Alcoa in Blount County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Babcock Lumber & Land Company and the Vose Community

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 2022

1. Babcock Lumber & Land Company and the Vose Community Marker

Inscription. In 1916, the Babcock Lumber & Land Company acquired 350 acres along Pistol Creek where saw and planing mills were constructed to process lumber the Company was timbering in Monroe County. At the time, Babcock was the nation's leading producer of hardwood lumber. The Company also built approximately 200 homes for its workers along the “tree streets” named for Babcock's products: Oak, Maple, Poplar, Birch, and others. This community was named Vose, after the maiden name of the Babcocks' mother. C. L. Babcock, head of the local operations, served as the City of Alcoa's first mayor from 1919 to 1925.

Captions (counterclockwise from top left)
• Babcock Lumber & Land Company.
• Left: The Company constructed a two-story club house/dormitory which included recreational facilities and living quarters. It was located across the street to the right of the bridge. A commissary was located to the left of the bridge across Edison Street.
• Right: The Babcock lumber mill is shown c. 1920. Today the City's City Service Center is located on the property.
• Above: An artist's rendering of Babcock Lumber & Land Company. Right: C. L.

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Babcock, Alcoa's first mayor, is pictured at the Company's timber operations at Tellico Plains.

Erected by City of Alcoa • Arconic Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, City of Alcoa series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 35° 47.484′ N, 83° 58.219′ W. Marker is in Alcoa, Tennessee, in Blount County. It is at the intersection of North Wright Road and East Edison Street on North Wright Road. Marker is on the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway at the intersection's southeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alcoa TN 37701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee,

in the Great Smoky Mountains,

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,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 2022

2. Babcock Lumber & Land Company and the Vose Community Marker

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alcoa's First Fire Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Nicely's Grocery Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Duck Pond and Lily Pond (approx. 0.4 miles away); Springbrook Pool (approx. 0.4 miles away); The West Plant / A Plant and A Community (approx. 0.6 miles away); Early Springbrook Home Construction (approx. 0.6 miles away); Early Alcoa High School Athletics (approx. 0.6 miles away); Springbrook School (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alcoa.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.