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Knoxville as an Educational Center
In educational matters, Knoxville has always stood in the front rank among Southern cities. Her combined school property, buildings, appliances and grounds are worth nearly one million dollars. One of the first acts of the early law-makers was to establish a college here. This was in 1794. That college is now
The University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Agricultural College, and U. S. Government Experiment Station. It is situated in the southwest section of the city upon a noble hill, containing about 40 acres several hundred feet above and overlooking the Tennessee River. Near by is the College Farm, containing 240 acres. The library and various appurtenances have cost more than $40,000. New and handsome buildings have recently been erected upon the hill, the total cost of all now being about $150,000. Many eminent men have graduated from its hoary walls, and it today receives the patronage not only of the State, but many other States of the Union as well. The President, Dr. Charles W. Dabney, and his corps of professors are in the front rank of educators. A partial view of the grounds and buildings are shown in the illustrations.
The State Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, located in the heart of the city, is the finest institution of its kind in the South. In the beauty of its grounds, about seven acres, and the massiveness and appointments of its buildings, with their heavy Corinthian columns, it is the equal of any in the United States. This institution was established in 1847. Over one hundred pupils are in attendance annually. Most of them are fed, clothed and educated by the State. Prof. Thomas L. Moses, the principal, and the excellent corps of professors with which he is surrounded, are accomplishing a great and noble work. A branch of this school for Colored Deaf Mutes is located in the southeast section of the city. This department is under the same care of the State as the main school.
Public Schools. No city in the Union possesses better public schools than Knoxville. They have always been her pride. They are supported by an annual outlay of over $50,000, and occupy handsome, commodious buildings, supplied with all modern improvements. The value of the buildings, furniture, etc., is about $150,000. The number of pupils in attendance is over four thousand (4,211 in 1891). The schools are kept open for ten months in the year. There are ten school buildings at present, located in different parts of the city, and more are to be added in the near future. Three of the leading school buildings are shown in the illustrations. Besides the schools already mentioned, the city has a medical college, the East Tennessee Medical College, a new but a most excellent institution; the Knoxville Business College, which receives a large patronage; and Young's Shorthand College.
There are also several private and denominational schools. Prominent among these is the East Tennessee Institute and School of Music (just opening); the University School for boys; Morris' Classical School, also for boys; St. Mary's School, under the auspices of the Catholic Church; Miss Lee's School; the Knoxville College, under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Church, for colored pupils only; besides several other smaller, schools and kindergartens. The rate in each of these schools is very reasonable, the cost of living low, so that students from a distance enjoy special advantages at a minimum cost.
Knoxville's Churches
As an indication of the moral standing of the people of Knoxville the number of her churches is striking proof. In all there are 48 churches, white and colored, or about one to each thousand inhabitants, embracing all the leading and many of the minor denominations. The number in each church compares favorably with that of any other city. The illustration shows a number of prominent church edifices, many of which have cost large sums of money. A careful compilation made from the census returns last year show the relative strength of the different denominations and the religious preference of the population to be:
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Of the entire population of 40,385 who expressed their religious persuasion, either as church members or non-church members, about ten thousand were Methodists, nine thousand were Baptists, three thousand were Presbyterians, two thousand were Catholics and the balance were less than that, ranging from one thousand down to a half dozen. In the above list, the different denominations, from and including the Hebrews down to the end of the list, have no separate houses of worship.
Secret Orders and Benevolent Associations
Nearly all the leading secret orders and benevolent associations of the country are well represented here. Most of the lodges are strong and in a flourishing condition. The various white and colored organizations exist. There are several Masonic orders and lodges of Odd Fellows. Other orders are Knights of Pythias, American Legion of Honor, Ancient Order United Workmen, Catholic Knights of America, Irish Mutual Benevolent Society, B. P. O. Elks, Knights of Honor, United Order of Golden Cross, Royal Arcanum, Knights of Labor, Railroad Employes Mutual Relief Society, Order Railway Conductors, and the Typographical Union. Local institutions are the Church Orphanage, Knox County Humane Society, Industrial Home for Girls, Mission Home, Women's Educational and Industrial Union, two Confederate Veterans Associations, and two Grand Army Posts.
The text and HTML code of this page is copyright ©2003 to Billie R. McNamara. All rights reserved. Please direct all questions and comments to Ms. McNamara. Background graphic image was borrowed from Fred Smoot. Used by permission.