Fort Loudoun

Then - Fort Loudoun was painstakingly built in the wilderness during the winter of 1756-57 at the request of pro-British Cherokee factions at the Overhill Town of Chota. The Cherokees wanted the fort and garrison to deter raiding on the Overhill towns by French allied Indians and to discourage French settlement. British soldiers and South Carolina militiamen transported weapons and supplies across the Unicoi Path from South Carolina to build and occupy the fort. For a while it helped ally the powerful Cherokee Nation to the English cause, but relations between the Overhill Cherokees and the colonial troops deteriorated. The Cherokees laid siege to the fort at the outset of the Anglo-Cherokee War of 1760-61 with the garrison surrendering under terms that allowed their return to South Carolina. After one day's travel, Cherokee warriors ambushed the garrison near Belltown, killing about 25 soldiers. The Cherokee warriors sacked the fort, and a number of Cherokee families moved in. When they abandoned the grounds after nearly a year, local Cherokees burned the fort.

Now - The reconstructed fort sits on a hill overlooking Tellico Lake. Living history demonstrations take place throughout the year. The visitor center presents information on the fort's history and artifacts that were excavated prior to the Fort's reconstruction. A 15-minute film adds to the visitor's understanding of the historical period in which the fort was built and ultimately destroyed.

338 Fort Loudoun Road (just off Hwy 360)
Vonore, TN 37885
Hours:
Fort - Open everyday, 8:00 – Sunset
Visitor Center -open Mon-Fri from 8:00-4:30
423-884-6217
www.fortloudoun.com