FACTS ABOUT KNOXVILLE

Did you know?

• Knoxville was settled in 1791 and established in 1792.  The city of Knoxville was incorporated in 1815.
• Knoxville was named after Henry Knox, President Washington’s War Secretary.
• McGhee Tyson Airport is named in honor of Knoxville native and fighter pilot Lt. Charles McGhee Tyson who was shot down over Britain’s North Sea in WWI.
• The first train arrived in Knoxville in 1855.
• Knoxville is headquarters of the Tennessee Valley Authority.  TVA was created in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help create jobs, attract manufacturing, and provide electricity for all.
• Seven lakes surround Knoxville: Cherokee, Douglas, Ft. Loudon, Melton Hill, Norris, Watts Bar and Tellico.
• Places Rated Almanac Millennium Edition rated Knoxville #13 in its overall ranking of best cities to reside, for both US and Canada.
• The University of Tennessee is located in Knoxville with over 27,000 students.
• Knoxville was home to the 1982 World’s Fair.  Knoxville was the smallest city ever to host it.
• The Sunsphere, built in 1982 World’s Fair, is 266 feet tall and has 26 stories.  The actual ball itself houses  five levels.
• Petro’s Chili and Chips made their debut at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville.
• Every Labor Day Knoxville residents are treated to the largest fireworks display in the Southeast - Boomsday!
• Smoky Mountains National Park is located within 45 minutes of Knoxville.
• Knoxville is home to cable TV’s HGTV, which is one of the fastest growing networks in cable history with nearly 84 million households in less than nine years.
• The corporate headquarters of Bush Brothers, Goody’s Family Clothing, Petro’s Chili and Pilot Corporation are located in Knoxville.
• Knoxville is home to UT Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt, the first woman in NCAA Basketball history to win over 800 games.

HIGHLIGHTS

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