Avery's Trace

United States   Migration    Trails and Roads    Avery's Trace

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

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

 * South end of Clinch Mountain (near Blaine, Grainger, Tennessee)
 * Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee
 * Fort Southwest Point, Kingston, Roane, Tennessee
 * Fort Blount, Jackson, Tennessee at a ford to the north side of the Cumberland River
 * Bledsoe’s Fort, Castalian Springs, Sumner, Tennessee
 * Mansker’s Fort, Goodlettsville, Davidson, Tennessee
 * Fort Nashborough, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee crossing to the south side of the Cumberland River

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