Avery's Trace

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Avery's Trace, also called the Nashville Road, was authorized in 1787 and opened in 1788 to connect Knoxville to Nashville, Tennessee. [[Image:

Avery's Trace connected East and Middle Tennessee to promote settlement. It was guarded by five forts.

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Historical Background

In 1787 the North Carolina legislature considered Tennessee part of its territory. They authorized and funded the blazing of a settlers' trail by Peter Avery, along with 300 soldiers to protect that road from Cherokee Indians angry about a road crossing their land without permission. The trail connected East Tennessee (Knoxville) with Middle Tennessee (French Lick, or Nashville).

Route

• Fort Southwest Point, Kingston, Roane, Tennessee (South end of Clinch Mountain)
• Fort Blount, Jackson, Tennessee
• Bledsoe’s Fort, Castalian Springs, Sumner, Tennessee
• Mansker’s Fort, Goodlettsville, Davidson, Tennessee
• Fort Nashborough, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee

Settlers and Records

For partial list of settlers who used the Avery's Trace, see .