Fort Craig

Maryville, Tennessee. In rambling about the Maryville Greenway, there is a true historic spot on the path. It is the site of Fort Craig. There seems to be little to no remains of the fort itself, just a monument that has been erected. But it was pretty amazing to just be wandering along and stumble upon it. It seems like it should be mentioned in its own right.

---

• LOCATION:
• Latitude: 35.758374
• Longitude: -83.966925
• The Maryville Greenway, off of Washington Street, behind the Camber of Commerce
• On Pistol Creek
  

• A LITTLE HISTORY:
• The fort was built in 1785 to protect settlers from Indian attacks. (1)
  
• This was a wooden palisade owned by Revolutionary War Veteran John Craig. He then donated 50 acres of land for the creation of the city of Maryville. (2)
• It was originally referred to as Craig's Station. (3)
• The fort of about 280 people once held off 500 Indian attackers and forced their retreat. (3)
• The citizens of the fort asked that this land not be part of Knox county, but be a county onto its own and Blount county came into being. (3)
  

• CURRENT USAGE: Greenway, Memorial
  

• REFERENCE
1. www.blountweb.com
2. www.answers.com/topic/maryville-tennessee
3. www.blountcountyvoice.com
   

The Greenway

Maryville and Alcoa, Tennessee. In thinking about how I could participate in Blog Action Day's theme of environmental issues, what immediately came to mind was to introduce you (for those of you not familiar) to the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway. It is a beautiful connection of parks and green spaces that runs between the two cities. It is a great example of what cities can do to beautify their lands and keep green a color in their environments.

I actually shot this last week, during a bout with a cold. What I realized very quickly as I experienced the landscape with an aesthetic consciousness, I had no cold, no nose, no pockets full of tissues. I was not alone. I was not with any one else. I just was.

---

• MAP:

• A LITTLE HISTORY:
• This is a cooperative effort between two cities in Blount County Tennessee.
• The Maryville Portion was completed in 1998. (1)
• It is 15 miles long. (2)
  

• CURRENT USAGE: Parks, Bike and Walking Trail, and Fitness Trail
  

• REFERENCE:
• www.maryvillegov.com
• www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov