6 Tennessee Spots That Pay Homage to David Crockett
David “Davy” Crockett (1786-1836) is among the most famous folks to come out of Tennessee. He’s probably best known for his raccoon-chic headgear, brown suede garb and that stuck-in-your-head tune proclaiming him to be “King of the Wild Frontier,” but his many accomplishments have made Tennessee proud.
As a frontiersman, soldier, politician, hunter and hero, Crockett served as county commissioner, justice of the peace, colonel of the militia, member of the state legislature and congressman. He died in Texas in 1836 while defending the Alamo.
Throughout the state, several places commemorate this champion of Tennessee lore. Each one has something unique to offer, whether you’re a Davy devotee or a general history buff. Read on to see what Crockett-centric gems await you.
1. David Crockett Birthplace State Park in Limestone
See the spot where it all began with a visit to David Crockett’s birthplace. He was born near what is now Limestone, Tennessee, on Aug. 17, 1786 – and the rest really is history. The state park is 105 acres dedicated to celebrating the man beneath the coonskin cap, featuring a replica of the cabin where he lived, a “living farmstead” representative of the period and a visitor’s center with exhibits telling the story of Crockett’s fascinating life.
“Crockett rose to international fame during his life. He represented the ideals of humble beginnings, hard work and charisma to his fellow countrymen,” says Joe Nowotarski, park manager. “And he could whip his weight in wildcats and jump the Mississippi in a single bound!”
Situated near the waterfalls on the Nolichucky River, the park offers 88 campsites, a playground, picnic pavilions, a gift shop and activities galore, including birding, hiking, paddling, boating and fishing.
2. David Crocket State Park in Lawrenceburg
Located in southern Middle Tennessee, this park is the site of several of Crockett’s former business undertakings: a distillery, grist mill and powder mill, which all thrived until an 1821 flood wiped them out. While living in the area, Crockett first began dabbling in politics and the military. He soon discovered that state government best suited him and was elected to the Tennessee legislature in 1821 while still keeping up with his business endeavors.
The state park that sports Crockett’s name is 1,319 acres of beautiful scenery, wildlife and nature. Follow in the frontiersman’s footsteps by enjoying the great outdoors that he adored, complete with 10-plus miles of hiking trails, limestone bluffs, forest, a bike trail, waterfalls, Lake Lindsey and Shoal Creek.
Visitors can take advantage of everything from biking to birding to boating, and there are Crockett-related exhibits and a water-powered grist mill similar to the one Crockett built. In August, the park honors Crockett with its annual David Crockett Days festival.
A bronze statue of Crockett overlooking Lawrenceburg’s Public Square memorializes the frontiersman, who helped organize Lawrence County in 1817.
See more: Davy Crockett Road Trip: 5 Tennessee Destinations Named After the Pioneer Legend
3. Camp Blount Historic Site in Fayetteville
In 1813, rebelling Native Americans of the Red Stick Creek tribe ambushed American soldiers and civilians at Fort Mims, Alabama, slaying at least 250. Government officials immediately sent out a plea for help.
Crockett was among the thousands of Tennessee soldiers and volunteers who answered the call – one of the events that led to the nickname “the Volunteer State.” They all gathered at Camp Blount under the command of Gen. Andrew Jackson before heading south to defeat the threatening tribe. Crockett saved the day by spotting a band of Creek warriors approaching, allowing reinforcements to arrive before the Creeks attacked. Later, Crockett returned to the camp once again to help Jackson rescue Mobile, Alabama, from British invasion (no, not the Beatles).
Despite fighting in the Creek War, by 1830, Crockett – now a member of Congress – emphatically disagreed with Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, stating that his opposition would “not make me ashamed in the Day of Judgment,” according to 1834’s A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett.
Over 200 years after the muster at Camp Blount, you can pay tribute to Crockett and the other volunteers at the historic site in Lincoln County.
4. Cabin Museum in Rutherford
Located in northwestern Tennessee, this cabin is an exact replica of the actual cabin where Crockett himself lived from 1822 until 1835 – the last place he called home before heading off to Texas. It’s made from logs repurposed from the original cabin and features actual furniture and artifacts from the 1800s. Crockett spent his days here hunting bears and hobnobbing with politicians during his three terms in Congress. In fact, he’s rumored to have killed 105 bears in the area – enough to carpet a modern-day three-bedroom house in bear pelts.
“Crocketteers” can visit the cabin on-site and Crockett’s mother’s grave. And beyond just facts about everyone’s favorite frontiersman, they’ll also learn about Crockett family lore and some history of the region through books, pictures and duplicates of old letters.
5. Crockett County
You know you’ve made it big when you get an entire county named after you. And so it is with one of Tennessee’s favorite natives and his namesake county in West Tennessee.
Officially founded in 1871, Crockett County is a 266-square-mile conglomerate of sections of four neighboring counties, brought together and given the Crockett moniker. The county seat and most populous city in the county is Alamo, named for the place where Crockett fought and died.
Crockett’s legacy lives on here in more than name alone. The county was founded on and still respects the values that Crockett himself had cherished, such as family, responsibility, people-first and the importance of home.
See more: Green Frog Farm Preserves Crockett County History
6. Crockett Tavern Museum
Built on the site of the boyhood home of the frontiersman, the Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The museum is a reconstruction of the 1790s tavern and inn owned by Crockett’s parents and contains artifacts from Crockett’s childhood. The museum also celebrates Crockett’s birthday annually on the second Saturday of August with a free living history event. And don’t forget to stop by the gift shop, Davy’s Trading Post, to browse the assortment of Crockett and pioneer-related items available for purchase.
These six Tennessee sites memorialize David Crockett, confirming why he’s always had such a steadfast following – even nearly 200 years after his death.
“David Crockett was one of our first heroes,” Nowotarski says. “His razor-sharp wit, coupled with self-deprecating humor and wrapped up in a hardy backwoods package, became the ideal American personality.”
If You Go ...
Camp Blount Historic Site
1124 Huntsville Highway, Fayetteville
(931) 433-2921
Crockett County
Alamo
David Crockett Birthplace State Park
1245 Davy Crockett Park Road, Limestone
(423) 257-2167
tnstateparks.com/parks/david-crockett-birthplace
David Crockett Cabin
219 N. Trenton St., Rutherford
(731) 665-7166
gibsoncountytn.com/communities/rutherford-tn
David Crockett State Park
1400 W. Gaines St., Lawrenceburg
(931) 903-2323
tnstateparks.com/parks/david-crockett
Crockett Tavern Museum
2002 Morningside Dr., Morristown
(423) 587-9900
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