Rocky Top in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Militia Hill
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017
1. Militia Hill Marker
Inscription.
Militia Hill. . Fort Anderson was built here on Militia Hill in January 1892 as a base for the Tennessee National Guard to protect convict laborers and restore order. Hostilities escalated with as many as 2500 miners from Tennessee and Kentucky participating in the Coal Creek War.
In retaliation, troops fired on the town of Coal Creek (now Lake City), as can be seen through the Wye Gap in Walden Ridge to the east. Soldiers remained here until late 1893 when the state legislature appropriated funds to build Brushy Mountain State Prison, thus ending the convict lease system in Tennessee.
Fort Anderson was built here on Militia Hill in January 1892 as a base for the Tennessee National Guard to protect convict laborers and restore order. Hostilities escalated with as many as 2500 miners from Tennessee and Kentucky participating in the Coal Creek War.
In retaliation, troops fired on the town of Coal Creek (now Lake City), as can be seen through the Wye Gap in Walden Ridge to the east. Soldiers remained here until late 1893 when the state legislature appropriated funds to build Brushy Mountain State Prison, thus ending the convict lease system in Tennessee.
Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 36° 12.883′ N, 84° 10.017′ W. Marker is in Rocky Top, Tennessee, in Anderson County. Marker is on Vowell Mountain Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City TN 37769, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Coal Creek War. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017
2. Militia Hill Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse
3. Militia Hill
1892 view from Militia Hill overlooking the town of Coal Creek (later Lake City, now Rocky Top) during the Coal Creek War.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017
4. Fort Anderson on Militia Hill
Cannon overlooking Rocky Top (formerly Coal Creek / Lake City), Tennessee.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017
5. Fort Anderson on Militia Hill
The National Register of Historic Places.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 574 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.