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Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park
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Davy Crockett's Birthplace has been preserved by the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as an historic site within the state park system. The site consists of 105 partially wooded acres of land along the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee.
Camping:
The park has 74 campground sites that have water and electricity hookups with 25 of the sites having sewer hookups. The RV campsites can accommodate any size RV. Small tents may be put up beside the RV's. The campground is located near the beautiful Nolichucky River. A swimming pool and a playground are located adjacent to the camping area..
Campsites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Campers should register at the park campground office. Campground office is open from 2:00 pm until 7:00pm daily during the camping season.
A large picnic pavilion is located in the campground and is used exclusively by registered campers.
Directions:
From the North-Take Interstate 81 to Exit 23 (11E) and travel 27 miles to the park signs located on the highway.
From the South-Take Interstate 81 to Exit 57A (Interstate 181). Take the Boones Creek Exit/Jonesborough to Boones Creek Highway to 11E in Jonesborough. Travel south on 11E and follow signs to the park entrance. The park is approximately 27 miles from Exit 57A.
Museum:
The museum at the park contains exhibits, which tell of the different aspects of the life of Davy Crockett. Visitors can learn a lot about Crockett the hunter, the politician, the businessman and the legendary hero as portrayed in the Walt Disney movie of the 1950's. A short video about Davy Crockett can be viewed in the museum during business hours. In addition to the museum, a cabin replica is a short walking distance from the museum. The cabin depicts a typical frontier cabin much like the one in which Davy Crockett was born in 1786. Located in front of the cabin is the engraved footstone to the original cabin. After visiting the museum and cabin, the visitor can look for his or her own home states' natural stone incorporated in the Crockett monument wall.
Special Events:
Crockett Days is held in August. Call the park for more special events information.
Swimming:
The park's swimming pool is open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-August. A wading pool is available for small children.
A lifeguard is on duty during open hours.
Fishing:
The Nolichucky River arises from mountain streams in Western North Carolina and Northeast Tennessee. Fishing is one of the recreational opportunities offered by the Nolichucky River. Several species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redeye and catfish are regularly taken using a variety of artificial lures and natural bait. A Tennessee fishing license or temporary fishing permit is necessary to fish in the river.
There is a public boat launching ramp. Small boats may be carried through the park to access the river.
Picnic Facilities:
The picnic area at Davy Crockett Birthplace is located on the banks of the Nolichucky River. Visitors can picnic and enjoy fishing for the abundant species found in the Nolichucky. Field sports are regularly played in the fields close to the picnic area. The Crockett Cabin and monument are located just above the picnic area within easy walking distance.
There are three picnic pavilions, two of which can be reserved by the public.
RESERVED PAVILIONS:
There are two picnic pavilions which can be reserved by the public. A fee is charged to make a reservation. Pavilions are equipped with grills and water spigots. Restrooms are within easy walking distance.
If a pavilion is not reserved, it may be used on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Historic Park:
Davy Crockett, the celebrated hero, warrior and backwoods statesman, was born on the banks of the romantic Nolichucky River near the mouth of Limestone Creek, which today lies about three and one-half miles off 11E Highway near Limestone, Tennessee.
Best known for the words, Be sure you're right and then go ahead, Davy was respected for his honesty and sincerity. It was those values that have made him a hero to many people today.
Amidst the Crockett craze of the 1950's, when Fess Parker portrayed Davy Crockett in the King of the Wild Frontier series, the Davy Crockett Birthplace Association built and furnished a log cabin, a representation of the one Crockett was born in. The Association developed the area into a park, which contained 3 acres of land.
In 1973, the Davy Crockett Birthplace Association presented the park to the State of Tennessee. Deteriorating conditions and new research indicating historical inaccuracies in the first reconstruction were leading factors in the decision by the Department to dismantle and rebuild it again. Today, the new cabin reconstruction stands in the park reflecting the type of frontier home Davy Crockett would have most likely lived in during his early years.
In 1976, additional land was purchased for the park, which consists of a campground, hiking trail and a site for the Park Manager's residence.
Encased in stone in front of the cabin is an engraved marker reported to have been the footstone of the original cabin. Engraving of the marker is documented to have taken place at or about the time of the 100th birthday celebration of Davy Crockett in 1886.
Located near the cabin is a monument erected in the late 1960's by the Ruritan Club in memory of Davy Crockett. Owing to Crockett's stature as a national hero, each of the 50 states is represented in the wall of the monument. Stones native to each state are incorporated in the monument wall and engraved in the respective state's name.
Davy Crockett stands for the spirit of the American Frontier. As a young man, he was a crafty Indian fighter and hunter. When he was 49 years old, he died a hero's death at the Alamo, helping Texas win independence from Mexico. For many years, he was nationally known as a political representative of the frontier.
Davy's grandfather came to North Carolina from Rogersville, Tennessee. While his older sons were away with the Revolutionary Army at King's Mountain, the grandfather, his wife, and family at home were killed by the Creek Indians.
John, Davy's father, soon moved to Greene County, where Davy was born at the confluence of Limestone Creek and the Nolichucky River. While Davy was young (probably 5 or 6 years) his father moved the family to Cove Creek in Greene County, Tennessee, where he built a mill in partnership with Thomas Galbreath. The mill was washed away with his home. After this disaster, John Crockett moved his family to Jefferson County where he built and operated a log-cabin tavern in the Knoxville-Abingdon Road. While Davy lived there he spent four days at the school of Benjamin Kitchen. He had a fight with a boy at school and left home to escape a licking from his dad.
He got a job helping to drive cattle to Virginia. In Virginia, he worked for farmers, wagoners and a hatmaker. After two and one-half years, he returned home, now being 15 years of age and approaching six feet in height. In those days a boy either worked for his father or turned over his pay, if he worked for others. Upon promise of his freedom from this obligation, Davy worked a year for men to whom his father owed money. He often borrowed his employer's rifle and soon became an expert marksman.
The son of Davy's employer conducted a school nearby to which, for six months, Davy went four days a week and worked two. Except for the four days he had attended school when he was twelve, this was all the schooling Davy ever had.
In March, 1836, Davy Crockett, with 139 others, was massacred at the Alamo. Usually in battles, someone is left to tell the story, but the Alamo had no one. One hundred and eight-seven men for 11 days withstood the Mexican army of the despot, Santa Anna. When the battle was done, all of the 186 brave Americans, including Davy Crockett, lay dead on the ground; but with them also lay over 2,000 Mexicans who had died at their hands.
Other Points of Interest:
- Home of Andrew Johnson in Greeneville, TN
- Tipton Haynes Historic Site
- Jonesborough, oldest township in TN and home of National Storytelling Festival
- Rocky Mount Historic site in Johnson City
Roads in the park are accessible to tour buses.
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