You just have to visit Monroe County to see some really unusual places that were a part of the Civil War history. See more on the ultimate tour guide to exploring Monroe County. This particular state lies on a protective site under the Deep South. Every invasion that passed through Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia had to move through Tennessee.
That is why we decided to present you the new Tennessee Civil War Trails Program that will give you a fresh perspective on what happened before.
Coker Creek
“Coker Creek”
This particular warfare is in North Carolina and the Tennessee mountains. You have to understand that in those times, combat was between irregular troops on both the sides that created moments where civilized wars were not around. Understanding what happened back then is important including most of the common problems that occurred during the war, the murder of non-combatants and prisoners in cold blood.
12197 New Highway 68, Tellico Plains, TN 37385
Sweetwater Depot
Sweetwater Depot was one of the most significant transportation centers during the Civil war because of Georgia and East Tennessee. It ran through town in the beginning in 1852. In the same time, the military controlled the railroad from side to side and created different maneuvers to get control of Chattanooga and Knoxville. James Longstreet also used this particular town and track during his fight and campaign against Knoxville.
305 Main St, Sweetwater TN 37874
Tellico Iron Works
Cherokee Indians originally built it before the War of 1812, and they were acquired from Indians in 1824 by Michael Carroll and James Bradley. After some time, Elisha Johnson purchased it in 1846 to build The Mansion. The works were operational until 1864, and soon afterward, they were destroyed by Federal Army.
Tellico Iron Works is located at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center.
The Great Craighead Cave
“The Great Craighead Cave”
You absolutely must visit the mountain in East Tennessee that contains the fantastic and remarkable water body known as The Lost Sea. It is America’s largest underground lake, with a tremendous part of traditional and extensive cave system called Craighead Caverns. First, they were used by the Cherokee Indians. When settlers came to the Tennessee Valley at the beginning of the 19th century, they discovered the cave and used it for storing vegetables such as potatoes because of the ideal refrigeration system of constant 58 degrees temperature.
However, during the Civil War, the Confederates mined it for saltpeter, which was necessary for the manufacture of gunpowder. We all know about the intriguing story of Union spy who penetrated it and nearly blew it up before he was captured.
140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater TN 37874
Annual Autumn Gold Festival
You can also enjoy this particular festival that started 43 years ago. You can easily have fun with food, gold panning, music, craft displays and working artisans. You can listen to the fantastic Bluegrass music amidst countless people from all over the state who decided to come and sell their products and have fun. It is also children-friendly where they can take horseback rides and ride in free wagons.
Cherokee Heritage Fall Festival
“Cherokee Heritage Fall Festival”
If you want to see everything from the muddy banks of the Little Tennessee River to the peaks of Balsams, then Cherokee Heritage Trail is something that you should definitely check out! Even though settlers removed them from the trail of Tears in 1838, a small group remained, and they are called the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
You can celebrate the rich heritage and a lot of valuable sites that will show you their history and homeland in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. There is numerous information that you will find out about historical landmarks, folk ars, and Cherokee stories.
Conclusion
We have presented you the different approaches and interesting historical facts about Monroe County that is bound to attract any reader. These trails are a part of history, and therefore, you can find out about something that happened in the past and that we should be part of, even if we live in the modern ages. There is really no better way to understand how people lived before than to study their history right at the scene of where it first started!