Did you know?

Did you know that before 1865, Knoxville's 400-block area was too steep for development? It was most often used as the city dump.

Did you know the Tennessee Valley was once the site of a UFO invasion? In 1910, two "well-known citizens" of Knoxville reported seeing an unidentified object in the sky over Summit Hill. In January of that same year, sightings were also recorded in Chattanooga over a period of three days.

Did you know that in the late 1860s, a gypsy circus performed on the site of Knoxville's baseball stadium? The circus' main attraction was a rare white mule. The mule later died here in 1897 during the "million dollar fire" that consumed an entire block of Gay Street. After a series of small fires during the 1900s, rumors began spreading about the curse of the white mule. Apparently, old folklore tells of ill fortune that will occur on the site because of the untimely death.

Did you know an enormous explosion took place in front of the Woodruff's building in 1904? It was reported that dynamite stored outside this hardware outlet was ignited by a small fire that began inside the building. Dozens of pedestrians were injured on Gay Street. The building was rebuilt as Woodruff's Furniture and did business from Gay Street until the early 1990s.

Did you know Civil War veterans once faced-off during games of baseball in downtown Knoxville? A committee was formed in the mid-1860s to urge the development of the city's baseball stadium. Just after the Civil War, the first games were played between the Knoxville's (former Confederate soldiers) and the Holston's (former Union soldiers). Home plate was located at the old Woodruff's Hardware (later furniture store), which is now occupied by the Downtown Grill and Brewery.

Did you know the present location of the Partnership, on Summit Hill Drive, was once part of the original campus of the Tennessee School for the Deaf? Built in 1848, the building has also been City Hall and a military hospital during the Civil War.

Did you know the University of Tennessee was founded on September 10, 1794 and was first known as Blount College? Reverend Samuel Carrick, a pioneer minister who organized the First Presbyterian Church, served as the college's first president.

Did you know that in 1984, Knoxville tied with Greensboro for the title of "America's Most Livable City?" Today, Knoxville continues to rank high in surveys and studies as one of the best places to live, own a business and raise a family.

Did you know Knoxville boasts the oldest professional symphony in the Southeast? The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1934 and continues to perform today, with its headquarters located within the CBID.

Did you know Knoxville was once a fortified city? Knoxville was originally located on high ground between two large creeks where it could be easily defended from attack. This location would contribute to the city's reputation as a transportation hub in the 1790s.

Did you know Knoxville is often called the "Cradle of Country Music?" The Old Holston Bank (built in 1912 and now occupied by AmSouth Bank) once housed the studios of WROL-AM. The station is known for launching the careers of Roy Acuff, the Everly Brothers and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Did you know Knoxville was once the home of East Tennessee's largest department store? Millers' Department store (founded in 1905) was one of the first stores in the area to install an escalator and offer a store charge card - the Charge-a-Plate. The building was refurbished in 2000 and is headquarters for Knoxville Utilities Board and Image Point.

Did you know Gus' Restaurant was originally a Walgreen's that was built around 1940? During the 1960s, Knoxville College sponsored the first sit-ins in Knoxville at the lunch counter of the drug store. Memories of those activities are featured in "Diary of a Sit In," a novel by Merrill Proudfoot.

Did you know the 400-block of Gay Street was once almost completely burned to the ground? It was the site of the legendary "Million Dollar Fire" that occurred in 1897. People believed the blaze began in a back room of the old Hotel Knox and destroyed several hardware stores, hotels, pharmacies and wholesale businesses.