Knox County

Knox County is an administrative unit in eastern Tennessee where two rivers meet to form the Tennessee River. The landscape shows ridges along the boundaries and wide valleys at the center, with wooded hills between town and countryside.

The governor founded this administrative unit in 1792, only months after Tennessee joined the Union. Quarries developed into a driving economic force during the 19th century, with extraction for public buildings throughout the country.

The name honors Henry Knox, who led American artillery during the War of Independence. His role in crossing mountains with cannons during winter 1775 secured him a place in national memory.

Most facilities sit in the western and central areas, while eastern sections remain thinly settled. Local roads connect smaller towns with the main seat, with travel times ranging from 20 minutes to an hour depending on your starting point.

The pale pink limestone extracted from local quarries adorns numerous government buildings, including sections of the Capitol in Washington. This stone continues to be quarried and polished today, with its warm tint setting it apart from grayer varieties.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: June 11, 1792

Capital city: Knoxville

Shares border with: Union County, Blount County, Grainger County, Jefferson County, Sevier County, Loudon County, Roane County, Anderson County

Website: http://knoxcounty.org

GPS coordinates: 35.99000,-83.94000

Latest update: December 16, 2025 08:09