The Lost State of FranklinThe Lost State of Franklin
When the men and women of the Holston and Watauga settlements petitioned for admission to the United States as a new state named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, they were
Category: The Appalachian Frontier
The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia BeanThe First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean
Nearly twenty years before Tennessee was a state, William Bean built a cabin along the Watagua River and planted roots. In this episode, we tell the story of his journey
The Dunkards of Appalachia: A Story of Faith and SurvivalThe Dunkards of Appalachia: A Story of Faith and Survival
In this episode of the Stories podcast, we journey back to the mid-1700s to uncover the story of the Schwartzenau Brethren, also known as the Dunkards, who established one of
Dr. Thomas Walker Sets Off On His First Expedition West – March 6, 1750Dr. Thomas Walker Sets Off On His First Expedition West – March 6, 1750
When people think of the early exploration of Kentucky, Daniel Boone is the first name that comes to mind. However, nearly two decades before Boone’s arrival, Dr. Thomas Walker, a
The Battle of Kings MountainThe Battle of Kings Mountain
Today, we tell the remarkable story of the Overmountain men, Appalachian frontiersmen from the far western parts of North Carolina and Virginia. As tensions escalated in the South, these settlers
Revenge on the Frontier: The Tragic Tale of Old Tassel and the Kirk Family MassacreRevenge on the Frontier: The Tragic Tale of Old Tassel and the Kirk Family Massacre
Old Tassel, a prominent figure among the Overhill Cherokee, was a staunch advocate for peace during a period of conflict between them and the settlers moving into East Tennessee. Despite
On This Day in 1789: The Start of Tennessee’s Journey to StatehoodOn This Day in 1789: The Start of Tennessee’s Journey to Statehood
On December 22, 1789, North Carolina took a historic step by ceding its six westernmost counties—Washington, Sullivan, Greene, Davidson, Sumner, Hawkins, and Tennessee—to the federal government. These counties were organized