What makes your town famous? (Maryville, Adamsville: young, moved, family)

[cncguy2000]

France Cemetery in Sparta TN.
This is the burial site for Champ Ferguson, a Confederate ranger, guerilla fighter and martyr, according to legend and the Tennessee Division Sons of Confederate Veterans at
Tennessee Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans -- Champ Ferguson

Ferguson is one of only two Confederate soldiers of higher rank to hang for war crimes allegedly committed during the Civil War. However, folklore suggests that he was not actually hanged. Some people believe his wife paid the executioner to construct the scaffold in such a way that Ferguson would drop through, unharmed, onto a waiting wagon. It is said that the family may have escaped to Oklahoma Indian Territory and assumed new identities.

from the sparta chamber website.
also home to lester flatt and benny martin.
Sparta, Tennessee - Bluegrass U.S.A.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by gizdog

I live in a small town known as "The Arm Pit of Fayette County Cities."
I would partition that they change our known as "The Ugly Duckling City."

Gallaway TN. will not remain the ARM PIT OF FAYETTE COUNTY we will grow into a beautiful swan of a city that will not die.

I thought Gallaway was known as "SPEED TRAP CITY?" US 70/79? Do you drive to Mason for Bozos BBQ?

[akm4]

Franklin is known for the Battle of Franklin, among other things. Home of the most battle-damaged structure still standing from the Civil War. It's an outbuilding at Carter House.

[Ridgerunner]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

And if I remember correctly, Dolly Parton started singing in Knoxville at that station just before it moved to Nashville and that is why she hopped a bus to Nashville the day after she graduated high school, because it moved so she follow as soon as she could.
So, just think, if it didn't start in Knoxville, would Dolly be where she is today?

The Grande Ole Opry started at WSM in Nashville in 1925. The station that Dolly sang on in Knoxville, WBIR-TV, did not go on the air until 1956. Knoxville's WNOX Radio once had a live weekday show, the Midday Merry Go Round, that spawned such future Opry stars as Roy Acuff, Bill Carlisle, Chet Atkins, Homer & Jethro, Archie Campbell and Don Gibson. Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters performed there after the original Carter Family had disbanded. The Merry Go Round was a stepping stone to the Opry, along with Shreveport's Louisiana Hayride, Wheeling, WV's Jamboree, etc.

[Ridgerunner]

Originally Posted by JMT

That's one for Kingsport and Bristol. The Carter family farm is actually in Virginia but just across the state line from Kingsport. The Carter family got its start in country music at a radio station in Bristol, which is one reason Bristol has a legitimate claim to being the birthplace of country music.

And to think, if the Grand Ole Opry had stayed in Knoxville, how would things be different today? Would Knoxville be "Music City USA" instead of Nashville? Would Porter Waggoner's rhinestones be gracing Gay Street in downtown Knoxville instead of along Briley Parkway in Nashville?

Bristol, VA calls itself the Birthplace of Country Music because the Carters (and Jimmie Rodgers) made the first recordings there in 1927. In 1929 WOPI Radio went on the air, but as of now I am unable to confirm that the Carters ever performed there. (Bristol native Ernie Ford was a regular later on). WCYB (now WZAP) featured live performances beginning in 1946 after the Carters had disbanded. For a while in the 1930s the Carters were on Del Rio, Texas' XERA, a high-powered station with a 100,000-watt transmitter across the river in Mexico that could be heard in most of North America.

[Ridgerunner]

Originally Posted by Beretta

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ as "See Rock City".

My great grandmother was a Carter from the Carter Clan. She lived her entire life in Virginia although her ancestors (the Carter clan) were originally from N.C.

Also, it is noteworthy to mention Sam Houston is from TN and the schoolhouse he taught at is still here near Maryville. HGTV is headquartered in Knoxville.

Fun thread!

I too am a proud descendant of the North Carolina Carters. The first of these migrated to Virginia from what is now Carter County in the late 1700s when that region was still a part of North Carolina.

Concerning Sam Houston, he was actually born in Virginia near the community of Fairfield between Lexington and Staunton. A wayside rest area on Highway 11 is named for him.

[mrs1885]

Bone Cave, TN

Named for the fossils of an ancient giant sloth found in a cave. The cave has been found to be a refuge for native Americans, civil war soldiers and residents stills in the days of prohibition. It's currently owned by Rock Island State Park and closed to the public.

[RS-1080]

Alexandria. '' Home Of The Finest Folks On Earth ''. The sign even says so

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

I too am a proud descendant of the North Carolina Carters. The first of these migrated to Virginia from what is now Carter County in the late 1700s when that region was still a part of North Carolina.

Concerning Sam Houston, he was actually born in Virginia near the community of Fairfield between Lexington and Staunton. A wayside rest area on Highway 11 is named for him.

Hello Cousin!

SH may have been born in VA but his family moved to TN when he was a young man after his fathers death. Here is the link to the SH School House. Sam Houston - theBlountWeb!

[TnHilltopper]

Well our county seat of Livingston has an interesting history that is locally famous, but doubt it made any headlines outside of these hills.

Back when we were first a county and were deciding on whether the county seat would be Livingston or Monroe an election was to be held to decide which. Jesse Eldridge and ten others who favored Monroe, started out to vote but stopped overnight in the Oakley community. Eldridge, who personally favored Livingston, arose early in the morning and released the horses of the others who favored Monroe. He then rode to Monroe and was the only one to vote. Which is why our county seat is now Livingston.