Scenic USA - Tennessee

Each day Scenic USA presents a new and interesting photo feature from somewhere in the United States. Chosen from a wide variety
of historic sites, city scenes, backcountry byways, points of interest and America's best parklands, this site offers the viewer hundreds
of unique vacation destinations and photographic subjects. Each feature is coupled with a brief explanation. For further detailed
information, links to other sites are provided, but are never to be considered an endorsement.

Old Stone Fort State Park

Old Stone Fort State Park - Tennessee

Photos by Ben Prepelka

     Providing an explanation of what lay before them, early Tennessee settlers simply called an ancient Native American ceremonial site the Old Stone Fort. Believed to be 2000 years old, the 50 acre enclosure is the largest of its kind in the South. At a narrow neck between the Duck and Little Duck rivers, paralleling mound walls point to the summer solstice sunrise. It was typical of ancient societies to recognize the height of summer, and center their rituals and ceremonies on fertility and nature's bounty.
     It wasn't until 1966 that the secrets of the Old Stone Fort were discovered. Blue Hole Falls - Duck River Led by a team from the University of Tennessee, excavations indicated the structure to be of Native American origin during the Woodland Period from 30 to 430 AD.
     Today, the mound walls, averaging four to six feet high, are covered in vegetation and earth. With walls varying in length from 1000 to 2000 feet, it's now believed the Old Stone Fort was built over a period of a few hundred years.
     The Old Stone Fort Museum (photo), built into the hillside, features exhibits of the fort's builders, archeological excavations and early Native America culture. With its ancient ceremonial ground, three powerful waterfalls, whitewater rapids and a beautiful woodland setting, the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park can be a memorable experience.

   Directions to the Old Stone Fort