Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

James White

Founder of Knoxville

Photographed by Michael Manning, May 9, 2014

1. James White Marker

Inscription. Erected the city's first dwelling in this block in 1786. White's Fort was later constructed to surround the house. Knoxville was named for Henry Knox, Washington's Secretary of War, and was chosen by Governor William Blount as capital of the territory of the United States south of the Ohio River in 1790-91

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 35° 57.77′ N, 83° 54.722′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is on Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Drive north of East Hill Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the exterior wall of James White's Fort Historic Site across the street from the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 E Hill Ave, Knoxville TN 37915, 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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: Charles Krutch (within shouting distance of this marker); Beauford Delaney (within shouting distance of this marker); Ruth Valeria Cobb Brice (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Earl O'Dell Henry (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Earl O'Dell Henry (about 700 feet away); Chisholm Tavern

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Chisolm's Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blount Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Also see . . .
1. The History of James White's Fort. (Submitted on June 12, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Southwest Territory. Information about the Territory South of the River Ohio, also known as the Southwest Territory. (Submitted on June 12, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 31, 2018

2. James White Marker

Marker is on the second building from the left.

Photographed by Michael Manning, May 9, 2014

3. James White Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 809 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on August 22, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. 2. submitted on June 12, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on August 22, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.