by B.L. Unkel | Jul 10, 2021 | History
A couple of weeks ago, I shared The Legend of Reelfoot Lake. Here are the historical facts about the earthquakes in that legend. Timeline (All times listed are local to where the quakes occurred.) December 16, 1811, 2:15 A.M. – The first quake (7.2-8.2) hit...
by B.L. Unkel | Jul 3, 2021 | History
Tomorrow is July 4th, our country’s birthday. But rather than talk about the American Revolution, let’s jump ahead almost one hundred fifty years to an American hero known simply as “Sergeant York.” For most people, York’s hero status comes from his actions during...
by B.L. Unkel | Jun 26, 2021 | Travel
I can’t conclude the month of June, and the celebration of Tennessee, without sharing the Legend of Reelfoot Lake. The Legend In the early 1800s, in the northwest corner of Tennessee, lived a Chickasaw tribe. The chief’s son was born with a deformed foot, and...
by B.L. Unkel | Jun 19, 2021 | Travel
History isn’t the only thing that makes the state of Tennessee fascinating. Here are a few of the interesting physical aspects of the state. Borders Tennessee is only about 115 miles wide, but it’s roughly four times that in length. Its highest point is 6,643...
by B.L. Unkel | Jun 14, 2021 | Holidays
The phrases, “The Stars and Stripes” and “Old Glory,” both refer to our country’s flag. The reason for the first is obvious, but where did Old Glory come from? I never thought about its origin—until I “met” Captain William Driver on one of...