Market Square in Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Market Square
Photographed by David Rozzelle, July 30, 2026
1. Market Square Marker
Market Square originated in 1853 on land donated by civic leaders William Swan and Joseph Mabry. The city of Knoxville built a brick Market House in 1854, replacing it with a three-story complex in 1897. It also held City Hall and police and fire stations. It became a thriving farmers market and commercial hub where visitors found both local produce and exotic imports. In 1863, Union forces seized the Market House for storing ammunition and housing troops. By the 1880s, many businesses such as butchers, blacksmiths, saloons, and Kern's Bakery surrounded the Market House. In 1900 a journalist called Market Square "the most democratic place on Earth" due to the diversity of its daily visitors.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1E 138.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 35° 57.904′ N, 83° 55.17′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is in Market Square. It is at the intersection of Union Avenue and Union Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Union Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Market Square, Knoxville TN 37902, 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Agee (within shouting distance of this marker); Market House Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Krutch Park (within shouting distance of this marker); David Madden (within shouting distance of this marker); Cormac McCarthy (within shouting distance of this marker); Elvis Presley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Catherine Wiley (about 300 feet away); Adolph Simon Ochs (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Knoxville's Market House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by David Rozzelle, July 30, 2026
2. Market Square Marker facing north.
Photographed by David Rozzelle, July 30, 2026
3. Market Square Marker facing south.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2026, by David Rozzelle of Knoxville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2026, by David Rozzelle of Knoxville, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
