Old Walton Road

The Old Walton Road was one of the first pioneer trails leading out of North Carolina and into Tennessee. It was completed in 1801 and connected Nashville with Knoxville. It was named in honor of Capt. William Walton, a Revolutionary War veteran. Most of the Walton Road had already been cut out by Native Americans long before the settlers arrived. Peter Avery, a long hunter, came to the Cumberland Gap in 1787, and assisted in forming the pioneer road. The portion of the road that Avery helped cut is known as Avery's Trace. This portion is what is now present day Highway 70 between Cookeville and Crossville. At various points along the road there were forts, or stations set up. Most of these places later became towns. The most notable station was White Plains. Perhaps the most challenging portions of the Walton Road were Buffalo Valley Hill and Monterey Mountain. Even though the Native Americans had already cut portions of the road, they were still subject to persecution by the settlers. Today remnants of the Walton Road can still be seen, note the picture above. Just between the small community of Mayland and Crossville, one is able, if looking close enough, to see an old stone covered bridge at the bottom of the Obed River, when crossing on Highway 70 or Interstate 40. The Walton Road was traveled by many famous people. Those people include the likes of Andrew Jackson, William Blount, and Francis Asbury. When the Tennessee Central Railroad was created, it followed the Walton Road. The Walton Road can still be traveled by way of Highway 70. Even the modern Interstate 40 follows the route of the Walton Road.

The beginning of the old Avery's Trace.

The White Plains Plantation was the most popular stop along the Walton Road.

Map of the Upper Cumberland portion of the Walton Road and Avery's Trace.

Stay tuned for more blog posts about tales from Tennessee and beyond. Don't forget to go check out the Moore Historical Consulting section of the blog. I have all your historical research needs covered.