NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — You probably know Tennessee’s state flag features a Tristar circle, but what about the state beverage? Or wild animal?
The Volunteer State has adopted many symbols and honors throughout the years that are representative of Tennessee.
6 News’ sister station, WKRN, has compiled a list that details how and why some of the symbols came to be associated with the state. A few may even surprise you!
State Flag
Adopted in 1905, the flag features three stars representing the grand divisions of the state: East, Middle and West.
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According to the State Blue Book, the flag was designed by Captain LeRoy Reeves, a first captain of the Tennessee National Guard. It was reportedly first flown over what is now East Tennessee State University in Reeves’ hometown of Johnson City.
State Amphibian
Yes, you read that correctly. Tennessee declared an official state amphibian in 1995. The Tennessee Cave Salamander has three red external gills, a broad, flat head with small eyes and a tail fin. It is most often found in limestone caves that contain streams in central and southeast Tennessee.
State beverage
Move over whiskey! Milk received the official stamp as a state symbol in 2009. The state’s Blue Book reports that Tennessee’s dairy industry produced nearly 100 million pounds of milk in 2007, with cash receipts for milk and milk products totaling nearly $202 million.
State wildflowers
Tennessee has two official wildflowers. In 1919, the General Assembly determined that a state flower should be chosen by schoolchildren in the Volunteer State. According to the State Blue Book, the passion flower was chosen, commonly known as the “maypop, the wild apricot, and the ocoee.”…