T. O. Fuller State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids T.O. Fuller State Park |
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T.O. Fuller State Park Memphis TN
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| Type | Tennessee State Park |
| Location | Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee |
| Area | 1,138 acres (461 ha) |
| Operated by | TDEC |
| Website | T.O. Fuller State Park |
T.O. Fuller State Park is a special state park located in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. It covers about 1,138 acres (461 ha) of mostly forest. This park is the only state park found within the city limits of Memphis. It is a great place for wildlife to live and thrive.
The park is named after Dr. Thomas O. Fuller. He was a very important person who spent his life helping and teaching African Americans. The park was built during the Great Depression by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It was one of the first state parks in the USA that was open for African Americans to enjoy.
History of T.O. Fuller State Park
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) started building the park in 1938. This CCC group, known as camp number 1464-SP-10, was made up of African American workers. While they were digging for a new swimming pool in 1940, they found something amazing. They uncovered signs of a very old village from prehistoric times.
This discovery led to the creation of the Chucalissa Indian Village. Today, it is a special place where you can see a preserved village and learn about ancient history. It also includes the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa.
What Can You Do at the Park?
T.O. Fuller State Park has many fun things to do. You can have a picnic in one of the sheltered areas. There are also tennis courts, basketball courts, and a softball field. If you like to hike, there are six miles (10 km) of trails to explore. You can also go camping there.
The park has a nature center that is open in the summer. At the nature center, you can see exhibits about local plants and animals. They also offer special programs to teach you more about nature.
Discovering Ancient History at Chucalissa
As mentioned, workers building T.O. Fuller State Park found Native American artifacts in 1938. This site is now known as Chucalissa. The University of Tennessee began digging at this ancient site in 1940. They found a Mississippian mound complex, which means there were large mounds built by ancient people.
Work at Chucalissa stopped during World War II. But it started again in 1955. Today, the University of Memphis runs the site. It helps people understand archaeology and learn about the history of Native Americans.
In 1994, Chucalissa was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States.
