Landmarks
From storied landmarks to quiet roadside markers, Monroe County invites you to experience history where it happened. Stand in the presence of the Cherokee Memorials, journey deep beneath the earth at the awe-inspiring The Lost Sea, and explore the grounds of Fort Loudoun State Historic Park, where the French and Indian War once shaped the frontier. Along winding backroads and scenic byways, historic homes and Civil War traces reveal themselves in unexpected places. Here, every stop tells a story—and every mile brings the past to life.
Driving through history!
Explore Monroe County with ease using our interactive landmarks map. Quickly find national and historic sites, learn a bit of their story, and plan your route—all in one place. It’s the simplest way to discover where to go and what makes each stop worth the visit.
LOST SEA
The Lost Sea is the largest underwater lake in the United States and has been a popular place to visit for over 20,000 years (though that first visitor was a prehistoric jaguar). The cave is open to the public with tours available. Tickets are available to purchase on their website.
FORT LOUDOUN
Originally built by the British in the 1750s, what you see today is a modern reconstruction of Fort Loudoun. Artifacts from the original fort are on display in the visitor center. On certain weekends, reenactors bring the fort to life with demonstrations of how the fort was operated, including how 18th century firearms were shot.
CHEROKEE MEMORIALS
Along the shores of Tellico Lake, memorials honor the historic Cherokee towns of Chota and Tanasi. Just outside the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, a burial mound serves as the final resting place of 191 Cherokee people whose original graves were disturbed when the TVA flooded the valley. Today, it stands as a meaningful place of remembrance.
Discover even more local history by visiting our MUSEUM PAGE and exploring the exhibits and stories connected to these landmarks.
Curious about Monroe County’s role in the Civil War?
The Civil War Trail invites you to step into the past and explore the sites where local history was made. As you travel through the county, discover historic markers and locations that tell the stories of people, events, and moments that shaped the region during this pivotal time in American history.
Historic Old Towns & Homes
Downtown Madisonville
Built in 1897, the Monroe County Courthouse houses many local government offices. It too is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Built in 1897, the Monroe County Courthouse houses many local government offices. It too is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Donna's Old Town Cafe (a local Madisonville favorite) opened in 1994 but the building is from sometime before the Civil War. History and a meal!
Historic Homes in Madisonville
The Stickley Mansion
Built in 1840 and is in the Greek Revival style.
226 Warren St, Madisonville TN.
(Photo by Brian Stansberry)
The Kefauver House
The Kefauver House was built in the 1830s and was the childhood home of Estes Kefauver who served as a member of Congress from 1939 to 1963. Neither house is open to the public but can be enjoyed from the sidewalk.
Located : 200 Main St, Madisonville, TN.
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Downtown Sweetwater
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The First Presbyterian Church
Built in 1887 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Stweetwater Train Car
This vintage train car in Sweetwater has been restored and is now a public indoor sitting area! Outside are plaques with information about the history of the city.
