Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville is a city in Knox County, Tennessee, United States. It is the largest city in the East Tennessee area and had a population of 190,740 people in the 2020 census. The city sits along the Tennessee River within the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

Knoxville has a rich history. It was settled in 1786 and was the first capital of Tennessee. During the American Civil War, the city saw many changes as different armies took control. The city grew a lot after the war and became important for trading and making things. In more recent times, events like the 1982 World's Fair helped bring new life to the city.

Today, Knoxville is known for the University of Tennessee and its popular sports teams, the Tennessee Volunteers. The city is also home to important organizations like the Tennessee Valley Authority and serves as a center for culture in the Appalachian region, close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

History

Main article: History of Knoxville, Tennessee

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Early history

The first people to form settlements in what is now Knoxville were indigenous people who arrived during the Woodland period (around 1000 B.C. to 1000 A.D.). One of the oldest structures in Knoxville is a burial mound built during the Mississippian culture period (around 1000–1400 A.D.). The earthwork mound was preserved, but the University of Tennessee campus developed around it.

By the 18th century, the Cherokee people had become the dominant tribe in East Tennessee. They called the Knoxville area “mulberry place.” The first white traders and explorers arrived in the late 17th century, with Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto possibly visiting Bussell Island in 1540.

Settlement

The end of the French and Indian War in 1763 and the American Revolution led to more settlers moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1786, James White and James Connor built White’s Fort near the mouth of First Creek. In 1790, Charles McClung surveyed land for a new town. Blount College was established, which later became the University of Tennessee.

In 1790, William Blount became governor of the Territory South of the River Ohio. He chose White’s Fort as the capital and named it Knoxville after General Henry Knox.

Antebellum era

Knoxville served as the capital of Tennessee until 1817. It thrived as a trading center, with products like tobacco and corn traded for cotton from the Deep South. The population grew quickly with the arrival of the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad in 1855.

American Civil War

Anti-slavery feelings were strong in East Tennessee, but Knoxville had many who supported the Confederacy. When Tennessee joined the Confederacy, Knoxville became a key Confederate city. Union forces under Ambrose Burnside captured Knoxville in 1863 after a series of battles.

Reconstruction and the Industrial Age

After the war, Knoxville began to recover. New industries like iron works and textile mills grew quickly. The population increased from around 5,000 in 1860 to over 32,000 by 1900. New homes were built, and the city expanded.

Progressive Era and the Great Depression

Knoxville hosted expositions in 1910, 1911, and 1913, which helped create the idea for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tennessee Valley Authority was created in 1933 to control flooding and bring jobs and electricity to the area.

1982 World's Fair and 20th century

Knoxville’s industries faced challenges from foreign competition and changes in transportation. The city tried to grow by adding nearby areas. The 1982 World’s Fair became a huge success, drawing millions of visitors and leaving behind lasting structures like the Sunsphere.

21st century and economic renaissance

Knoxville’s downtown area has been growing with new businesses, arts venues, and housing. Projects along the Tennessee River waterfront aim to bring more people and businesses to the area. New developments continue to shape the city’s future.

Geography

Knoxville is a city in the United States, located in Tennessee. It sits near the Tennessee River and is part of the Appalachian Mountains. The city covers about 104 square miles, with some of that area being water.

Knoxville has warm, humid summers and cooler winters with occasional snow. The city is surrounded by interesting landscapes, including ridges and valleys. The Tennessee River flows through downtown Knoxville, and several smaller streams also run through the area.

The Knoxville area includes many neighborhoods, such as Downtown, South Knoxville, West Knoxville, East Knoxville, and North Knoxville. Each neighborhood has its own special features and places to explore.

Demographics

Knoxville, Tennessee, had a population of 190,740 people in 2020, according to the 2020 census. Most people lived in urban areas, and the median age was 33.3 years. About 18.7% of the population was under 18 years old.

The city had 82,857 households, with many led by single adults. There were 91,908 housing units in total. In the years 2016–2020, the average household had 2.2 people, and about 23.6% of adults had earned a bachelor's degree or higher. The median household income was $41,598, and around 15.9% of families lived below the poverty line.

In 2010, Knoxville's population was 178,874, a small increase from 2000. At that time, the city was 76.1% white, 17.1% black, and smaller percentages of other groups. The median household income was $32,609, and many residents had graduated from high school.

Economy

In 2011, many people in the Knoxville area worked in different jobs. About 15.9% worked for government, 14.1% in professional services, 14% in education or health care, 12.7% in retail, 10.5% in leisure and hospitality, and 8.9% in manufacturing. There were over 19,000 businesses in Knoxville in 2007.

Some big companies in Knoxville include the TVA, a large public power provider, and Pilot Flying J, a big truck stop chain. Other important companies are H. T. Hackney Company, a big grocery supplier, and Tombras Group, a digital advertising firm.

