page_title: Mascot, Tennessee
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Mascot, Tennessee / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Chesterfield (9625 Old Rutledge Pike) in the Skaggstown community in Knox County, Tennessee, USA. Built in 1838 by physician G. W. Arnold, this house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
context_page_description: Mascot is a census-designated place in Knox County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2010 census.
  Mascot is the site of an underground lime and zinc mine as well as the Midway Quarry. Mascot is home to country singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini.
context_section_description: Early 19th century settlement in the Mascot area may have centered on a ford across the Holston River that was known as Saylor's Ford. In 1838, Dr. George Arnold, a physician and planter, constructed a Georgian-style house known as "Chesterfield" along Old Rutledge Pike in what is now northern Mascot. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1884 a railroad line was constructed through the area and a post office was established under the name "Meek," apparently the surname of a local family.  Knoxville's Daily Sentinel listed Mascot as the name of the new railroad station between McMillians and Strawberry Plains, near the resort Lea's Springs in 1887.
   
  The Mascot community was formed in the early 20th century as a company town centered on the mine. The Holston Zinc Company established a mine locally in 1906, but some mining may have occurred earlier. The "Mascot" name is recorded from as early as 1904. Most suggest the community's name comes from an acronym for "Mining and Smelting Company of Tennessee," while others suggest it was the name of woman's lost cat.
  Mascot is home to a painted landmark known as "Turtle Rock," also known as Dinosaur Rock, Reptile Rock, Rock Monster and The Mascot Monster by locals and tourists. The painted imitation "turtle" rock can be found on Mine Road. This rock is considered an important part of the Mascot community and underwent renovation in May 2012, courtesy of two young locals, in response to vandalism.
  On April 25, 2018 at 3:56 am, a 2.9 magnitude earthquake rattled Mascot and nearby Strawberry Plains. The quake's epicenter was reported near the Legg Creek and Holston River area of Mascot south of Rutledge Pike. About 7 people had reported feeling it.
caption: Chesterfield
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