Marble Springs, Historic governor residence in Knox County, Tennessee, United States
Marble Springs is a residential property spanning over 30 acres of woodland, featuring a main cabin, smokehouse, and several other historic buildings dating from the 1800s. The structures show how a prominent family lived and managed their household during Tennessee's early years.
John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee, settled on this property in 1790 and lived there until 1815 while serving multiple terms as governor. His time there coincided with the state's growth from a frontier region into an established commonwealth.
The place is named after natural springs that flow year-round, which were essential to the early settlers who lived here. This connection to the land shaped how people understood frontier survival and self-sufficiency in early Tennessee.
The site welcomes visitors year-round with guided tours and educational programs that help you understand how a pioneer farm operated. Access is straightforward, and the grounds have areas where you can spend a half day or longer exploring.
The spring that gave the property its name flows continuously regardless of seasons or dry periods, and this reliable water source is precisely why the location was chosen for settlement. This steady water supply allowed the family to remain self-sufficient in ways that many other frontier households could not.
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