Rocky Top in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

State Coal Mine

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

1. State Coal Mine Marker

Inscription. The arrival of General Carnes with the bulk of the state militia overwhelmed the miners by the late summer of 1892. Although they lost the final battle, Coal Creek miners won the war when newly-elected Gov. Peter Turney fulfilled a campaign promise and appropriated funds to build Brushy Mountain State Prison with its associated coal mine.

Unlike the convict lease system, the state-operated coal mine provided financial incentive for the state to sustain safe working conditions for convict miners. The Brushy Mountain Mine in Petros continue to yield substantial profits for state coffers until it closed in 1938.

Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 36° 12.883′ N, 84° 10.017′ W. Marker is in Rocky Top, Tennessee, in Anderson County. It is on Vowell Mountain Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocky Top TN 37769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in Greater Knoxville. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Militia Hill (here, next to this marker); Breastworks (here, next to this marker); American Chestnuts

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(here, next to this marker); Fire on Coal Creek (here, next to this marker); Siege on Fort (here, next to this marker); Ghosts of Convict Miners (here, next to this marker); Fort Anderson (here, next to this marker); Why Miners Fought (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Top.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

2. State Coal Mine Marker

Marker on left.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.