Charles Krutch Park nearby is a fascinating story. It is named for a photographer who worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He lived into his 90’s, invested wisely and when he died, gave Knoxville $1.3 million to develop a park downtown.
Since UT is home of their successful women’s basketball teams, it was only fitting that the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame displays show the evolution of the women’s game from the early modest uniforms to the WNBA. UT Coach Pat Summit wasn’t there to greet us. Our loss.
In downtown Knoxville, the Mast General Store explodes before your eyes in 19th Century splendor. The wooden floors creak with history as you stroll the first floor and basement, Colorful hard candy displays
catch your eye.
Our tour was entitled, Culture Shock. For someone who is remembering vague threads from 1956, this a visit that showed much has evolved.
But the highlight was the Knoxville Symphony. They did Beethoven’s Ninth, complete with a 100-voice chorus and four opera singers. It was performed in the beautifully restored Tennessee Theatre.
But the Theatre is a diverse venue. Jackson Browne was due on May 6.
Unfortunately. I couldn’t make it.
Additional Sites in Knoxville
The Knoxville Zoo – has a natural habitat for black bears. Offers an opportunity to touch a rhino. One is trained to accept touch from a human. www.knoxvillezoo.org
Volunteer Princess – A 96-foot yacht that cruises the Tennessee River Good way to see Knoxville from the water looking in. It can carry 149 for those wanting to host a big tailgate party We passed Neyland Stadium on our sunset cruise www.VolunteerPrincess.com.
WDVX Blue Plate Special – You thought live broadcasts with a real audience and live musicians was a relic of the past, think again WDVX Knoxville FM station broadcasts daily from the Knoxville Visitor Center. Music covers the gambit from bluegrass to country to swing to blues. www.WDVX.com
Charles Krutch Park nearby is a fascinating story. It is named for a photographer who worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He lived into his 90’s, invested wisely and when he died, gave Knoxville $1.3 million to develop a park downtown. In downtown Knoxville, the Mast General Store explodes before your eyes in 19th Century splendor. The wooden floors creak with history as you stroll the first floor and basement, Colorful hard candy displays catch your eye.
Since UT is home of their successful women’s basketball teams, it was only fitting that the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame displays show the evolution of the women’s game from the early modest uniforms to the WNBA. UT Coach Pat Summit wasn’t there to greet us. Our loss.
Mast claims they sell everything. If they don’t have it. it probably doesn’t exist. Cribs to Caskets, though I didn’t see the latter. One area that is a feature offering is camping gear, a good thing to know for those heading for the nearby Smokey’s www.mastgeneralstore.com
Our tour was entitled, Culture Shock. For someone who is remembering vague threads from 1956, this a visit that showed much has evolved.
But the highlight was the Knoxville Symphony. They did Beethoven’s Ninth, complete with a 100-voice chorus and four opera singers. It was performed in the beautifully restored Tennessee Theatre.
But the Theatre is a diverse venue. Jackson Browne was due on May 6.
Unfortunately. I couldn’t make it.
Additional Sites in Knoxville
The Knoxville Zoo – has a natural habitat for black bears. Offers an opportunity to touch a rhino. One is trained to accept touch from a human. www.knoxvillezoo.org
Volunteer Princess – A 96-foot yacht that cruises the Tennessee River Good way to see Knoxville from the water looking in. It can carry 149 for those wanting to host a big tailgate party We passed Neyland Stadium on our sunset cruise www.VolunteerPrincess.com.
WDVX Blue Plate Special – You thought live broadcasts with a real audience and live musicians was a relic of the past, think again WDVX Knoxville FM station broadcasts daily from the Knoxville Visitor Center. Music covers the gambit from bluegrass to country to swing to blues. www.WDVX.com
The Last Time I Saw Knoxville
By Dan Millott
In September, 1956, the Delta Delta chapter of Delta Tau Delta fraternity at the University of Tennessee had some small problems, small in the number of members.
So a group of brothers from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, caravanned down US25W to Knoxville to help their UT brothers. The weather was nice and I played bridge with a couple of good-looking Pi Phi women. Thought about transferring, but didn’t.
After that the memories are vague, except I was impressed with the consistency of gothic architecture at UT and a condition that prevailed at the time ---Knox County was dry. For those who wanted a drink, there was a routine: drive down a selected street, place a $10 bill on a stump, drive around the block again and what would my wandering eyes find? A bottle of libation.
Now nearly 55 years later. my eyes find a vibrant place. There is nightlife, there is culture notably a world-class symphony orchestra, and there are all kinds of history, not only in Knoxville, but the entire East Tennessee region.
East Tennessee, including Knoxville, was very divided on the Civil War. On my April, 2011 visit the historic term brother vs. brother was used. That meant a house divided.
There was some thought in East Tennessee that they might want to secede from the rest of the state. The “East’s” prevailing view was pro- union, Republican and anti-slavery. In fact one congressional district, the First, has always voted Republican going back to 1860.
Throughout Knoxville one can find historic mansions with ties to the region’s history. The Mabry-Hazen House, www.mabryhazen.com still containing original artifacts, once served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate armies. Ah, more proof of the house divided!
The Armstrong-Lockett House sits high above the Tennessee River. A multi-tier formal garden descends toward the river below. In April, the dogwoods and redbuds are in bloom, but the tulips won’t be denied.
When I was visiting, they were setting up for a wedding. Probably for a granddaughter of one of those Pi Phis.
As mentioned, the dry sign has vanished from Knoxville so class eateries like Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant are available to discerning diners.
In the market square area, there are a number of bars and restaurants.
One spot. Patrick Sullivan’s, looked like it might be Knoxville’s answer to Cheers, but, alas, it had a past – it was once a brothel.
In late April. It’s time for the Dogwood Art’s Festival. Artisans set up their tents and offer their creations for sale. Their tents crowd Market Square and food and entertainment fill in around the arts and crafts
Home of the daily WDVX Blue Plate Special
The Mabry-Hazen House
