Grainger County: Tomato Festival, Lake and History
Accommodation in Grainger County
Grainger County brings together a variety of reasons to visit: an annual tomato festival, Cherokee Lake, river activities and historic buildings. You can plan your stay around a seasonal event or focus on nature and history. Someone looking to experience the festival will plan differently from someone primarily interested in river activities or the region’s architecture.
The Tomato Festival as a Seasonal Event
The Grainger County Tomato Festival takes place annually on the last weekend in July. It is a free July event featuring food, entertainment and tomatoes from Grainger County. Tomatoes from the county and a specific time of year are thus at the heart of the festival. The exact festival dates may vary from year to year; if you are planning your trip around the festival, check the dates for that year.
Cherokee Lake and Grainger County Park
Cherokee Lake covers 29,000 acres of water and has a 400-mile shoreline. Grainger County Park, a 93-acre park, is located on the lake. These provide different points of reference: one describes a specific park area, while the others describe the lake’s water area and shoreline.
Walks, Birdwatching and River Activities
Walks and birdwatching are possible along Buffalo Creek in the Buffalo Springs Wildlife Management Area; morning birdwatching is also one of the activities available there. The Clinch River offers canoeing and kayaking along Grainger County’s northern border. Fly-fishing is possible on the Holston River below Cherokee Dam. The activities are distinct: Buffalo Creek combines walks with nature observation, the Clinch is for paddling, and fly-fishing is possible on the Holston. You can choose the focus of your trip based on the activity that interests you.
Building History and Architecture
In Rutledge, the Nance Building is one of the few surviving buildings from the period before the American Civil War. The Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church marks a different era: it was built around 1890 and is the oldest surviving African American church building in Grainger County. Its timber framing consists of wood originally used in the construction of the county courthouse in 1801. The chapel’s construction date is thus linked to building materials used considerably earlier.
The Cynthia Lea House adds Gothic Revival architecture to the picture. It is the only identified example of this style in Grainger County and is privately owned. The Nance Building, Henderson Chapel and Cynthia Lea House each represent different historical and architectural aspects; the information about their construction dates, preservation and styles can be attributed to specific buildings.
A Trail Through Time
A Trail Through Time expands the focus from individual sites to the county as a whole. The self-guided tour connects historic sites, scenic viewpoints and community memorials throughout Grainger County. It brings together different kinds of places and commemorative landmarks in one offering. If you would like to connect several of the county’s themes, the tour offers a different approach from exploring a single building.
Explore more destinations: Thorn Hill, Madison County, Hamblen, Franklin County, Weakley County, Coffee, Hawkins County, Fayette County.
For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.
