

There are other towns and cities across the country named after Henry Knox, such as Knox, Maine, and Knox, Indiana. There are three other cities in Iowa, Illinois and Maryland named Knoxville. In 8 other states, there are counties named after Knox. And then there is also the famous Fort Knox in Kentucky, which is named after Knox as well.

Don’t forget the history of Knoxville or to contact All My Sons Moving & Storage when you’re getting ready to make your move to our community. We will make your move easy and painless because we take care of everything for you! Our packing services are the best in Knoxville. With 20 years of experience under our belt, you can trust that we will treat your family's belongings as if they were our own! Call us today to schedule your move.

Sources

1. City of Knoxville – History of the City