WATE reports that 20 acres of land at 1225 S. Kentucky Street in Kingston have been transferred from the city to the State of Tennessee, establishing Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is developing a master plan to guide the park’s long-term vision and is actively seeking public input through an online survey open until March 31. The survey consists of 10 questions focused on community perspectives about the current park, desired improvements, and preferred events, with optional background questions at the end.

This historic site features a fort originally constructed in 1797 by federal troops during Tennessee’s time as part of the Southwest Territory, serving as a supply depot until its abandonment in 1811.

It also preserves archaeological evidence of pre-Contact Native American activity dating back to around 8,000–6,000 B.C. and marked the boundary between U.S. and Cherokee lands. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, the property includes 15 reconstructed structures from the original fort, along with a free-admission visitor center and museum managed by the City of Kingston that displays excavated artifacts.

The initiative to create this and other new state parks, including Hiwassee Scenic River, Ocoee River, Head of the Crow, and Cardwell Mountain, was part of Governor Bill Lee’s 2024-2025 budget proposal, which allocated funding toward these developments.

TDEC Deputy Commissioner for Conservation Brian Clifford emphasized the significance of public participation, noting that community feedback will shape the park’s experiences, conservation efforts, and benefits for future generations.