Take a Historic Walk in Downtown Maryville

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

In February, local leaders unveiled a master plan to revitalize Downtown Maryville, focusing on six key goals: economic investment, expanding housing options, creating interconnected public spaces, promoting placemaking, improving connectivity and accessibility, and broadening the customer base. As Downtown Maryville evolves, its historic charm endures. Take a stroll down Broadway and explore the past lives of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Then: New Providence Presbyterian Church

Now: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Location: 314 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN

New Providence Presbyterian Church was one of Maryville’s first two churches. This fourth building, completed in 1893, initially served as a community space known as Columbian Hall from 1893 to 1911. A large Sabbath school annex was added in 1916. In 1953, the congregation moved to its current Gothic-style structure across from Maryville High School. Today, the building houses St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Many of Maryville’s early leaders are buried in the New Providence Church Cemetery, including William Bennet Scott Sr., the first African American to run a newspaper in Tennessee. His paper was Maryville’s only one for a decade. Scott also helped establish the town’s Freedman’s Normal Institute and was elected mayor of Maryville in 1869.

Then: White Star Bus Station

Now: White Star Station (Event Venue)

Location: 133 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN

Built in 1800, this building was partially destroyed by arson in the early 1900s. In 1926, it became home to Maryville’s first bus service, the White Star Bus Line. During the 1930s, it housed a Sterchi Brothers store, a Knoxville-based company that once held the title of the world’s largest furniture chain. In 2015, the building was restored and transformed into a premier event space.

Then: Park Theatre

Now: Bluetick Tavern

Location: 128 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN

This building was originally home to the Park Theatre, one of three theaters in Downtown Maryville. Later, it became the fourth and final location of Roy’s Record Shop, a beloved hub for music enthusiasts, operating from 1965 until its closing in 2007. It’s now Bluetick Tavern, a popular spot for pizza, burgers, and drinks.

Then: WA Dunlap Building

Now: The Capitol Theatre

Location: 127 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN

This site was originally the WA Dunlap Building, built around 1910, and home to the Bogle McCammon Furniture Co. and Undertaking establishment. Later, the J.C. Penney Company leased the space until 1934, when the Crescent Amusement Company, which owned theaters throughout the South, constructed the Capitol Theatre. It became the largest movie house in downtown Maryville, with seating for nearly 1,000 people.

The Capitol Theatre closed in the 1970s, and various tenants followed, including a record shop, disco, wedding dress store, and sports collectibles shop. In 2008, the theater was revived and is now an award-winning event space, featuring an art deco coffee shop and ice cream parlor.

Then: Bank of Maryville

Now: Available for lease

Location: 131 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN

This building was the third home of the Bank of Maryville, established in 1885 to support the growing banking needs of Maryville College, which was one of the town’s largest institutions at the time. The bank later merged with the Bank of Blount County, located nearby at 101-103 W Broadway Ave. In the 1980s, it became First Tennessee Bank, eventually rebranding as First Horizon Bank in 2019.

Then: Federal Building

Now: Office building

Location: 201 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN

This was Blount County’s first federal building, serving as the Main Post Office from 1917 to 1962 and then as a branch from 1962 to 1990. In 1935, it became the first headquarters for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most recently, it was home to a family dentistry practice.

Then: Maryville’s Public Library

Now: Dandy Lions Gifts

Location: 300 E. Church St., Maryville, TN

Built in 1917, this served as Maryville’s first library building. In 1931, it was dedicated to the late mayor A.K. Harper. It continued to house Blount County’s Public Library until 1981, when a larger building was occupied. Then, the American Red Cross moved in and remained until 2006. Since 2007, the former library has belonged to Dandy Lions Gifts. Two concrete lions, installed by the current owner, serve as a reminder of the building’s past.

Do you have a favorite memory in Downtown Maryville? We’d love to hear about it. Be sure to tag us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).

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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.