Roane County - Five Distinct Communities

In the late 1700's, hunter Peter Avery was commissioned by the mother state of North Carolina to blaze a trail through the wilderness.  The trail became known as the Avery Trace, connecting the cities of Knoxville and Nashville.

Early settlers found rich pasture land surrounded by mountains and rivers.  In fact, the mighty Tennessee River and its two tributaries, the Clinch and Emory Rivers, influenced the settling and developing of the land in what is now Roane County.

Fort Southwest Point was constructed in 1797 by an army garrison on a high bluff overlooking the Clinch and Tennessee Rivers - now part of Kingston.  Until 1811 the fort served as a major point of interaction between the  Cherokee and the United States government. Today, visitors can explore the only colonial-era fort reconstructed on its original site. The fort's visitor center houses a museum containing artifacts excavated under the supervision of the Tennessee Department of Archeology and is managed by the City of Kingston.  The history of the Fort comes alive during the Living History Days, as staff members dress in period costumes and recreate activities from the past, and also during the Colonial Christmas Candlelight Tour, which will also includes bag-pipe serenades and a night-time firing of the canon.

The fort was also a way station for early migrants traveling between Knoxville and Nashville along the Avery Trace.  Eventually the Avery Trace was replaced with Interstate 40, making Roane County easily accessible to many major metropolitan areas and within a day's drive of 75% of the population. 

Roane County, named after the second governor of Tennessee, Archibald Roane, was established when the Tennessee legislature was asked to establish a new county in the area just west of Knoxville in November, 1801.

Kingston - Leisure on the lake 

Kingston, one of the oldest cities in the state, was established in 1799 as a result of the growing population around Fort Southwest Point. The fort  is part of Southwest Point Park, which serves as both a historical and recreational area.

One example of the city's significance in Tennessee's history happened on September 21, 1807, when Kingston served as the state capital for one day, and the Tennessee House of Representatives convened here.  Today, the historic Roane County Courthouse is one of only 7 remaining antebellum courthouses in the state and houses the Roane County Museum of History.  Roane County and state artifacts are displayed at the museum, along with books and historical documents from the prehistoric era to World War II. 

One of Kingston's greatest attraction is the scenic Watts Bar Lake offering visitors and residents excellent water recreation such as boating, swimming, camping, and world-class fishing.  Fishermen enjoy the solitude of this lake with the abundance of natural life but everyone can enjoy the waterfront location of Kingston, complete with a paved walking trail that winds for more than three miles from Fort Southwest Point along the lake to Kingston City Park. 

Kingston is also home to the annual July 4th celebration - Smokin' the Water which features boat and raft races, classic cars, the Miss Firecracker pageant, and a spectacular fireworks display over the water.

Kingston has preserved many of its historical structures.  One example is the Kingston Manor, one of the oldest homes in Kingston.   New commercial and residential developments, such as Ladd Landing, have used Kingston's rich history as a theme combining the old southern traditional architecture with new urban designs and construction.

Oliver Springs - A great little town

Founded in 1830, the city of Oliver Springs was first known as Winter's Gap.  Later, the town was named after Richard Oliver, its first postmaster, and the natural mineral springs that were nearby.  Mr. Oliver was the first to develop the commercial potential of the springs.  He transported guests staying at his inn to the springs.  Later, a resort hotel was built near the springs, catering to wealthy guests from all over the nation who came to drink the water and bathe in the springs.  Sadly, the grand resort burned in 1905.

Today, visitors can see the original hotel ticket booth at the Oliver Springs Railroad Depot Museum.  This unique museum, housed in an 1897 train depot, contains historical artifacts and photos of Oliver Springs' rich mining history.  A restored southern caboose, horse-drawn fire wagon, and a 1950 Oliver Springs fire truck are located next to the museum. 

The downtown area has kept its unique charm with antique shops, restaurants, and a candy shop to delight the children.  Hollywood producers chose several sites in this quaint town to film scenes in the popular movie, October Sky.   

Oliver Springs has recently become a destination favored by off-road enthusiasts, offering several OHV areas totaling 72,000 acres available for off-road fun.  Inns and campgrounds can now be found near the Coal Creek OHV area as well as specialty shops offering off-road gear and souveniers in downtown Oliver Springs. 

Rockwood - A town rich in history

After the Civil War, Union officer and geologist John T. Wilder was traveling through Roane County and discovered an abundance of iron on Walden Ridge.    He later returned with northern industrialists to begin a mining and milling operation called the Roane Iron Company in 1868.  The city of Rockwood was established.  As the population grew the city of Rockwood was named after the company's first President, William O. Rockwood.  Rockwood began as a company town, and today's visitors can still see the symmetrical houses that the iron company built for its employees. 

Many historic homes have been restored and the  1^st  weekend in December homeowners open their doors to visitors for the Rockwood Christmas Home Tour.

Downtown Rockwood draws visitors with its antique and specialty shops, home cooking and fine dining, a park in the downtown square, and an old-fashioned ice cream soda fountain from the 1890s - all within a city block.  Here visitors can also enjoy Yonder Hollow, a music show where local bluegrass musicians gather every Friday night to play.  Visitors will enjoy foot-stompin' fun in the style of O, Brother, Where Art Thou.  The town enjoys the Thunder Road Festival in April, a fall festival in October, and during the 1^st weekend in December the annual home tour complete with civil war re-enactments.

