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Roane County was formed in 1801 from Knox County and ceded Indian lands. The area was already important to Tennessee history, especially migration, because Fort Southwest Point was located at the confluence of the Clinch and Tennessee Rivers near modern-day Kingston.
Roane County has been a parent of several present-day counties: Bledsoe, formed in 1807; Christiana, formed in 1870 (now Loudon); Cumberland, formed in 1855; Monroe, formed in 1819; Morgan, formed in 1817; and Rhea, formed in 1807.
Located near North America’s Eastern Continental Divide in the southwestern portion of the East Tennessee region, Roane County’s seat is Kingston. Founded in 1799, Kingston was the Tennessee State Capital for one day — September 21, 1807. Rockwood and Harriman are the other incorporated cities. Oliver Springs, Lenoir City, and Oak Ridge are incorporated cities with partial boundaries in Roane County.
Fortunately, Roane County Courthouse has never suffered a fire. Most records are intact from the date of county formation.
If you have Roane County-related family or local history information, photos, transcribed/abstracted/indexed documents, or digitized material to share, please click here to contact us!