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Knoxville history comes alive in Old Gray Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee

Founded in 1786, Knoxville, Tennessee is a city rich in history and colorful citizens that contributed much to Knoxville the the surrounding areas. Many of Knoxville’s early citizens were buried in Old Gray Cemetery after their passing.

In what has became an annual even, the Lantern and Carriage Tour at Old Gray Cemetery offers fascinating vignettes into Knoxville’s past as reenactors portray famous and/or interesting Knoxvillians buried in Old Gray.

Old Gray Cemetery was dedicated in 1852 with the first burial on July 14, 1851. Old Gray is located about 12 blocks north of downtown Knoxville and is intended to be used as a park in addition to being a burial place.

My lovely wife Charlotte and I visited Old Gray yesterday for the 9th annual Lantern & Carriage Tour.

This terrific bugler below played "Taps" every 30 minutes or so.

Knoxville area World War II veterans were represented by this wonderful bugler



Colonel David Chapman portrayed below, was heavily involved for the State of Tennessee in acquiring land that would later become the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Listen to the horses hooves 'clip clop' on the pavement as one of the carriages goes by with a load of visitors.




If you have an interest in what Knoxville was like many years ago, a visit to the annual Old Gray Cemetery Lantern & Carriage Tour is like turning a page back in time to revisit living history.

See lots more photos and stories here



Posted Monday Sep 28