Fort Loudoun, on Tellico Lake in Eastern Tennessee

As one of Monroe County's and East Tennessee's most visited historical attractions Fort Loudoun provides visitors with a real taste of what life was like during Colonial times. At the time the fort was constructed in 1757, East Tennessee was at the far west end of British rule. At the time the Spanish and mainly French were vying for control of the colonists. The British built the fort to protect the colonists and Cherokees, from the opposing forces. The Cherokees were promised guns, ammunition, food and shelter if they would fight alongside the British. The cooperative effort didnt last long. Soon skirmishes erupted and hard fought, bloody battles between the British and the Cherokees occurred more and more often, which resulted in many deaths and others taken prisoner. The fort was eventually burned, probably by the Cherokees, and sat neglected for nearly two centuries. Even though the fort did not survive long it did play a role in laying the foundation for the freedoms we have today.

Overlooking Tellico Lake, the fort has been reconstructed and is the cornerstone of Fort Loudoun State Historic Park. Visitors to the fort get a glimpse of what life was like 250 years ago, during Colonial times. There are demonstrations including blacksmithing, cooking, medical procedures and of course soldier reenactments which is fun for the entire family.

 The park's other amenities include picnic grounds, fishing pier, hiking trails and boat doc.

The location of the park is just a few minutes from Vonore, Tennessee. The surrounding area is one of the most beautiful in the area, and has become a favorite location for vacation and second homes buyers. The Ridges at Tellico Lake, a gated community of large estate size home sites and gorgeous award winning model homes is just a short drive away. With fractional ownership starting at just $149,000, The Ridges offers a fantastic lifestyle, with magnificent panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. To learn more about The Ridges at Tellico Lake please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 1-877-Tenn-A-See (836-6273).