KINGSTON – Tennessee State Parks invites the public to help shape the future of the new Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park by completing a brief online survey for the park.
The site, in Roane County, is currently operated by the City of Kingston and is open and accessible to the public. The state has begun forming a Master Plan for the park as it transitions to becoming a state park, and the survey is a key step in the process. The Master Plan establishes a comprehensive, long-term vision for the park, defining how the park’s cultural, natural, and recreational resources will be protected, interpreted, and enhanced over time.
The survey is open through March 31, 2026.
“This is a big moment for Tennessee, and we are excited about what’s ahead with this new state park,” said Brian Clifford, deputy commissioner for Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “The master plan is something we create with the public. We truly value the public’s feedback, and we are listening closely because their input will help define the experiences, conservation priorities, and community benefits this park delivers for generations.”
The park will provide insights into history through a variety of unique interpretive programs. Fort Southwest Point was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 for its historical and archaeological significance.
Fort Southwest Point was constructed in 1797 by federal troops in what was then the “Southwest Territory” of the nation. The fort was used as a supply depot until it was abandoned in 1811. The location includes the archaeological record of pre-Contact Native Americans dating back to circa 8,000-6,000 B.C. Originally positioned at the border of U.S. and Cherokee lands, the site represents a significant moment in time for the nation’s frontier and conflicts with indigenous peoples.
The property historically contained 15 structures. The present-day structures are re-constructions. The original structures built in 1797 degraded over time.
