Tennessee, The Volunteer State

TENNESSEE claimed its statehood June 1, 1796. The nickname Volunteer State was given to Tennessee during the War of 1812 when 1,500 volunteer soldiers joined General Andrew Jackson in New Orleans and defeated the British. The nickname became more renowned when Tennesseans fought at the Alamo with Tennessee frontiersman and Congressman, Davy Crockett. Today the state’s population is over 6.9 million. Tennessee has 95 counties and three grand divisions: Middle, East, and West Tennessee which are each represented on the state flag with a white star.

In MIDDLE TENNESSEE, Nashville is the capital and the largest city, with 715,800 residents. Known as Music City, Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry, the longest running live radio program in the world. Nashville is known for all genres of music including country, bluegrass, rock ’n’ roll, and the blues, performed live in the city’s downtown honky tonks. Several music museums are located downtown including the National Museum of African American Music, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and museums spotlighting industry giants like Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline.

In EAST TENNESSEE you can climb to the state’s highest point, 6,643 feet, at Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokies is the most visited national park in the U.S. with no entrance fee. Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee and is home to the University of Tennessee. Nearby is the city of Oak Ridge, once known as the “secret city” where the first atomic bomb was built in 1943.

In UPPER EAST TENNESSEE, about 300 miles east of Nashville, is the city of Bristol, home to NASCAR Bristol Motor Speedway.

Chattanooga is in the SOUTHEASTERN part of the state and is home to the Tennessee Aquarium, the 13-mile paved Riverwalk, and the Tennessee River, which snakes near downtown. Chattanooga is chock-full of Civil War history, and the Chattamuaga and Chattanooga National Military Parks are the perfect places to explore.

Known for barbecue, the blues, and rock ‘n’ roll music, Memphis is the prominent city in WEST TENNESSEE. Key landmarks are Graceland (home of Elvis Presley) and Beale Street where B.B. King once performed. The longest pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River is located here, linking downtown Memphis and Arkansas.

Trip planning guides can be found at tnvacation.com.

Photo: TN Tourism Photo: TN Tourism

Photo: TN Tourism