Tennessee Has 32 National Historic Landmarks… But These 7 Are the Coolest

For history buffs, foodies, and music lovers, Tennessee is a haven for knowledge. This southern state boasts incredible culture and history, landing 32 official national historic landmarks! These landmarks cover a wide variety of topics. From war to Elvis, Tennessee landmarks are educational and totally interesting.

If you’re planning a trip to Tennessee or a local trying to dive deeper into Tennessee’s history and culture, you’ll want to be sure to hit some of these national historic landmarks. While there are 32 in total, we will look at seven of the coolest! Let’s dive in!

1. Beale Street Historic District

For music lovers, the Beale Street Historic District is an absolute must-see national historic landmark in Tennessee. Beale Street is located in Memphis, the birthplace of the blues. Beale Street is celebrated for its impact on African American culture and music. It was a place where folks came together to create art, and the entire country benefitted from the Beale Street blues scene.

2. Graceland

Another important music-related national historic landmark in Tennessee is Graceland. Graceland was the home of Elvis Presley from 1957 to 1777, and it’s an important part of American music history. Elvis was a renowned American musician whose presence in the music scene altered rock, gospel, and country for years to come. Graceland is one of the more recently dedicated historic landmarks, officially recognized on March 27, 2006. If you’re a music lover, be sure to take a trip over to Graceland.

3. Moccasin Bend Archeological District

This district is located in Chattanooga, TN, and it’s a wonderful place to learn about the Native American history of the region. See artifacts from all sorts of historical periods, dating back to the 16th century. You’ll also be able to explore some of the preservation from the Civil War Battle of Chattanooga. Overall, the Moccasin Bend Archeological District is a wonderful place to learn about Tennessee’s history.

4. Rhea County Courthouse

If you want to learn about Tennessee’s political history, you’ll definitely want to stop by the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, TN. This courthouse is a national historic landmark of Tennessee because of its relation to the trial of State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes. This 1925 trial revolved around high school teacher John T. Scopes teaching Charles Darwin’s theories in public schools. It was a pivotal case analyzing the impact of religion in public school institutions. This courthouse became a landmark on December 8, 1976, and is a powerful representation of American educational ideals.

5. Fort Pillow

During the Civil War, Tennessee was a part of the Confederation. Fort Pillow is a site that represents the harm caused to Black Americans during the Civil War. The Battle of Fort Pillow took place on April 1864, and substantial amounts of Black Union soldiers were killed during the fight. The battle was thought of as a massacre, and Fort Pillow became a battle cry for Black soldiers. This landmark is located in Henning, TN, and gained its national historic landmark designation on May 30, 1974. Today, it remains a powerful reminder of the lives lost during the Civil War.

6. Chucalissa Site

Another archaeological landmark is located in Memphis, TN: the Chucalissa Site. The Chucalissa Site is an archeological mound that contains remnants of the Walls phase of the Mississippian period. That means that historical materials from the 15th century are present on this site. Check out the region’s history and learn about the long-preserved remains in Memphis.

7. X-10 Reactor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Finally, if you’re a science lover, head to over to the X-10 Graphite Reactor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Designated on December 21, 1965, this national historic landmark is a celebration of some of the significant scientific discoveries that have taken place in the state of Tennessee. This is the main atomic research facility in the US, and the laboratory was home to the world’s second artificial nuclear reactor. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is located in Oak Ridge, TN, and the facility was built during the Manhattan Project of the Second World War.

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