Tennessee State Flag
The flag is seen standing in the schoolhouse where Christy teaches. Tennessee was the 16th state admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796. The current flag was adopted on April 17th 1905. It was designed by Colonel Lee Roy Reeves from Johnson City, Tennessee. The blue bar is to be flown at the end and was used to contrast the red when it hangs limp.
The three stars are the most important part of the flag. They’re called the Three Grand Divisions and represent the three areas of East, Middle and West. It is listed in 1923 as a part of the state’s constitution. They were occasionally called the three states of Tennessee. Each division is filled with a significant amount of history, so much more than a few paragraphs can hold. The right star represents East Tennessee, the center Middle Tennessee, and left West Tennessee. Christy’s location is in the right star representing East Tennessee.
East Tennessee includes cities and towns such as Del Rio (real life location of Christy), Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities. The oldest town in Tennessee is Jonesborough. The east includes the Appalachian mountains and the Great Smokies National Park. Limestone, TN is also the birthplace of the legendary David Crockett. Townsend is the location of the filming of Christy. One of the most famous attractions is the theme park Dollywood named after singer Dolly Parton. Bristol, TN is known as the Birthplace of Country Music and exhibits a museum for the music.
Middle Tennessee includes cities such as Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Henderson and Lebanon. Nashville is the most prominent for its country music’s Grand Ole Opry and music recordings. The list of musicians that have recorded there is incomprehensible. From Elvis Presley, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Johnny Cash and Blake Shelton. The list never ends. It’s the state capital, however many former capitals include Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Kingston.
West Tennessee was early known for its cotton and trade along the Mississippi River. It’s also home to Elvis Presley’s mansion Graceland in Memphis. It’s also where Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
