A lot of historical value.... but very small token of such a huge memorial to our historical…read morepast.... A must if you are in the area Tony and I visited this site in April 2014, and I had to bring my daughter Noel back here today, June 8th, Sunday to see a part of our PAST as Americans...I love history and I love sharing history and I am so very pleased that my daughter enjoys the history like I do...This is something we share deeply, a true bond..Our love for travel and history...I know that ONCE I am no longer on this earth, she will continue to travel and enjoy...and hopefully every time she sees something AMAZING with her eyes, she thinks of ME... Some history of the site: Monterey is a town in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,850 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cookeville, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, Monterey was a resort town that boasted seven hotels and drew summer people who came to enjoy the cool temperatures and mountain scenery. With the invention of the automobile, Monterey became less of a resort town. The hotels closed and the town's economy became dependent on railroad maintenance, coal mining, and logging. Standing Stone Monument The Standing Stone was a 13-foot (4.0 m)-tall rock that once stood upright on a sandstone ledge in the area. It was the legendary boundary between Cherokee and Shawnee territory and marked the Cherokee Tallonteeskee Trail. The 8-foot (2.4 m) remnant of this stone is preserved in Monterey, where a Standing Stone Celebration of Native American Heritage is held each October. If you are in the area, check it out !!!

Well worth the trip! The majestic stone stands in beautiful Monterey TN. This is a definite bucket…read morelist item. It was well worth the drive. Do not miss it!

Andrew gave us a great tour! So much to see and many interesting facts! The guys working there…read moreenjoyed telling us information as much as we enjoyed hearing them. There were artifacts donated from all over the world. We will go back again to see things that I'm sure we missed!

Small museum with history buffs showing you around. We spent a couple of hours as there was so much…read moreto see.

This historical marker is located in the westbound I-40 rest area near Crossville. It is not far…read morefrom the restrooms and vending machines building, so there's plenty of parking so that you can appreciate the history as you stretch your legs. The marker has the same texdt on both sides, reading "In 1817, John Kemmer purchased land here and built Kemmer Stand, a wayside inn, at the intersection of Burke Road. It was two-story, two-section structure that housed many travelers traversing the Cumberland Plateau. At the crest of this hill lies Walton or Great Stage Road. Built in 1800, it was the first federal road across the Plateau." It is marker number 2C-20 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. [Review 1208 of 2024 - 523 in Tennessee - 22231 overall]

Today was amazing! We went to see a castle right here in Tennessee! Floyd "Junior" Banks built the…read morecastle out in Loudon County TN called the Greenback Castle or Fortress of Faith. He dedicated this castle to the Lord and encourages everyone to come out and see it for themselves. He never charges a fee to visit, but donations are very much appreciated. He was excited to meet us and take us for a tour. He is a fascinating gentleman with some really interesting stories. He built the castle himself with donated items over the past 30 years and still works on it. Junior told us he never used a level or measuring device, God guides him. He lives in a house nearby on the many acres of property. I highly recommend touring this incredible castle (AT YOUR OWN RISK) and spending some time listening to Junior. I immediately went on Amazon and bought 2 of his books because he was so intriguing. Fortress of Faith: Art, Science, and Divine Intervention at the Greenback Castle What In Another World Is Going On At The Greenback Castle?

(Not a restaurant) If you love the bizarre and unique visit…read morethe Greenback Castle. A retired old gentleman built this "art project " over 30+ years. And loves to greet people and explain the (mostly religious) meaning of all displays. Fun, weird, unique!

The Cravens House is a historic landmark on Lookout Mountain, known for its role in the Civil War…read moreand its sweeping views. Built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, a Chattanooga industrialist, it originally served as his summer retreat. During the Civil War, the house became a headquarters and observation point for both Union and Confederate forces, playing a key role in the famous "Battle Above the Clouds." The original structure was destroyed during the war, but Cravens later rebuilt it. Today, the house is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, offering visitors a glimpse into the past as well as access to scenic hiking trails.

