great scott county

Fort Blackmore

If you're interested in hiking, canoeing, or farm fresh produce, then Fort Blackmore is the place to be. Every visitor should stop at Mann Farm's produce stand on the main road for delicious strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers, in season. Once you've filled your belly, launch your boat or drop a fishing line in the world famous Clinch River, or drive a few miles up the road to the Devil's Fork Loop Trail. The Dungannon and Clinch River Scenic Road Tour offers a driving or cycling route that also passes through Fort Blackmore.

Located at the confluence of Big Stoney Creek and the Clinch River, Ft. Blackmore was an important frontier outpost. The fort was built on the north side of the Clinch River by John and Joseph Blackmore in 1773 as a large palisaded structure that provided an essential sanctuary to area settlers throughout the colonial period. There they would flee from settlements all across the area for protection when hostile Indian activity was detected – sometimes for months at a time. Ft. Blackmore was the westernmost of a string of forts along the Clinch and was often attacked by Shawnee, Mingo, or Cherokee War Parties, but never taken.

A monument marking the location of one of these historic forts, as well as a beautiful war memorial, are located on Rte 72, approximately one mile south of Fort Blackmore. While you're in Ft. Blackmore, look at the cliff on the opposite bank of the Clinch where Indians were said to hide out while waiting to attack the settlers in the fort.

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