Tennessee is a wildly varied state, one that ranges from the very beginnings of our great country and gives our history a depth unlike any other. We found some quirky facts from our illustrious past, but the real question is – what do YOU know? Any tidbits you have to share? Take a look, and let us know.
- That crazy way Jack Daniel died
Leslie / Flickr It is recorded that Jack Daniel (as in the whiskey) died due to a blood infection contracted after he kicked a safe in anger. The resulting injury ended up being his downfall.
- Mile high Mountain Dew claims
Thomas Hawk / Flickr Knoxville is said to be the birthplace of Mountain Dew, created as a whiskey mixer back during the Depression Era.
- The eerie end to Meriwether Lewis
Scott Lipsey / Flickr Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark fame, was found dead on the Natchez Trace. The question as to whether his grisly death was a murder or suicide has plagued historians for years.
- Thank Tennessee for your candy bars
Brent Moore / Flickr If you love Kit-Kat bars, Snickers or any other combination candy bar, you better thank the very first that was created in 1912. The absolutely decadent GooGoo Cluster!
- Don’t try stealing a horse in Tennessee
jdj150 / Flickr Why, you ask? It’s still written into state law that you can be hung for your crimes.
- Ever wonder where the world’s shortest highway tunnel is located?
pfly / Flickr It’s in Shady Valley, and is known as Backbone Rock. The tunnel is cut out of 75-feet of hard stone and is only a few feet long.
- The largest private land purchase in history was made in Tennessee
Dave / Flickr Known as the Transylvania Purchase, this neat historical tidbit will get your financial mind spinning.
- There are some weird claims to Coca-Cola
Jeff Krause / Flickr Tennessee may not have been the first place to bottle the popular soft drink, but they WERE the first to purchase the rights - in Chattanooga for a solid $1.
- Andrew Johnson - a most epic over-achiever
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr President Johnson has held every single elective office at local, state and federal levels. That? Is insane.
- The Copper Basin is out of this world - seriously
Wikipedia Did you know you can see it from space? Because you totally can.
- The first female senator, Hattie Caraway, was born in Tennessee
Wikipedia That is something us ladies need to be proud of, don’t you think?
- The capital that couldn’t
Steve / Flickr Capital for a day, Kingston had a sparkling day of fame on September 21, 1807. Rock on, East Tennessee! We see you.
Okay, folks. Tell us your favorite Tennessee history thoughts below, and maybe even tag a friend. We want to hear all about this gorgeous state!
Leslie / Flickr
It is recorded that Jack Daniel (as in the whiskey) died due to a blood infection contracted after he kicked a safe in anger. The resulting injury ended up being his downfall.
Thomas Hawk / Flickr
Knoxville is said to be the birthplace of Mountain Dew, created as a whiskey mixer back during the Depression Era.
Scott Lipsey / Flickr
Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark fame, was found dead on the Natchez Trace. The question as to whether his grisly death was a murder or suicide has plagued historians for years.
Brent Moore / Flickr
If you love Kit-Kat bars, Snickers or any other combination candy bar, you better thank the very first that was created in 1912. The absolutely decadent GooGoo Cluster!
jdj150 / Flickr
Why, you ask? It’s still written into state law that you can be hung for your crimes.
pfly / Flickr
It’s in Shady Valley, and is known as Backbone Rock. The tunnel is cut out of 75-feet of hard stone and is only a few feet long.
Dave / Flickr
Known as the Transylvania Purchase, this neat historical tidbit will get your financial mind spinning.
Jeff Krause / Flickr
Tennessee may not have been the first place to bottle the popular soft drink, but they WERE the first to purchase the rights - in Chattanooga for a solid $1.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
President Johnson has held every single elective office at local, state and federal levels. That? Is insane.
Wikipedia
Did you know you can see it from space? Because you totally can.
That is something us ladies need to be proud of, don’t you think?
Steve / Flickr
Capital for a day, Kingston had a sparkling day of fame on September 21, 1807. Rock on, East Tennessee! We see you.
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