Knoxville was founded in 1786 and is the third-largest city in the United States, following Memphis and Nashville. Knoxville remains the largest city in East Tennessee. The city of Knoxville is one of Tennessee's four major cities, and is the second oldest in the state. In 1796, Knoxville was the state's first capital, after Tennessee's admission into the Union. Knoxville was named in honor of the Henry Knox, first Secretary of War. Knoxville is most acclaimed for its historical war monuments. The home of James White, a revolutionary War officer’s hand built fort still stands for visitors in Knoxville, along with the Statue revealing the signing of the Treaty of the Holston in Downtown Knoxville, and the Site of Fort Dickerson in South Knoxville. For information on more monuments or to find some good southern cooking, searching a business directory can help visitors find their way.
Knoxville hosts a land rich in with arts, representing various festivals throughout the year. The city’s contributions to bluegrass, oldies and country music are wide; starting at the Everly Brothers and ending with Hank Williams, who wished to pass there. For the past few years, the award-winning listener-funded radio station, WDVX, broadcasts weekday concerts of old-time music and bluegrass from the Knoxville Visitor's Center on Gay Street. To discover more venues around Gay Street, it’s easy to search online through the Tennessee yellow pages.
Today Knoxville is governed by a City Council, including a mayor and nine-members. They still meet every Tuesdayat 7 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. They use a strong mayor-council system of governing. The Knoxville Zoo is a place those of all ages can enjoy; continuing to celebrate the joyous natural wonders of world.