When the world gets a bit heavy, sometimes it’s easy to distract oneself with a few fun facts and a bit of bizarre trivia. The state of Tennessee is not only a beautiful place to visit, but it’s also one of the most interesting places to study and experience for yourself. These 11 hilarious and bizarre pieces of Tennessee trivia will not only perk up that quiet afternoon, but they just might shock you on their own. Take a look, and leave your interesting facts in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear what you know, Tennessee!
- Tennessee is tied as the “most neighborly” state.
Norman B. Leventhal Map Center - Flickr Both Tennessee and Missouri share borders with EIGHT other states.
- Tennessee only has one natural lake.
Kelly Stewart - Flickr It’s Reelfoot Lake, which is shared by both Obion and Lake Counties. The New Madrid earthquakes that occurred in late 1811 and 1812 created the watery hollows in the earth that later became known as Reelfoot Lake.
- Tennessee is home to the MOST visited private home in the country…
jennifer - Flickr …after the White House, of course. Graceland remains the most-visited home in the country for its legacy as the home base of rock ’n roll legend, Elvis Presley.
- Mini golf was first patented in Tennessee.
Valerie Everett - Flickr It’s true! Garnet Carter was not the inventor of mini golf, but he did secure the first patent for the low-key sport in 1927. Interestingly enough, he built the first course just over the state line in Georgia.
- Coca-Cola was first bottled in Tennessee.
David Schexnaydre - Flickr Although it’s famed for its Georgia base nowadays, the famed soda pop was first bottled in Chattanooga in 1899.
- The tow truck was born in Tennessee.
Ruin Raider - Flickr It’s true! Ernest Holmes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, invented the tow truck in 1916. And everyone was forever grateful.
- Tennessee has TEN official state songs.
Tennessee State Library and Archives - Flickr From “My Homeland, Tennessee” from 1925 to “Smoky Mountain Rain,” the state claims quite a few songs as their own.
- Kingston was once Tennessee’s state capital.
Brian Stansberry - Wikipedia
- It’s illegal to sell a hollow log in Tennessee.
lunamom58 - Flickr We’re not sure why you would feel the need to sell out a hollow log…? But just in case. Consider this your warning.
- A Nashville astronomer has a star named after them.
Kim MyoungSung - Flickr Barnard’s Star was named after Edward E. Barnard, and he was born in Nashville in 1857.
- Tennessee’s Governor Ned McWherter had a trademark snack…
Pete Jelliffe - Flickr …it was the Nilla Wafer!
Tennessee really is a quirky place, don’t you think? Learn more about The Volunteer State with a visit to our Tennessee site archives, right here.
Norman B. Leventhal Map Center - Flickr
Both Tennessee and Missouri share borders with EIGHT other states.
Kelly Stewart - Flickr
It’s Reelfoot Lake, which is shared by both Obion and Lake Counties. The New Madrid earthquakes that occurred in late 1811 and 1812 created the watery hollows in the earth that later became known as Reelfoot Lake.
jennifer - Flickr
…after the White House, of course. Graceland remains the most-visited home in the country for its legacy as the home base of rock ’n roll legend, Elvis Presley.
Valerie Everett - Flickr
It’s true! Garnet Carter was not the inventor of mini golf, but he did secure the first patent for the low-key sport in 1927. Interestingly enough, he built the first course just over the state line in Georgia.
David Schexnaydre - Flickr
Although it’s famed for its Georgia base nowadays, the famed soda pop was first bottled in Chattanooga in 1899.
Ruin Raider - Flickr
It’s true! Ernest Holmes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, invented the tow truck in 1916. And everyone was forever grateful.
Tennessee State Library and Archives - Flickr
From “My Homeland, Tennessee” from 1925 to “Smoky Mountain Rain,” the state claims quite a few songs as their own.
Brian Stansberry - Wikipedia
lunamom58 - Flickr
We’re not sure why you would feel the need to sell out a hollow log…? But just in case. Consider this your warning.
Kim MyoungSung - Flickr
Barnard’s Star was named after Edward E. Barnard, and he was born in Nashville in 1857.
Pete Jelliffe - Flickr
…it was the Nilla Wafer!
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Address: Tennessee, USA
