Tennessee has a majestic history, one that’s rich with Civil War memories, plantation homes and country music stars. With all that history, though, comes a whole lot of legend and misunderstanding. That’s why we’re here to set the record straight – and give you 12 Tennessee trivia night-worthy facts.
- Did you know that Graceland is the third most visited home in the US?
Kees Wilenmaker - Flickr It’s only beaten out by The White House in Washington, DC and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.
- The first combination candy was created in Tennessee?
Brent Moore - Flickr It’s the ol’ GooGoo Cluster! A southern favorite, a Nashville classic.
- Have you heard of The Lost Sea?
Brent Moore - Flickr It is the largest sub-glacial lake in the US, and second largest in the entire world. Namibia’s Dragon Breath Cave is the only underground lake that beats it out.
- The first architectural firm founded by solely African-American men was welcomed to Nashville in 1905.
Shannon McGee - Flickr It is still alive and well, although the headquarters are now based in New York City. Good job, early 20th century Tennessee!
- Running since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry, broadcast from Nashville, is the longest running radio show in history.
Viv Lynch - Flickr That’s a whole lotta music, and a whole lotta folks that have had the chance to hear it.
- Do you know why we’re called the Volunteer State?
Woody Hibbard - Flickr Tennessee provided more soldiers during the Civil War than any other southern state in the Union. We had soldiers serving both in Union and Confederate troops.
- The Salt & Pepper Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the only one of its kind.
SparkySpirit - Flickr It contains 20,000 different types of household shakers.
- Greeneville, Tennessee has a pretty neat Civil War Monument.
Brent Moore - Flickr It is the only one in the United States that honors both Union AND Confederate troops.
- No, Elvis wasn’t born in Tennessee.
bonnie natko - Flickr This is a common misconception, since Tennessee was his adopted state and the place that truly grew his music career. Elvis was actually born in Tupelo, Mississippi.
- With 38 battles fought in Tennessee, only Virginia beats us when it comes to Civil War Battles.
Allen Gatham - Flickr That’s a lot of soldiers, a lot of battles.
- Country music was born in Bristol - not in Nashville.
Brent Moore - Flickr It was in 1927 that the small Tennessee town hosted the Bristol Sessions, some of the earliest country music recordings that included the Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers.
- The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park.
Doug Kerr - Flickr Which means we beat out The Grand Canyon, and even Yosemite!
Tennessee is a bit more than fried chicken, isn’t it? Here’s a unique small town in the state, if you’re looking for a southern spot to explore.
Kees Wilenmaker - Flickr
It’s only beaten out by The White House in Washington, DC and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.
Brent Moore - Flickr
It’s the ol’ GooGoo Cluster! A southern favorite, a Nashville classic.
It is the largest sub-glacial lake in the US, and second largest in the entire world. Namibia’s Dragon Breath Cave is the only underground lake that beats it out.
Shannon McGee - Flickr
It is still alive and well, although the headquarters are now based in New York City. Good job, early 20th century Tennessee!
Viv Lynch - Flickr
That’s a whole lotta music, and a whole lotta folks that have had the chance to hear it.
Woody Hibbard - Flickr
Tennessee provided more soldiers during the Civil War than any other southern state in the Union. We had soldiers serving both in Union and Confederate troops.
SparkySpirit - Flickr
It contains 20,000 different types of household shakers.
It is the only one in the United States that honors both Union AND Confederate troops.
bonnie natko - Flickr
This is a common misconception, since Tennessee was his adopted state and the place that truly grew his music career. Elvis was actually born in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Allen Gatham - Flickr
That’s a lot of soldiers, a lot of battles.
It was in 1927 that the small Tennessee town hosted the Bristol Sessions, some of the earliest country music recordings that included the Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers.
Doug Kerr - Flickr
Which means we beat out The Grand Canyon, and even Yosemite!
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