Fort Blount, Military archaeological site near Cumberland River, Tennessee
Fort Blount is a military archaeological site on elevated ground overlooking the Cumberland River in Tennessee, with excavated foundations revealing the original layout from the 1790s. Multiple structures were uncovered through systematic digs that documented the compound's organization.
The fort was built in 1794 and served as a federal outpost until 1798 along Avery's Trace. It protected travelers and merchants moving between Knoxville and Nashville during this period.
The excavations reveal how soldiers lived and worked at this remote frontier outpost, showing the day-to-day realities of military life in this isolated location.
The site is accessible via Smith's Bend Road, which intersects Tennessee State Highway 53, with Gainesboro nearby as a reference point. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and limited on-site facilities.
A French botanist discovered the American yellowwood tree during a visit in 1796, adding botanical significance to this military location. This unexpected discovery links the site's military history with scientific exploration.
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