By Ralphine Major
It is home to the world-renowned Oakes Daylilies. It has a post office, library, community center and fire station. Several churches can be found within its boundaries, as well as Corryton Elementary School. The rural place is tucked away in Knox County’s northeast section. On Saturday, June 20, beginning at 7:30 a.m., this place—Corryton, Tennessee—will host the First Annual Corryton 8-Mile Race.
Traveling from Harbison’s Crossroads in the Gibbs Community up East Emory Road to the site of the race in the Corryton Community is a drive rich in beauty and history. Many people do not realize that Gibbs Community, which is home to Gibbs Elementary and Gibbs High Schools, is also a part of Corryton. The Nicholas Gibbs Homestead, Clapp’s Chapel United Methodist Church, and The Hen House on the Calfee Farm are along the route. Farther up Emory Road at the Boruff Road intersection is the building that was once McGinnis Grocery. Boruff Road is also home to Knox County Commissioner Dave Wright, the Spitzer Farm, and McGinnis Bus Lines. One of the best known landmarks, beautiful and majestic House Mountain State Park, can be seen in the distance. In between the rolling hills and mountains are more of God’s gathering places including: Rocky Dale, God’s Saving Grace Missionary Baptist Church, and Knox County’s oldest church, Little Flat Creek Baptist. A turn onto Foster Road leads to the heart of Corryton and two more landmarks of the community: Corryton Church and Rutherford Memorial United Methodist Church.
“This is an official ‘state record’ race for those interested in trying to break it,” Joe Longmire said. “The race will travel up Corryton-Luttrell Road and return for a scenic run,” he added. Longmire is co-owner of the Midway IGA in Gibbs, but his family operated Longmire’s Grocery in Corryton for many years. Joe is like a walking history book full of knowledge about the Gibbs and Corryton areas. All proceeds from the race will go to the Corryton Food Pantry. For more information, e-mail 00riley@aol.com or Ronaldmfuller@att.net or tuckalee@aol.com.
