Knoxville, named after Washington’s Secretary of War, Henry Knox, began life as a frontier outpost after the Revolutionary War. Bordered by huge lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville offers some eclectic sightseeing. A stroll through the World’s Fair Park leads to the Knoxville Museum of Art, while Blount Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, was the 1792 frame house of governor William Blount. Nearby, the James White Fort still exhibits portions of the original stockade built in 1786 by Knoxville’s founder.
The Farmer’s Market, 24km (15 miles) from the downtown area, offers an authentic taste of Appalachia. The pavilion sells local produce, plants, jams, jellies, arts and crafts. The Museum of Appalachia, in Norris, is a huge village replete with authentic houses, barns and cells.