Swaggerty Blockhouse

Swaggerty Blockhouse is a three-story structure with different functions on each level, built from oak timber and stone. The ground floor contains a spring house for water and cooling, the middle section served as living quarters, and the top level functions as a cantilever-style grain storage.

The building was long believed to be a 1787 frontier fort built by James Swaggerty, but excavations revealed it was actually constructed around 1860 by farmer Jacob Stephens. The site shows how frontier settlement stories can be reshaped by new archaeological discoveries.

The building reflects how farmers in East Tennessee adapted their homes to serve multiple purposes from defense to storage. Walking through, you see the combination of living space with practical areas for grain and equipment.

The site sits along U.S. Routes 321 and 411 near Clear Creek, making it accessible along a major road. Informational markers on location explain the building's architectural details and archaeological significance.

Archaeological digs uncovered artifacts from between 1852 and 1864 showing evidence of butchering and food storage activities. These finds reveal the building was not just a home but also a working center for meat processing and preservation that supplied the household and possibly the local market.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 36.01306,-83.07111

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:45