Knoxville

by John W. Barber & Henry Howe

~~ As published in Barber & Howe ~~
Barber, John W., and Howe, Henry.  All the Western States and Territories, from the Alleghenies to the Pacific, and from the Lakes to the Gulf, Containing Their History from the Earliest Times, with Local History, Incidents of Pioneer Life, Military Events, Biographical Sketches; combined with full Geographical Descriptions of the different States, Territories, Cities, and Towns; the whole being illustrated by 240 Engravings, presenting views of the Cities and Principal Towns, Public Buildings and Monuments, Battle Fields, Historic Localities, Natural Curiosities, etc., principally from drawings taken on the spot by the Authors.  Cincinnati, Ohio:  Howe's Subscription Book Concern, 1867, pp. 631-632.

South-western View of Knoxville
South-western view of Knoxville.
The view shows the appearance of Knoxville, descending the hill on the old country road in front of the University. Part of Cumberland-street is seen on the left; Main-street on the right; the Cupola of the Court House in the central part; Hampden Sidney Academy on the extreme left; the Female Institute on the right.

     Knoxville is situated on the north bank of Holston River, 4 miles below the junction of the French Broad River, 185 miles east from Nashville, and 214 from Lexington, Ky.  It is quite a flourishing place, a central point of intersection of all the treat railroads of the country, east, west, north and south.  Fine marble quarries and iron ore abound in this section, and beds of bituminous coal on the line of the railroads.  The river is navigable downward for steamboats at all seasons, and in the spring some 30 or 40 miles above to Dandridge.

     Few places possess such a variety of scenery as can be found within the limits of Knoxville, exhibiting on the banks of the Holston the wild and picturesque beauty of nature, the hills and valleys of the cultivated country, the manufacturing village, and the features of the city.  Knoxville contains six churches, the county buildings, of which the jail, a castellated building, makes a striking appearance, the University buildings, and the State Deaf and Dumb Asylum.  Population about 9,000.  East Tennessee College, or University, is located on a commanding eminence, upward of 200 feet high, and about half a mile from the court house.  This institution was founded in 1792.

     Knoxville was first laid out by Gen. James White, the first patentee.  East Knoxville was laid out by Moses White, his son, and at first was called Mechanicsburg.  The west end of the town was laid out by Col. John Williams, and was for some time called Williamsburg.  Gov. Blount's residence was on Barbara Hill, where the University buildings now stand.  The hill received its name from Barbara, the daughter of the governor, who was born on its summit.  The Presbyterian church was the first house of worship erected in the place, Rev. Wm. Carrick the first minister.  Dr. Strong, the first physician, was previously a surgeon on board the U. S. frigate Constitution.  John Crosier [Crozier], it is believed, was the first post-master.

     The Hon. Hugh L. White, U. S. senator, who died in 1840, was the son of Gen. White.  Robert Huston was the first sheriff, and Robert Armstrong the first surveyor.  John Hood was the first, or one of the first printers in Knoxville; he printed the Knoxville Gazette.
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