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- calendar_today November 13, 2026
David Crockett Statue Unveiled at Tennessee’s Capitol Hill
The grounds of the Tennessee Capitol now feature a new statue honoring the legendary frontiersman and politician David Crockett. The monument stands prominently outside the building, commemorating one of Tennessee’s most iconic figures and replacing a statue of Edward Carmack that had previously occupied the spot.
Honoring a Legendary Tennessean
The bronze statue portrays Crockett dressed for hunting, holding a rifle and accompanied by his dogs. Notably, Crockett holds a coonskin cap—an accessory later associated with his persona, though he only wore it for hunting in real life. Contrary to popular myth, Crockett never used the nickname "Davy." The monument pays homage to his adventurous spirit and contributions both as a pioneer and a legislator.
Crockett’s Complicated Relationship with Tennessee
While Crockett is celebrated as a native son, his relationship with the state was not without friction. As a Congressman, Crockett vocally opposed the Indian Removal Act, a policy strongly supported by President Andrew Jackson, another Tennessean. Crockett’s stance left him unelectable in Tennessee, and after losing re-election, he is reported to have said, "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." Leaving for Texas, Crockett initially aimed to hunt buffalo, but ultimately joined the Texas Revolutionary Army. He died in 1836 at the age of 49 defending the Alamo, alongside about 30 other Tennesseans—many of whom saw him as a celebrity, although he was not responsible for recruiting them.
A Replacement for Edward Carmack’s Statue
The location now occupied by Crockett’s likeness was previously home to a statue of Edward Carmack, installed on Capitol Hill steps in 1927. Carmack, a newspaper editor and politician, was initially honored as a martyr for prohibition after being killed in Nashville following a heated dispute over an election. However, his legacy is clouded by his racist views and inflammatory editorials.
Carmack publicly feuded with Black activist and newspaperwoman Ida B. Wells over lynching in America. During their dispute, Carmack called for someone to lynch Wells, an incitement that led to a mob destroying Wells’ office and driving her from Memphis. These aspects of Carmack’s history cast a long shadow over his memorialization.
Statue’s Removal Amid Protest and Uncertain Fate
In 2020, protests following the killing of George Floyd led to a reckoning with public monuments nationwide. Protesters overturned Carmack’s statue, seeking a Tennessee Capitol more representative of all its residents. As of 2021, the Carmack statue was being held in storage on a Nashville loading dock; its permanent fate remains unclear.
A New Symbol for Capitol Hill
The unveiling ceremony for the David Crockett statue took place on a Thursday, officially marking the replacement of Carmack’s controversial figure at the prominent Capitol Hill location. The change reflects ongoing discussions about how historical figures are remembered and the evolving landscape of Tennessee’s public monuments.
Source: wpln.org.
