Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Watauga Fort

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

1. Watauga Fort Marker

Inscription. 400 yards northward and ½ mile northeast of the mouth of Gap Creek, stood Watauga Fort. Here, July 21, 1776, the settlers under Captain James Robertson repulsed the Cherokees under Old Abraham of Chilhowee, and Lt. John Sevier rescued “Bonny Kate” Sherrell.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1776.

Location. 36° 20.645′ N, 82° 15.088′ W. Marker is in Elizabethton, Tennessee, in Carter County. It is on West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is along the entrance way into the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site, approximately 325 feet from West Elk Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1651 West Elk Avenue, Elizabethton TN 37643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

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,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga (here, next to this marker); The Tipton Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Watauga Purchase (within shouting distance of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker); Transylvania Purchase (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to the Spirit of the Overmountain Men (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); David Crockett (about 400 feet away); John Crockett: Frontier Ranger (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethton.

More about this marker. Watauga Fort is also identified as Fort Watauga or Fort Caswell in various publications.

Also see . . . TN State Parks: Sycamore Shoals State Park: Historic Park. Sycamore Shoals played a significant role in 18th-Century history as the setting for some of the most dramatic events to occur in the expansion of America's western boundary. (Submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Wide view of the Watauga Fort Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

2. Wide view of the Watauga Fort Marker

The marker stands to the left of the Transylvania Purchase marker on the grounds of the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

Watauga Fort Marker at its new location along the entrance way to Sycamore Shoals Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

3. Watauga Fort Marker at its new location along the entrance way to Sycamore Shoals Park

Visitors Center in the distance in the background

Watauga Fort recreation inside Sycamore Shoals State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

4. Watauga Fort recreation inside Sycamore Shoals State Park

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,506 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.