City history
A city shaped by the frontier spirit of the Southwest Territory and the enduring rhythms of East Tennessee history.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"City of Knox"
A specific indigenous name for the site is not reliably documented; the city was established in 1791 and named after Henry Knox.
Named for Henry Knox
Established as the capital of the Southwest Territory by William Blount.
Chapter two
Knoxville transitioned from local solar time to the standardized time system established by railroad companies to ensure synchronized transportation across the United States.
Knoxville began observing Daylight Saving Time as part of the permanent federal regulation of seasonal time shifts in the United States.
Chapter three
William Blount established Knoxville as the capital of the Southwest Territory, marking its official beginning as a formal settlement in 1791.
Knoxville became a strategically vital location during the American Civil War, seeing significant military occupation and intense regional combat.
The establishment of Knoxville College provided vital higher education opportunities for African American students within the Tennessee region.
The early 20th century saw significant infrastructure development and population growth as the city expanded its urban footprint.