James White's Fort facts for kids
James White's Fort, also known as White's Fort, was an important settlement in the 1700s. It eventually grew into the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the United States. This fort was a key place for early settlers in the area.
Contents
Building a New Home
Who Started White's Fort?
The settlement of White's Fort began in 1786. It was founded by a man named James White. He was a brave officer in the local citizen army, called a militia, during the American Revolutionary War. He chose a good spot to build his home and fort.
How Knoxville Got Its Name
In 1791, a leader named William Blount moved the capital of the Southwest Territory to White's Fort. A territorial governor is like a leader of a new area that isn't a state yet. When he moved the capital, he decided to rename the settlement. He called it Knoxville. This name honored Henry Knox, who was a general in the American Revolutionary War. Henry Knox also served as President George Washington's secretary of war. A secretary of war was a top advisor on military matters.
What the Fort Looked Like
From Cabin to Fort
White's Fort started as a simple log cabin. This cabin was built near where State Street and Clinch Avenue are today. Over time, more strong log buildings were added around the cabin. These buildings, along with a protective fence, formed what became known as White's Fort.
The Fort Today
The original cabin later became part of a larger house built in the 1830s. Many years later, in 1906, that house was taken down. But the log cabin parts were saved! A man named Isaiah Ford bought them and moved them to a new location.
Later, in 1960, a group called the City Association of Women's Clubs bought the logs. In 1968, they carefully put the timbers back together. They rebuilt parts of the fort. Today, the fort stands on a small hill close to its first location. You can still see seven log cabins and a strong wooden fence. Inside the cabins, you can find old tools and furniture that show how pioneers lived long ago.
