NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rocky Top, you'll always be … a real place. All you South Carolina Gamecock and Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gator fans take note: Rocky Top actually exists. It's found 5,441 feet up in the thin air of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Appalachian Trail.
Where is Rocky Top Tennessee?
While the Bryants never indicated that "Rocky Top, Tennessee" refers to a specific place, some have suggested that a 5,440-foot (1,660 m) barren summit known as "Rocky Top"- located in the Great Smoky Mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border-is the best fit, due in large part to its proximity to Gatlinburg, where the song was written.
Why does Tennessee play Rocky Top at every game?
Randolph reprised his jazzy "Rocky Top" solo when Tennessee played LSU on New Year's Eve, 1972 in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl at the Houston Astrodome. UT recognized the song's appeal and the band started playing Rocky Top at every game.
What is the Rocky Top case in Tennessee?
" Operation Rocky Top " was the FBI 's code name for a public corruption investigation into the Tennessee state government in the late 1980s which resulted in the eventual suicide of the Tennessee Secretary of State, Gentry Crowell, and the incarceration of several other individuals, most notably state House Majority Leader Tommy Burnett.
When did Lake City TN become Rocky Top TN?
Coal Creek changed its name in 1936 to become Lake City after the completion of Norris Dam. In 2013, it became Rocky Top, Tennessee. When you visit this town that’s full of both history and excitement, you’re in for a treat. To help you plan your visit, we’ve put together 4 of the best things to do in Rocky Top TN:
Where is the actual Rocky Top?
the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkAll you South Carolina Gamecock and Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gator fans take note: Rocky Top actually exists. It's found 5,441 feet up in the thin air of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Appalachian Trail.
Why do they call Tennessee Rocky Top?
In 2014, Rocky Top became a true geographic place name after Lake City, Tennessee changed its name to Rocky Top after an effort by the House of Bryant to enjoin the city was denied by a federal court.
What is Rocky Top known for?
college football fight songRecorded by countless artists, most notably the Osborne Brothers, Rocky Top is said to be the number one college football fight song of all time (USAToday).
Are the Osborne Brothers still alive?
The Osborne Brothers, Sonny (October 29, 1937 – October 24, 2021) and Bobby (born December 7, 1931), were an influential and popular bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s and until Sonny retired in 2005.
Is Rocky Top Tennessee a real place?
The City of Rocky Top is located on Interstate 75 in Anderson and Campbell County in beautiful East Tennessee. Rocky Top is twenty miles north of Downtown Knoxville and offers access to the beautiful Norris Lake, Norris Dam State Park and WindRock Park, which is the largest off-road recreation area in the country.
What is Rocky Top Tennessee famous for?
Recorded by countless artists, most notably the Osborne Brothers, Rocky Top is said to be the number one college football fight song of all time (USAToday).
Is there anything to see in Rocky Top Tennessee?
Devil’s Triangle The Devil’s Triangle is nestled in the Cumberland Mountains and is one of the most popular things to do in Rocky Top TN! Experience 45 miles of twists and turns and about 1,000 feet in elevation change as you pass pastures fields and ride through steep switchback curves.
Is Rocky Top Tennessee safe?
Crime Grades Rocky Top is in the 24th percentile for safety, meaning 76% of cities are safer and 24% of cities are more dangerous. The rate of violent crime in Rocky Top is 4.26 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.
What county is Norris TN in?
Norris, city, Anderson county, eastern Tennessee, U.S. It lies along the Clinch River, about 20 miles (30 km) northwest of Knoxville.
When did Rocky Top become a place?
In 2014, Rocky Top became a true geographic place name after Lake City, Tennessee changed its name to Rocky Top after an effort by the House of Bryant to enjoin the city was denied by a federal court.
What does the song Rocky Top mean?
The song says that the soil on Rocky Top is too rocky to grow corn, so the people of Rocky Top "get their corn from a jar". In the third and final verse (which consists of just four lines), the singer again longs for the "simple" life, likening life in the city to being "trapped like a duck in a pen.".
How long is the Rocky Top?
The rocky outcropping at the peak is about 25 yards (23 m) long. The name "Rocky Top" is sometimes used as a nickname for East Tennessee, the city of Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee (especially its two major athletic venues, Neyland Stadium and the Thompson–Boling Arena ).
What would happen if Rocky Top was not played?
Long-term band director W.J. Julian stated that if Rocky Top was ever not played, then there would be a mutiny among Vol fans , reflecting the song's deep-rooted foundation in UT sports. The song was officially adopted as the fifth Tennessee state song in 1982.
Where did the Bryants write the song "Rocky Top"?
At the time, the Bryants were working at The Gatlinburg Inn in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on a collection of slow-tempo songs for a project for Archie Campbell and Chet Atkins. Writing the fast-paced "Rocky Top," which took about 10 minutes to write, served as a temporary diversion for them.