If you love history, views, and hidden gems, you have to visit Cravens House on Lookout Mountain in…read moreChattanooga, Tennessee. This place is absolutely fascinating -- it's the oldest surviving home on the mountain, built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, and it literally sat in the middle of the Battle Above the Clouds during the Civil War. It's wild to think this quiet, peaceful spot was once the site of major fighting, and yet the house still stands today! The home is part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, and the rangers do a fantastic job explaining the history and significance of the area. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the surrounding trails -- especially the Cravens-to-Sunset Rock hike -- offer some of the best views in all of Chattanooga. Even if you're not a huge history buff, the mix of scenery, storytelling, and atmosphere makes this a really special stop. It's calm, educational, and surprisingly moving to walk where history actually happened. Highly recommend adding this to your Chattanooga itinerary -- it's a five-star experience all around! https://linktr.ee/reessroots

Tony and I was out driving on the backroads of Tennessee, after we left Fall Creek Falls State…read morePark. We entered the town of Pikeville, TN and had lunch and decided to explore and found this historical home. There was not much information there about the home on signs, so when I got home I had to look it up. I found a little bit of history about it. History: This two-story 1815 home next to the courthouse in Pikeville, TN was owned by John Bidgeman. Bridgeman was a local civic and business leader who outfitted a company of Confederate infantry from Bledsoe County. A federal-style house built in 1815, the John Bridgman House was one of the earliest dwellings in Pikeville. John Bridgeman was the founder of Pikeville and named the town after his home in North Carolina, Pike. The land that the John Bridgman house sits on is part of the original 30 acres purchased in 1816 to establish the city of Pikeville. The house was sold in 1992 to the First National Bank of Pikeville who helped restore it to its original glory. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 24, 1993. John migrated to Tennessee about 1811. Military records show that John joined the East Tennessee Militia at Washington, Rhea County, Tennessee during the War of 1812, where he served as a Sergeant. He was discharged May 14, 1814 after serving four months and eleven days. John was in Campbell County, Tennessee in December 1815, when he gave a power of attorney to collect any payments due him for his military service. John married Lavenia Cox at Bridgman's Mill, in Knox County, Tennessee John settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, where he appeared in the Bledsoe County court records in 1818, as a Commissioner for the town of Pikeville. Court records indicate that John bought and sold thousands of acres of land between the years 1818 and 1847. He also bought and sold a number of slaves between 1821 and 1837. John was elected to the House of Representatives for Bledsoe County, for the 13th General Assembly in 1819-1821

Gorgeous brick building. Spooky brick building. I'm fascinated by this brick and mortar landmark of…read morethe temperance movement. Harriman was originally a planned alcohol-free city that would set an example for the nation. Built in 1891, this was actually the main hall, Temperance Hall, for the American Temperance University. I mean, could you imagine the entrance essay required for admissions? Teehee. Okay, all jokes aside this building is in very good shape on the outside. I love the stone arch entryway. And the turrets are super cool. After it closed the building became a jail and now serves as a museum/offices holding a host of archives. To the locals, it's the coolest building for Christmas lighting. Its all locked up for safety as it get's renovated. but you can still peer inside the windows and see a lot. You like ghost stories? All I remember is...I'm taking pics and next thing you know I get this very bad feeling. VERY VERY VERY BAD FEELING. Like in a sixth sense kind of way. Like someone or something is following me. Total goosebumps. Feels like someone inside waiting to zombie attack me. I think I stepped a little too close to the window. Or maybe they don't want their picture taken? Holy beejezus I ran away from this building like a wee little girl. Days later I did a little research. Turns out there's a huge following that his place is haunted. Was featured in several ghost hunter publications. Check it out. Or don't. Me? I prefer to sleep at night. If I still can. That was WAY too real.

I love historical places, and I have been drawn to this place each time I've driven by. It was…read moreempty for a long while, then purchased, restored and made into a B&B. I googled it, and saw on Zillow about a year ago it was purchased once again, maybe now a beautiful home for someone. The house bones need a family! The Wheatland Plantation grew wheat thus the name. Wheatlands, was established as a family farm by Revolutionary War veteran Timothy Chandler in 1791. Wheatlands had become one of the largest plantations in the county. Measuring 4,600 acres the farm produced oats, sweet potatoes, hogs, cattle, wool, and distilled 18,000 gallons of whiskey a year from its immense wheat crop. Wheatlands is an antebellum plantation in Sevier County, Tennessee. And is the location of the revolutionary war site "The Battle of Boyd's Creek." The present day plantation house was occupied during the Civil War as a field house and winter camp. There is a graveyard in the back yard. Still at the site are the Federal-style, three-story brick home that was built in 1825 as well as the separate kitchen and dining building to the rear, a loom building and a smokehouse. When the overgrown seven-acre property was recently cleared of years of overgrowth, they found Cedar Spring and a pond it feeds, the slave cemetery near Boyds Creek and the mound where it is believed that Cherokees were buried who were killed by John Sevier on his way back from King's Mountain. An archaeological team also found the thick stone floor of a shed that was believed to have held the distillery product. Also it is noted of many hauntings. One of the most famous ghosts of Wheatlands Plantation is Granny Jane, a former slave who allegedly practiced voodoo. Her spirit is said to protect the house from intruders, often making her presence known to those who mean harm. Another well-known ghost is Lucy, a young girl who died tragically on the plantation grounds. Lucy is often seen playing near the house, her laughter echoing in the air. Other spirits include a Civil War soldier, whose ghost roams the grounds, and several children who appear in old-fashioned clothing, playing games from a bygone era. Furthermore, each of these spirits has a story that adds depth to the haunted plantation's eerie charm.

Thanks to Google Maps (and my thorough trip itinerary planning), I had discovered the historic…read more(once a) "ghost town" of Elkmont. For America's most visited national park, it can be difficult to escape the crowds within the Great Smoky Mountains--yet Elkmont is one place to do just that! This Little River Valley was once home to a pioneer Appalachian community, a logging town, and later a resort community. To this day, old relics and abandoned buildings from the past remain--awaiting to be explored. The area was settled in the 1840s as the town of Little River when a logging company was formed. A railroad was later constructed to transport timber for the Little River Lumber Company. This eventually allowed the wealthy from Knoxville to visit what eventually became a resort town. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was was established in 1934, residents were given the option to sell their homes at full price and relocate, or sell to the National Park Service (NPS) for a discounted price allowing them to live there until they become deceased. By 1992, most of the homes remained vacant or with expired leases leading 70+ historic buildings into a state of deterioration. Thankfully the NPS decided to renovate and preserve 19 buildings in Elkmont for public visitation. You can now find the Elkmont Historic District with cabins along Jakes Creek Road that were completed around 1997. They attempted to keep the buildings in the closest original condition--even their exterior paint colors! Each cabin has information about the tenants and any unique features. Unfortunately, the cabins cannot be brought up to code for renting or staying inside. However, the largest lodge known as the Appalachian Club is available as an event venue. Continue to explore the Old Elkmont Cemetery up a rocky road near the beginning of Elkmont Road, or choose to hike the Jakes Creek or Little River Trails where you will venture past less discovered old chimneys, walls and tractors that still remain. Directions: Coming from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge or Cherokee, turn to go west on Fighting Creek Gap Road toward Cade's Cove (turn off near the Sugarlands Visitor Center). After the Laurel Falls trailhead, watch for signs to Elkmont Campground. Follow Elkmont Road all the way til it becomes a loop drive at Jakes Creek Trail Trailhead.

Pretty neat location. Reminded us of a place back home that is still a resort for the wealthy…read more Warning to others who visit, make sure to stop at Sugarlands Visitor Center and get your park tag before going. We were hoping to hike more of the area but didn't know we needed a park tag for our vehicle