Manchester in Coffee County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Eastern "Gateway"
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 28, 2025
1. The Eastern "Gateway" Marker
The mound walls forming the outer perimeter of the enclosure approach each other here and swell into terminal mounds. The "gateway" feature includes the opening between the outer walls, a ditch across the opening, and detached, in-turned, parallel mound walls. When complete, the parallel walls projected over 150 feet within the enclosure.
The summer solstice sunrise aligns to within one degree of the orientation of the parallel mounds. The builders of the Old Stone Fort likely used this feature as a setting for ceremonial activities that reflected the changing of seasons and the use of seasonal resources. While we may never know the exact nature of the ceremonial significance, the archaeological evidence indicates that the Old Stone Fort was set apart as a special place and an important gathering place for people along the Duck River for at least 500 years.
Charles Faulkner, The Old Stone Fort, Exploring an Archaeological Mystery
Erected by Tennessee State Parks. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment
this page online
Location. 35° 29.145′ N, 86° 6.216′ W. Marker is in Manchester, Tennessee, in Coffee County. It can be reached from Stone Fort Drive near U.S. 41, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester TN 37355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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 Enclosed Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Stone Fort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Wonders on the Frontier (about 300 feet away); Geographic Setting of The Old Stone Fort (about 300 feet away); The Bark Camp Fork or Little Duck River (about 400 feet away); Manchester Powder Mill (about 600 feet away); The Old Stone Fort and the Stone Fort Paper Co. (about 800 feet away); The Mound Walls Meet the Cliffs (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manchester.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 28, 2025
2. The Eastern "Gateway" Marker
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 28, 2025
3. The Eastern "Gateway" Marker
The two terminal mounds of the wall that turn into the opening. The ditch is between the terminal mounds and from where this photo was taken.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