Rockwood is home to a muliple-use youth sports park that brings in local, regional and national tournaments throughout the year. 

Industry continues to impact the economy of Rockwood, which is the home of the Roane County Industrial Park, a large shopping plaza, the Rockwood Municipal Airport and a newly developed industrial park - Plateau Partnership.  High-end residential developments are springing up along the banks of Watts Bar Lake with breathtaking views.

Just outside the City of Rockwood nature enthusiasts will enjoy a drive up to the overlook at Mount Roosevelt State Forest.  Here you will find breathtaking views of the valley, Watts Bar Lake, and the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Harriman - Victorian Charm

Known as "The Town that Temperance Built," Harriman was originally invisioned as a town of social temperance and industry where "no manufacture, storage or sales of intoxicating liquor or beverages" would take place.  A former Methodist minister and founder of the East Tennessee Land Company, Frederick Gates, was the visionary behind the idea. Gates advertised the "Great Land Sale of 1890" across the country.  The sale was a success as thousands came from all over to buy land, forming the City of Harriman.

The city of Harriman has been able to maintain many of the original town buildings including The Princess Theatre, one of only a few art deco theatres still standing today.  Visitors can visit Harriman's Carnegie Library, one of the few remaining buildings in the country originally funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, as well as, the magnificent Temperance Building which houses Harriman's Heritage Museum. 

The Heritage Museum has a wide variety of artifacts, photos, and memorabilia from Harriman's past and is available for visitors to view by appointment.  Visitors can also view the elaborate Victorian architecture common during the period following the Great Land Sale while strolling through the Cornstalk Heights Historical District. Located on the National Register of Historic Places, this district features over 100 homes and structures and was recently featured in the March 2010 issue of "This Old House" as one of the 'Best Old House Neighborhoods' in the US.  Cornstalk Heights residents open up their homes to visitors during the annual Historic Harriman Christmas Tour, the 2^nd weekend in December.  Don't miss the annual 'Haunting of Harriman, a guided walking tour in October full of stories sure to give you chill bumps. To learn more about Cornstalk Heights, their Historic Home Tour and other events visit http://www.cornstalkheights.com.

The Rocky Top General Store is also a stop not to be missed.  An authentic general store it is part retail, part museum with a little bit of everything.  They are host of the Tennessee "Polk Salad" Festival held the 2^nd Saturday in May, complete with bluegrass music, crowning of Miss Polk Salad, and of course poke salit.  The festival is held at the David Webb Riverfront Park, located at the end of town along the banks of the Emory River.  Within walking distance of downtown Harriman, the park is home to several memorials as well as the Farmers Market, held each Saturday during the summer months. 

Cars of all makes and models rumble into historic downtown Harriman during the monthly Cruisin' car show the 2^nd Saturday from April to August.

In the early days, as the population grew in Kingston, settlers traveled across the Clinch River into the area known today as Midtown.  With the construction of Interstate 40 and the natural beauty of the river, Midtown grew.  In fact, several times in the 1990s residents voted to incorporate it as a town.  For a time the community maintained a municipal government but the incorporation was challenged in court and eventually overturned so it is now an unincorporated community that is part of Harriman.

You will find Roane County Park nearby.  An 80-acre nature preserve with walking and hiking trails, it is located along the banks of Watts Bar Lake.  Today, visitors can enjoy the playground, swimming area, pavilions, ball fields, and tennis courts.   Right next door is Caney Creek RV Resort and Marina, an upscale resort right on the lake, where you will find many quality amenities including a waterfront pool and pavilion.  

Oak Ridge - A city of energy

Roane County experienced dramatic changes during the 1930's and 1940's.  The Tennessee Valley Authority started programs to develop a new economy, additional electricity and a year-round navigable waterway to Knoxville.  One of the most important changes in the county occurred when Oak Ridge was the site chosen by the United State Government to develop the atomic bomb for the Manhattan Project during World War II - and the military-constructed community was born. 

Colonel Leslie R. Groves, with the Army Corps of Engineers, was instrumental in choosing the large area in Roane County, which involved taking land and removing whole communities for the efforts of the war.  Because of the project's development of the "Atomic Bomb" WWII - the costliest war in history - ended on August 14, 1945. Visitors can take historic train rides on the Secret City Excursion Train through the rolling hills of Roane County and learn about the history of the Manhattan Project.

One of the examples of a displaced community was the Wheat Community.  Today the Wheat Community African Burial Ground reminds visitors of the once-thriving farming community that was displaced by the project.  A monument marks the entrance to a slave cemetary that was located in the Wheat Community.

Roane County is proud to be home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), established in 1942 as part of the Manhattan Project.   In the decades since, the laboratory has attracted top talent from around the globe to work on projects ranging from green power to high-performance computing.  Private start-up companies serving as contractors to the lab or to develop new innovations have also been attracted to the area.  ORNL also anchors Innovation Valley, a regional Knoxville-Oak Ridge area economic development effort.