The Knoxville area has many places to shop, with 182 shopping centers and over 2,400 retail spots. West Town Mall is a big shopping mall in the city. The University of Tennessee does a lot of research, working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on many projects. The Tennessee Technology Corridor is a big area for research and development firms.

Arts and culture

See also: Music of East Tennessee

Knoxville is a city with a rich arts scene and many festivals each year. It has made big contributions to old-time, bluegrass, and country music, with famous musicians like Flatt and Scruggs, Homer and Jethro, and The Everly Brothers.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra started in 1935 and is the oldest orchestra still playing in the southeast. It has professional musicians and plays over 200 events each year. They perform at places like the Tennessee Theatre, the Bijou Theatre, and the Civic Auditorium. The Knoxville Opera puts on operas every year with a chorus. Knoxville was where Sergei Rachmaninoff gave his last concert in 1943 at Alumni Memorial Auditorium at the University of Tennessee.

Knoxville has a lively music scene, especially in punk rock, with venues like Mill & Mine and Pilot Light. The Big Ears music festival started in 2009 and features many kinds of music.

In books, famous writer Cormac McCarthy grew up in Knoxville, and his novel Suttree is set there. James Agee also lived in the city and wrote about life there. Writer Alex Haley moved to Norris, north of Knoxville.

The city has many art festivals, like the 17-day Dogwood Arts Festival in April, with art shows, crafts, food, and music. The Rossini Festival in April celebrates opera and Italian culture. In June, the Kuumba Festival shows African American culture with art, dance, music, and more.

Architecture

Knoxville's tallest buildings are the First Tennessee Plaza and the Riverview Tower on Gay Street. Other tall buildings include the Tower at Morgan Hill, the Andrew Johnson Building, and the Sunsphere, a big tower built for the 1982 World's Fair.

Downtown Knoxville has buildings from many times, like the old James White House from 1786 and the modern Knoxville Museum of Art from 1990. Styles include Greek Revival, Victorian, Gothic, Neoclassical, and Art Deco.

Older neighborhoods have Victorian and Craftsman houses, while later areas have Tudor Revival and Ranch-style homes.

Knoxville has many homes designed by famous architect George Franklin Barber.

Events

The Knoxville Christmas in the City event has eight weeks of activities, including the Singing Christmas Tree and ice skating.

• Asian Festival
• Big Ears Festival
• Boo At The Zoo
• Brewfest
• Concerts on the Square
• Dogwood Arts Festival
• Fantasy of Trees
• Festival on the Fourth
• First Friday ArtWalk
• Greek Fest
• HoLa Festival
• International Biscuit Festival
• Knox Food Fest
• Knoxville Hardcore Fest
• Knoxville Horror Film Festival
• Knoxville Marathon
• Knoxville Powerboat Classic
• Market Square Farmers' Market
• NSRA Street Rod Nationals South
• Rhythm & Blooms Festival
• Rossini Festival
• Tennessee Valley Fair
• Vestival
• Volapalooza

Sites of interest

• Beck Cultural Exchange Center
• Bijou Theatre
• Bleak House
• William Blount Mansion
• Fountain City Art Center
• Candoro Marble Works
• Civic Coliseum
• Fort Dickerson
• Haley Heritage Square
• Ijams Nature Center
• James White's Fort
• Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum
• Knoxville Convention Center
• Knoxville Greenways
• Knoxville Museum of Art
• Knoxville Police Museum
• Zoo Knoxville
• Mabry-Hazen House
• Marble Springs
• Market Square
• Frank H. McClung Museum
• Museum of East Tennessee History
• National Register of Historic Places, Knox County, Tennessee
• Old City
• Ramsey House
• Sunsphere
• Tennessee Amphitheater
• Tennessee River Boat
• Tennessee Theatre
• Three Rivers Rambler Train Ride
• Volunteer Landing
• Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
• World's Fair Park
• Knoxville's Urban Wilderness

Libraries

The Knox County Public Library has the Lawson McGhee Library downtown and 17 smaller libraries with over 1.3 million books.

Sports

The University of Tennessee's athletics programs, called the "Volunteers" or "the Vols", are very popular. Neyland Stadium, where the Vols' football team plays, is one of the largest stadiums in the world with seats for 101,915 people. Thompson–Boling Arena, home of the men's and women's basketball teams, is also one of the biggest indoor basketball arenas in the country. Knoxville is the home of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, mainly because of the success of Pat Summitt and the University of Tennessee women's basketball team.

Knoxville has some professional sports teams.

Government

Knoxville is led by a mayor and a nine-member City Council. The mayor and council work together to make decisions for the city. The council has six members from different areas of the city and three members who represent everyone in Knoxville. They meet every other Tuesday evening to discuss important topics.

