FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-085

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (May 26, 2026) – This edition of Fun with Maps is all about the brief life of the Southwest Territory and it’s growth into a familiar southern state well- known for its music history.

Volunteer

The Southwest Territory was established on May 26, 1790.  Not many have heard of this territory given its short life.  It was admitted to the Union as the 16th state six years later — Tennessee.

The Southwest Territory’s first capital was Rocky Mount and had about 36 thousand inhabitants.  Now Tennessee boasts a population of 7.3 million.

Many men were willing to volunteer for military duty, especially for the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, hence the nickname of Volunteer State.

Tennessee is known for country music, with Nashville being the epicenter, and the blues and early rock and roll, centered in Memphis.

Tennessee is one of the many states tracing its name to Native American roots – Tanasi, a Cherokee village in eastern Tennessee.

This map of the state is by Mitchell from 1850.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.