Sweetwater and Fort Loudoun, TN
The boys had just under a week for their winter break, so I decided that we would take just an overnight trip as our vacation outing. We settled on going to Sweetwater, TN because it is the town where the Lost Sea Underground caverns and lake are and it sounded like a fun destination. It is only 2 hours from our house and there appeared to be more things to do in the area.
When we arrived, we went to the visitor’s center which gave us some ideas for lunch and dinner, and also made us realize that there was a fort nearby to visit. We first had lunch, then did a little shopping in the small downtown area: there were several antique shops and a little shopping area with different boutique booths.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Area and Fort
Fort Loundoun was an early British fortification built in 1756 during the French and Indian war. The present day fort is a reconstructed fort (the original fort having been destroyed after its surrender to the Cherokee in 1960) that was rebuilt during the Great Depression. It then became a Tennessee state park in 1977. The fort overlooks the Tellico Reservoir and Appalachian mountains as well as the ruins of the blockhouse.
We enjoyed our self guided visit as the park was opened till sundown and we were at leisure. The location is really pretty with the views of the water and mountains and there were enough placards for us to read and understand the site.
Since we arrived after the visitor center was closed, we were unable to watch the 15 minute video explaining the history of the site. We still enjoyed our time there and I am glad we took the time to stop by.
There are several reenactments and events held at the fort/historic site several times a year. It would be a nice time to come back and visit!
A bientôt!
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18 Comments
Kathrine Eldridge
What a cool place to visit! I’ve seen a couple of forts in the US. Seeing a reenactment would be amazing.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
mimifce
Yes, I never have been to a reenactment but I think the whole family would love it.
Joanne
That sounds fun. My boys typically enjoy touring forts too.
mimifce
Yes, it’s always fun!
jodie
I bet there are a lot of forts and such in those areas…that’s where everyone was until they headed West for gold, LOL
Love that you find such fun places to go.
XOXO
Jodie
mimifce
And it was not that far from home! I really need to look at see what else there is in that part of Tennessee: there were 2 places we could have stopped on the way home if we had had more time.
Laura B
I had to go look up Lost Sea Underground caverns and it looks so amazing! If we ever pass through, it would be a great thing to see! Good to know there are other things in the area, too!
mimifce
Yes, there were some other things we could have done if we had more time.
Nancy
Looks like a place we also would love to visit!
mimifce
Yes! So many places to explore…
Jennifer
This looks so cool!
Jennifer
https://curatedbyjennifer.com
mimifce
It’s a really interesting area!
nicole orriens
This sounds like a lovely place to visit! And I love the name ‘Sweetwater’.
mimifce
I wonder now where the name came from.
Thistles and Kiwis
Looks like a really interesting place to visit.
mimifce
It was!
Leslie Susan Clingan
PC would enjoy visiting this fort. We will have to remember it for our next trip to Tennessee. I haven’t thought of Sweetwater in years. Had a college friend from Sweetwater. Don’t think I have ever been there. My sister mentioned this activity to me today. https://www.railexplorers.net/locations/bluegrass Have you ever done this? Looks like some kind of railway experience. Might be fun for the summer.
mimifce
I have not but they have one in Blue Ridge which is about 1 1/2 hour from me. I have thought about doing it.