Chilhowee Park, Public park and fairgrounds in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Chilhowee Park is an 81-acre space in Knoxville with exhibition halls, a raised stage for performances, and a lake for water activities. The grounds include picnic spots and walking paths that wind through different sections of the property.
The site was originally a dairy farm that became a pleasure ground in 1875, complete with dance halls and natural springs. In the early 1900s, the location drew major national leaders who came to speak about economic matters.
This space hosted gatherings that brought together people from across the region to discuss industry and progress. Visitors came to see how the South was reshaping itself in the early 1900s.
The park is open year-round and provides ample parking along with accessible routes for visitors of all mobility levels. Well-maintained paths make it easy to explore the grounds and enjoy activities both on land and in the water.
The park had a complex past regarding access and segregation in the early 1900s that visitors rarely hear about today. For many years, a single August date was the only day Black visitors were permitted to enter, highlighting the stark inequalities of that era.
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