Stop Sixteen: Treaty of the Holston Statue

This statue marks the spot on the banks of First Creek where it meets the Tennessee River. On June 8, 1790, William Blount was commissioned as governor of the “Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio.” As governor, on the bank of First Creek, Blount ordered an elaborate pavilion to be built where the treaty with the Cherokee would be signed. William Blount wore his finest uniform trimmed with gold and insisted that the settlers from White’s Fort should be dressed in their showiest and best clothes. Blount’s delegation was equally impressed at the sight of the Cherokee chieftains, wearing every bit of finery they possessed. After several days of ceremony and negotiation, the Treaty of the Holston was signed on July 2, 1791. The treaty stated that “there shall be perpetual peace and friendship” between the citizens of the United States and the Cherokee nation. Unfortunately, that peace did not last very long!

Standard Tour Mission:

See if you can see the Treaty of the Holston statue from this spot. The statue is located at the end of the Volunteer parking lot below. When you have time, you can see the statue up close by accessing the location either at the end of Volunteer parking lot (where Calhoun's By The River is located) or the Neyland Greenway entrance by Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Virtual Tour trivia questions:

How many Cherokee arrived on July 2, 1791 to sign the Treaty of the Holston?

How much did the settlers of the Southwest Territory agree to pay the Cherokee nation every year through the Treaty of the Holston?