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Historic Park

• The Capitol Building was built between 1845 and 1859. William Strickland the architect died in 1854 and is buried in the Wall of the Capitol. During the Civil War, the Capitol was used as a fort. The Union Soldiers called it: Fort Andrew Johnson.
  
• Zero Mile Marker: This is the point that all state mile markers are zeroed from.
  
• Eight Small Granite Maps
  
  1. Topography: It is easy to see why Tennessee has three grand divisions. West Tennessee is flat and has delta type terrain. Middle Tennessee is rocky and hilly. East Tennessee is Mountainous. That is why we have the three stars on the flag.
  2. Music: This map shows that Tennessee is noted not only for Country Western, but blues, jazz, rock, gospel and many types of music.
  3. Parks: Anywhere you travel in Tennessee, you are within thirty minutes of a state or national park.
  4. Populations: You can see how Tennessee's populations are centered across Tennessee.
  5. Trails: You notice that not only Indian Trails and pioneer trails are identified, but also Interstates since they are part of our modern day trails.
  6. This map is a copy of the best map available in 1796 when Tennessee became a state.
  7. The Missippian Indians were in the region until approximately 1450. Then the Shawnee came in from the North, the Chickasaw from the West, the Cherokee from the East and the Creek from the South
  8. The Geology map shows the foundation of Tennessee. The area of Middle Tennessee shows Ordivician Limestone. Ordivician is soft and porous and is noted for having caves and sinkholes. During World War II, Middle Tennessee was selected for the largest War Games in the history of man due to our geology and topography.

• The Big map is granite and is designed to scale. 12 inches is equal to 2½ miles.
  
• The Railroad trestle is the location that trains have traveled since 1859 and were an important strategic point during the War Between the States.
  
• The River Walk has 31 fountains, one for each major river in Tennessee.
  
• Eight small flags on each side makes a total of 16 and that represents the fact that Tennessee is the 16th State. The two big flags represent Tennessee's two hundredth birthday. Our American flag is on top of the Capitol.
  
• McNairy Spring is on top of the sulphur spring that fed the Old French Lick Creek. Greenway is on top of the Creek.
  
• Carillons have ninety-five bells, one for each county.
  
• Planters each represent East, Middle and West Tennessee.
  
• Time Capsules will be opened on June 1, our three-hundredth birthday.