Ten Tennessee Trivia Tidbits

The Tennessee State Flag

The Great State of Tennessee is well known for many things including:  The Smoky Mountains, Dollywood, Elvis Presley, White Water Rafting and the best scenery this side of the Mississippi River.  There are a few other facts about Tennessee that you might not be aware of.  Here are Ten Tennessee Trivia Tidbits for your reading pleasure:

According to the "Guinness Book of World Records” the Lost Sea in Sweetwater is the largest underground lake in the United States.  I think it’s time for us to check it out since it isn’t far from us.  Find out more about the Lost Sea – clickhere.

The Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Lots of states have aquariums, but Chattanooga, Tennessee is home to the largest fresh water aquarium.  It is quite a popular tourist attraction and one of the main reasons tourists flock to the Scenic City other than Rock City and Ruby Falls.

Davy Crockett was not ‘born on a mountain top in Tennessee’ as the song says and as many believe to be true.  He was, however, born near the banks of Limestone Creek near Greenville, Tennessee.

Bristol, Tennessee is known as the birthplace of Country Music – not Nashville as one might assume!  I bet there are some who will argue this point!  In case you are wondering, yes, there is also a Bristol, Virginia.  The two Bristols meet at the VA/TN state line.

Elvis Presley's home, Graceland in Memphis is the second most visited house in the country.  Any guesses as to which ‘house’ is the most visited? Hint:  It’s not the White House! 

Cast Iron pots and pans have made a huge resurgence among cooks young and old.  Lodge Cast Iron is produced in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.  There is a cornbread festival held in South Pittsburg every year.  Cornbread cooked in cast iron – of course!

You know the coffee commercial that says, “Good ‘till the last drop” – Maxwell House didn’t come up with that phrase.  Teddy Roosevelt did in 1907 when he was handed a cup of Maxwell House coffee and those words came out of his mouth!

How many states border Tennessee?  The answer is 8 and they are:  Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Kentucky.  The only other state with that many bordering states is Missouri.

The State Bird is the mockingbird and the State Flower is the Iris. The State Gem is the Tennessee River pearl…yes; it is a pearl from a fresh water muscles.  The first time I heard about Tennessee Pearls I thought it was a joke, but it is true.

Tennessee has a lot of Native American roots and that is evident in how Tennessee got its name.  The word Tennessee means “The Meeting Place” in Yucki Native American (Tana-see).

So now that you know these Ten Tennessee Trivia Tidbits, why don’t you come on down and visit – it’s a great meeting place for sure!  Maybe I’ll run into you at the Lost Sea or Graceland!

Photo: http://pixabay.com/en/flag-tennessee-state-red-white-28559/

Photo:  http://pixabay.com/en/tennessee-smoky-mountains-landscape-68745/