Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Rotary Club of Knoxville
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2019
1. Rotary Club of Knoxville Marker
On this site on June 3, 1915, the Rotary Club of Knoxville was formed. Ten prominent Knoxville businessmen met over lunch in the Grill Room of the Cumberland Club which occupied the site at the time. It was the 181st Rotary Club to be chartered internationally and the fourth in Tennessee. Today there are over 1.2 million Rotarians in nearly 35,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries around the World. Colonel David C. Chapman had convened the group and was elected its first president. Chapman was later called "The Father of the Smokies" because of his tireless efforts at bringing the park to fruition.
Erected 2015 by Rotary Club of Knoxville.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1915.
Location. 35° 57.794′ N, 83° 55.189′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. Marker is on Walnut Street south of Clinch Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located near the sidewalk, mounted
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rudolph Ingerle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burn Memorial (about 400 feet away); Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds (about 400 feet away); Lawson McGhee Library (about 400 feet away); Knoxville's Old Custom House / Fiddlin' Bob Taylor (about 400 feet away); Grand Lodge of Tennessee (about 500 feet away); Charles Krutch (about 600 feet away); Krutch Park (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.
Also see . . . Rotary Club of Knoxville. Website homepage:
The club's earliest members included several of the visionaries responsible for the concept of our nation's most visited national park. In 1923, RCK member Willis Davis and his wife returned from visiting national parks in the Western United States asking, "Why not have a park in our mountains?" This idea inspired Col. David C. Chapman, the club's first president, and several other Knoxville Rotarians to create the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association which had a significant influence in the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: The Cumberland Club building • early 1900s
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2019
3. Rotary Club of Knoxville Marker (wide view from across Walnut Street; marker visible on left)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
