Explore Tennessee Treasure Tales

Brass Chest of Gold in Mulberry

Gold Nuggets Buried on the Bluffs of Big Clear Creek

Secret of Hidden Silver Mine

Tennessee Treasure Mystery

Welcome to Tennessee, the "Volunteer State," for which it was nicknamed during the War of 1812 for the prominent role its volunteer soldiers played in the Battle of New Orleans.

From 1838 to 1839, after European colonists had spread into the area, native populations were being displaced to the south and west, and nearly 17,000 Cherokees were forced to march from Eastern Tennessee to Indian Territory west of Arkansas. This came to be known as the Trail of Tears because an estimated 4,000 Cherokees died along the way.  Many Civil War battles were fought in Tennessee, and in most the Union was victorious.  As the 20th century dawned, the major issue in Tennessee was the crusade against alcohol, a movement with deep roots in the 19th century. Though the major cities still were "wet," earlier legislation had dried up the rural areas and small towns, and the Tennessee Anti-Saloon League and Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) kept the matter in the public eye.  Tennessee is now well known for its strong country music heritage, including Bluegrass artistry, and down-home charm, horses, whiskey, rifles, and handicrafts.