What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 4pm Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

James White's Fort

Name: James White's Fort
Address: 205 E. Hill Avenue, Downtown Knoxville, TN, 37915, US
Telephone: +18655256514
Price range: $

The Fort was restored and opened to the public in 1970 through the efforts of the City Association of Women’s Clubs.

James White, The Founder of Knoxville, came here in the early 1780′s from North Carolina. He had fought in the Revolutionary War and was given a land grant of 1,000 acres for his service. He built his 2-story log house on the present site of Knoxville in 1786. Two years later he enclosed the house and other buildings with a stockade fence for protection from the wild animals. James White was a fri

end of the Cherokee Indians. He negotiated several of their treaties with the settlers and they came to his home in peace and to trade with him. The courtyard of the Fort was used as a stable for the domesticated animals such as horses, cows, pigs and sheep. The area around the Fort would have been cleared of trees, and the vegetable gardens along with tobacco would be grown there. James White laid off part of his land in October 1791 to establish a town which would become known as Knoxville, named for Henry Knox, president Washington’s Secretary of War. Sixty-four lots were laid off in 16 blocks, each lot being one half acre in size. The cost was $8.00 per lot and a lottery drawing was held to assign the lots. James White continued to live in his Fort until early 1793 when he moved upriver to another home near the present site of the South Knoxville Bridge. In later life he was promoted to a General in the War of 1812 and continued to be a guiding force in the development of Knoxville. He gave land for the First Presbyterian Church and cemetery in Knoxville and also for the establishment of Blount College, which would later become the University of Tennessee. He died at his home in 1821 and is buried beside his wife Mary Lawson White at First Presbyterian.

05/09/2026

Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

05/04/2026

This Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm

04/14/2026

This Saturday, 9:00 am till 1:00 pm. Treasures & Thrift Market. If you want a booth to sell your items give us a call at the fort - 865 525 6414

04/08/2026

Saturday April 18th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Come find what you can’t live without. If you want to set up a booth, call the Fort at 865-525-6514.

03/21/2026

TODAY 9:00 - 1:00

03/19/2026

Make your Saturday plans to visit our Treasures & Thrift Market, 9:00am until 1:00pm

03/17/2026

This Saturday, 9:00 am till 1:00 pm. Treasures & Thrift Market. If you want a booth to sell your items give us a call at the fort.

03/07/2026

March 21, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Explore our inaugural Treasures and Thrift Market in the Fort's parking lot and uncover must-have items.

03/03/2026

Come check out our first Treasures and Thrift Market on Saturday, March 21st, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at James White's Fort parking lot.

10/22/2025

Knoxville’s oldest Ghost Tour!

10/18/2025

Step into the unknown with the oldest Ghost Story Walking Tour in Knoxville! October 23rd and 28th are your dates. Call 865-525-6514 for info and to secure your spot!

Address

205 E. Hill Avenue
Downtown Knoxville, TN
37915

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18655256514

Website

http://www.JamesWhitesFort.org/

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