The current mayor is Indya Kincannon, who began her role in December 2019. She is the second woman to serve as mayor of Knoxville. Before her, Madeline Rogero was the first woman mayor, elected in 2011. The city also has its own fire and police departments to keep everyone safe.

The Knoxville Fire Department works to protect the city, and the Knoxville Police Department helps keep the community safe. Knoxville is also where the Tennessee Supreme Court has a courthouse for East Tennessee.

City Council

The City Council includes a mayor and nine members. Six of them come from specific parts of the city, and three are chosen by everyone in Knoxville. They are elected by voters and serve for four years before they can be reelected.

List of mayors

See also: Mayoral elections in Knoxville

Not to be confused with Mayor of Knox County.

Education

Knoxville is an important place for learning. The main campus of the University of Tennessee has been there since the 1790s. It has many students and offers hundreds of different subjects to study.

There are also other schools in Knoxville, including Pellissippi State Community College, Johnson University, and South College. These schools provide different kinds of programs, from short courses to full degrees.

Public schools in Knoxville are managed by the Knox County Schools system, which looks after many schools and students. There are also several private schools in the area, offering other options for families.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in Tennessee, List of radio stations in Tennessee, and List of television stations in Tennessee

The Knoxville News Sentinel is Knoxville's main daily newspaper.

Knoxville has many local television stations. The largest is NBC affiliate WBIR-TV, followed by ABC affiliate WATE-TV, CBS affiliate WVLT-TV, Fox affiliate WTNZ, and CW affiliate WBXX-TV. Other stations include WKNX-TV, WVLR, and WPXK. East Tennessee PBS runs the local Public Broadcasting Service station.

The city is also home to several radio stations playing different types of music, including country, rock, and news/talk.

Filming location

Knoxville has been a popular place to film movies and TV shows. Some of these include Woman in Hiding from 1950, October Sky from 1999 starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and Road Trip from 2000 filmed at the University of Tennessee.

Infrastructure

Health

Knox County has many hospitals, with over 2,600 beds across seven main hospitals and one children’s hospital. The largest hospital is the University of Tennessee Medical Center, followed by Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Parkwest Medical Center, and Physicians Regional.

In 2021, Knox County ranked 13th among Tennessee’s counties. People in Knox County live about 76 years on average. Some health facts include that 19% of people smoke, 29% are obese, and there are challenges with drinking and drug use.

Utilities

The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) gives electricity, water, and wastewater services to people in Knoxville. KUB serves over 196,000 customers and buys its electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Transportation

Highways

The main highways in Knoxville are Interstate 40, connecting to Asheville and Bristol to the east and Nashville to the west, and Interstate 75, linking to Chattanooga to the south and Lexington to the north. These highways meet near Dixie Lee Junction and serve different parts of the city. Other important roads include US Route 129 (Alcoa Highway), US Route 70, and several state routes that connect Knoxville to nearby areas.

Mass transit

Public transportation in Knoxville is managed by Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), which runs buses, trolleys, and other vehicles. KAT helps people get around the city, including to shopping centers and the University of Tennessee.

Airports

McGhee Tyson Airport, located in Alcoa, serves Knoxville and the surrounding area. It has two long runways and offers flights to many places. The airport also has a cargo area and a National Guard base.

The Downtown Island Airport is a smaller airport for private planes and other small aircraft.

Railroads

Rail freight in Knoxville is managed by CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads, along with a smaller railroad called the Knoxville and Holston River Railroad. These railroads help move goods in and out of the city.

Historic passenger service

In the past, Knoxville had many train stations where people could catch trains going north, east, south, and west. These stations are no longer used for trains.

River transport

Knoxville is a port city connected to important waterways. Barges bring goods like asphalt, road salt, steel, and coke to the city. People also enjoy recreational boating on the river, with boat slips and marinas available downtown. Special boats, like the Volunteer Princess and the Star of Knoxville, offer cruises on the river.

In popular culture

Knoxville has been featured in many songs, books, and TV shows. Famous film director Quentin Tarantino, who was born in Knoxville, often includes the city in his movies, like Pulp Fiction. Renowned writer Mark Twain wrote about events in downtown Knoxville in his book Life on the Mississippi. Many other authors have used Knoxville as a setting in their stories.

Musicians have also celebrated Knoxville in their work. The traditional song "The Knoxville Girl" comes from the Appalachian region. Classical composer Samuel Barber wrote a piece called "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" based on a short story by James Agee. Several well-known singers, including Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler and country singer Kenny Chesney, have written songs about the city.

Notable people

Main page: Category:People from Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville has been home to many famous people who have made important contributions in different areas. These individuals come from various fields and have helped shape the city's history and culture.