Knox/Blount Greenway History

Henry Knox was the former Secretary of War in President Washington’s Cabinet. Knoxville and Knox County derive their names from this man.

William Blount’s career played a great role in influencing the development of Knoxville and the state of Tennessee. While governor of the Southwest Territory in 1792, Blount built the Blount Mansion in Knoxville. The mansion today is a National Historic Landmark.

Henry Knox was William Blount’s immediate superior in all issues dealing with Native American affairs. By having the new city named Knoxville, Blount hoped to interest Knox in its welfare.

Blount was the first U.S. Senator to be expelled from the Senate and the only Senator expelled outside of the Civil War.

Blount County, Tennessee is named after Blount. Grainger County, Tennessee and Maryville, Tennessee are both named after his wife, Mary Grainger Blount. William Blount High School, William Blount Middle School, and Mary Blount Elementary School are named after Blount and his wife. Blount County, Alabama is named after his younger half-brother Willie Blount, former Governor of Tennessee. Raleigh, North Carolina has a street named after Blount going though the center of its downtown.

Blount was the father of William Grainger Blount (1784-1827), Tennessee State Representative and U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1815-1819. He was brother to Thomas Blount (1759-1812), Revolutionary War veteran and U.S. Representative from North Carolina in 1793-1799, 1805-1809, and 1811-1812.