Chilhowee Hydroelectric Development

6102 TN 129, Tallassee, TN
The Chilhowee Hydroelectric Development meets National Register criteria A for its historical significance as an integral part of the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project. The Chilhowee Hydroelectric Development is significant in the industrial development of Tennessee. By the mid-20th century, Alcoa emerged as one of the leading manufacturers in the state, and the development of the Alcoa facility in Blount County made this region an industrial center. Alcoa employed thousands of workers in its aluminum plants, and its hydroelectric facilities made this production possible. Although construction of the Chilhowee Development did not begin until 1955, the facility was planned in the late 1940s/early 1950s as part of Alcoa's interconnected series of hydroelectric facilities on the Little Tennessee and Checah Rivers.

The Tapoco Hydroelectric Project supplies power to Alcoa industrial plants, and Alcoa continues to be a leader in the aluminum industry, and one of the region's largest employers. The mountainous landscape surrounding Chilhowee retains its sense of time and place and looks much as it did when the facility was completed. There is no substantial residential or commercial development in the vicinity of the dam and powerhouse, or along the reservoir shoreline. The Chilhowee Hydroelectric Development meets the registration requirements set forth in the Multiple Property Documentation Form, Historic Resources of the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project.
Local significance of the district:
Industry

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The city of Nashville played an important role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The city was the site of the first sit-in protest in the United States, when a group of African American college students staged a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in downtown Nashville in 1960.
Blount County, located in eastern Tennessee, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by the Cherokee people, who called it "Tanasi." In the late 18th century, European settlers began arriving in the region, and the county was formed in 1795, named after Governor William Blount.

During the early years of its establishment, Blount County played a significant role in the expansion and development of Tennessee. It became a crucial center for trade and commerce, thanks to its location along important trade routes like the Old Federal Road and the Tennessee River. The county also played a role in the War of 1812, with significant military activity taking place near present-day Maryville.

In the mid-19th century, Blount County experienced growth and prosperity, with the implementation of the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad. This allowed for increased access to markets and furthered the agricultural and industrial development of the county. The town of Maryville, the county seat, became a hub for commerce, education, and culture.

Blount County's history is also intertwined with the Civil War. While the county remained predominantly pro-Union during the war, it saw significant military action due to its strategic location. Battle of Maryville and Battle of Campbell's Station were fought within its borders. After the war, Blount County saw a period of rebuilding and recovery, and today it remains a thriving hub of industry, education, and natural beauty.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Blount County, Tennessee.

  • 1795 - Blount County, TN is established
  • 1801 - The town of Maryville is established as the county seat
  • 1818 - The Hiwassee Purchase Treaty opens up the area for settlement
  • 1820 - The Old Stone Presbyterian Church is built in Maryville
  • 1825 - The Little Tennessee River Navigation Company is chartered to improve transportation
  • 1833 - The county courthouse is constructed in Maryville
  • 1857 - The Knoxville and Charleston Railroad reaches Maryville
  • 1861-1865 - Blount County suffers from the American Civil War
  • 1870 - The Knoxville and Ohio Railroad is completed in the county
  • 1933 - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is established, partly in Blount County
  • 1942-1945 - The nearby Alcoa aluminum plant plays a key role in World War II
  • 1982 - The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is founded in Townsend