Etowah in McMinn County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Etowah

A Railroad Town

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 27, 2017

1. Etowah Marker

Inscription. The Louisville and Nashville (L&N) built Etowah between 1904 and 1906 as division headquarters for its new Cincinnati to Atlanta line. Workers were transferred from other L&N facilities or recruited from nearby farming communities, other states, and several foreign countries. Company civil engineers laid out the new town in a muddy farm field, with L&N buildings lining the tracks. Private businesses and residences for white workers were built to the west, while many black employees settled on the eastern side of the rail yards. The renovated passenger depot now houses a railroad museum and local civic and art organizations.

At its peak, Etowah’s L&N complex included a roundhouse, maintenance shops, freight and passenger depots, and employed over 2,000 men.

Erected by Tennessee Dept. of Transportation; Tennessee 200, Inc.; East Tennessee Foundation; the counties of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the A Tennessee Overhill Experience - From Furs to Factories

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 35° 19.392′ N, 84° 31.469′ W. Marker is in Etowah, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is on L and North Drive (Tennessee Route 411), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located near the old L&N Depot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Etowah TN 37331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

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: The Louisville and Nashville Railroad (here, next to this marker); Company "A" 278th Inf R.C.T. (within shouting distance of this marker); Etowah World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021

2. Etowah Marker

this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gem (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Gem (about 500 feet away); The Balcony (about 500 feet away); The Lights (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Etowah.

Also see . . .
1. Louisville and Nashville Railroad. (Submitted on October 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Etowah, Tennessee. (Submitted on October 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 2. submitted on July 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.