Tag Archives: historic america

Americana, Photography, Tennessee

East Tennessee Day Trip

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While looking for a new subject for my podcast, I came across the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. I also noticed they were having a Cherokee Fall Festival. It would make the perfect East Tennessee day trip. So, we made our way from Knoxville, TN to Vonore, TN.

Greenback TN

The Greenback Drugstore and Diner in downtown Greenback, TN.
Greenback Diner

When I travel, I like to stop at local places to eat, so I searched for diners between Knoxville and Vonore and found the Greenback Drugstore and Diner in downtown Greenback, TN. It’s more diner than drugstore. But it’s a great little spot for a quick breakfast. Right across the street from the diner is the historic Greenback Depot, home to several small shops. None of which were open when we came through town.

The historic Greenback depot in downtown Greenback, TN.
Greenback Depot

Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum

At the Cherokee Fall Festival, we were surprised to find Civil War reenactors. I am famous for not reading descriptions all the way through. Apparently, the reenactment is because a troop of Cherokee joined the Confederates for several major battles. We did not stay for the reenactment, battle isn’t my thing. But I did get some cool shots of the actors and their camp.

Civil Ware reenactors are presenting the flags during the opening ceremony for the Cherokee Fall Festival.
Presenting the flags
Tents in the Civil War encampment.
Civil War Camp

The festival was held on the grounds of the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. Sequoyah created the first written language for the Cherokee Nation. He is also believed to be the first person to create a written language without ever knowing how to read or write another language. Listen to the episode to find out more about Sequoyah.

Maryville, TN

On the return, we spotted this abandoned grocery store. The signs on the outside were new. The soda machines out front seemed to be working. There were items inside, but it was early Saturday afternoon and the place was locked up tight. So, I am assuming it is closed for good. I had to stop and take pics.

Abandoned Super Market in Maryville, TN
Super Market

For lunch, we stopped at Jake’s Place on Highway 411 in Maryville, TN. Jake’s is a country cookin’ joint. We BBQ sandwiches. Hubby got fried okra on the side, made with fresh okra, not frozen. I had onion rings because it’s been years since I’ve had them. They were good, just enough breading without being overwhelming. The pulled pork was perfectly smoked without being overwhelming.

Jake's Place on Highway 411 in Maryville, TN.
Jake’s Place Menu

Sometimes it’s difficult to go on a real vacation. A quick day trip usually isn’t hard to find. Our travel time was about an hour each way. We ended up being out of the house for about 7 hours. I’d love to hear about your own day trip! Tell us about it in the comments or share the link to your blog!

Prints are available of the photos in this blog, just click on the pic.

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Americana, Photography

Courthouses of Tennessee

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I have traveled around the world and seen some amazing architecture. Courthouses in particular seem to get the special treatment, no matter where you are or how large the town or city. They tend to be the largest, most ornate structure in town, outside of churches or cathedrals. I have found this to be especially true in small American towns. In these small towns, the courthouse is often in the center of town, towering over all other buildings.

Knoxville Tennessee

Knoxville has the Knox County Courthouse, erected in 1885. The historic courthouse still houses several county departments. However, the majority of the city and county services are in the City-County building, erected in 1979.

Knoxville also has the Howard J. Baker Federal Courthouse.  While originally built for Whittle Communications in the early 1990s, it has all the makings of a proper courthouse. I guess that’s why they made it into one. It has a large central courtyard with a  beautiful clock tower and cupola. It is considered a postmodern version of neo-Georgian architecture.

The quatrefoil patterns on the balcony and porch of the courthouse.
A better view of the front porch and the arches at the entryway.
The clock tower gives the courthouse a colonial element
A man takes a smoke break in the courtyard of the Knox Co. Courthouse.
The Howard J. Baker Federal Courthouse has an arched entry and a beautiful clock tower and cupola.
Howard J. Baker Federal Courthouse in downtown Knoxville, TN

Other Tennessee Courthouses

The historic Loudon County Courthouse is the standard brick with arched windows and doors. Although, it does not have a clock tower or a front porch with columns, as most courthouses do. Construction on this building began in the late nineteenth century.  The Jefferson County Courthouse is located in downtown Dandridge, TN. One of the oldest courthouses in the state of TN, it was erected in 1845. It is constructed in the Greek Revival Style with a tall cupola and large square columns on the front entry. The building is on a large hill, giving it a slightly uneven look.

The historic Loudon Courthouse
It’s Christmas in small town America. The historic Loudon Courthouse is decorated and picturesque.
Jefferson County Courthouse is located in downtown Dandridge, TN.