What is the rocky top band?
In U.S. college athletics, "Rocky Top" is associated with the Tennessee Volunteers of the University of Tennessee (UT), whose Pride of the Southland Band has played a marching band version of the song at the school's sporting events since the early 1970s.
When did Randolph sing Rocky Top?
Randolph reprised his jazzy "Rocky Top" solo when Tennessee played LSU on New Year's Eve, 1972 in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl at the Houston Astrodome. UT recognized the song's appeal and the band started playing Rocky Top at every game.
Who is the bald spot in Rocky Mountain?
The bald spot about a mile below Rocky Top is named for James Spence, who built a cabin in the area around 1830. Spence Field is actually not a natural bald, but it was cleared by settlers for the purposes of raising sheep and cattle.
How long is the hike from Cades Cove to Rocky Top?
The hike from Cades Cove going toward Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top is more than a 13-mile round trip hike. Plan your day accordingly and be prepared for lots of uphill to start.
Where is Devil's Triangle in Tennessee?
The Devil’s Triangle is nestled in the Cumberland Mountains and is one of the most popular things to do in Rocky Top TN! Experience 45 miles of twists and turns and about 1,000 feet in elevation change as you pass pastures fields and ride through steep switchback curves. Some highlights along the trail include the Brushy Mountain Prison, which housed James Earl Ray, the assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King, until his death in 1998. You can also see the only windmill farm in Tennessee and travel deep into the heart of mining country!
What was Coal Creek named after?
Coal Creek changed its name in 1936 to become Lake City after the completion of Norris Dam. In 2013, it became Rocky Top, Tennessee.
Rocky Top Total Crime Map
The map below shows a simple count for crime in Rocky Top, meaning it will closely resemble state population maps.
Interpreting the Crime Maps
When looking at the crime map for Rocky Top, remember that the rate of crime per resident may appear inflated when people visit the area during the day, but do not live there. For example, there are few retail establishments in the city. Many crimes are committed in retail areas in blocks where few people live.
Rocky Top Crime Breakdown
The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. All crime rates are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 Rocky Top residents in a standard year.
Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Cities
Compared to surrounding cities, the rate of crime in Rocky Top is similar. The table below shows Crime Grades for cities close to Rocky Top.
Crime Maps and Rates for City with Similar Populations
Rocky Top is less safe versus other cities of the same size for crime. The table below compares crime in cities with comparable overall population in the city‘s boundaries.
About the Data
crimegrade.org is devoted to the most accurate data available. Errors still occur, but on average CrimeGrade maps are the most accurate and detailed crime maps available. Data is available for licensing, and has been used by insurance companies, home security companies, and more. Read more about our USA crime data and licensing here.
Home Security
A crime occurs on average every 8 days 4 hours in Rocky Top. Want to protect your home?
Overview
Rocky Top (formerly Coal Creek and Lake City) is a city in Anderson and Campbell counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, northwest of Knoxville. The population was 1,781 at the 2010 census. Most of the community is in Anderson County and is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area. On June 26, 2014, the city officially changed its name from Lake City to Rocky …
History
The town was originally named Coal Creek when it was founded in the early 19th century, after the 1798 Treaty of Tellico opened the area to settlement, taking its name from the stream that runs through the town. Coal Creek and the nearby town of Briceville were the sites of a major lockout of coal miners in 1891, which resulted in the town of Coal Creek being occupied by the state militia for over a year after miners attempted to force an end to the use of unpaid convict labor in the mines…
Geography
Rocky Top is located in northern Anderson County, and is the northern terminus of U.S. Route 441. Interstate 75 serves the city with two exits and leads south 24 miles (39 km) to Knoxville and north 145 miles (233 km) to Lexington, Kentucky.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Rocky Top has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km ), all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,888 people, 815 households, and 485 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,186.1 people per square mile (458.5/km ). There were 900 housing units at an average density of 565.4 per square mile (218.5/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 98.78% White, 0.11% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of …
Parks and recreation
Norris Dam State Park is located near Rocky Top.
Notable people
Rocky Top is the hometown of songwriter Dean Dillon, whose songs have become hits for singers including George Strait, Toby Keith, Keith Whitley, George Jones, and Kenny Chesney. Rocky Top (then Coal Creek) was also the birthplace of early 20th century artist Catherine Wiley (1879–1958).
Further reading
• Cawood, Chris (1995). Tennessee's Coal Creek War: Another Fight for Freedom. Magnolia Hill Press. ISBN 9780964223103.
• Drash, Wayne (May 4, 2014). "Tennessee town's rocky road to becoming Rocky Top". CNN.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
External links
• Official website
• Municipal Technical Advisory Service entry for Rocky Top – information on local government, elections, and link to charter