Customs House, Knoxville

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The Old Customs House is a historic building at 601 South Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Construction was completed in 1874, when this became the city's first federal building. It housed the federal courts, excise offices and post office until 1933. From 1936 to 1976, it was used by the Tennessee Valley Authority for offices.

The U.S. Customs House was built at a time when Congress was petitioned by cities across the country to provide courtrooms and post offices. Congress was reluctant to provide funding for buildings that only contained judicial and postal functions, so the title Customs House was added. Congress was viewed as more agreeable to providing construction funding if excise taxes collected from foreign imports were linked to projects, since taxes generated revenue.

This is now known as the East Tennessee Historical Center, and is part of the Knoxville Library system. It's mission now includes historic research, and it is known for it's extensive genealogical collection. It also houses the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection and the Knox County Archives.

The building was designed was by Alfred B. Mullett (1834-1890), the U.S. government chief architect. The style is Neoclassical Italianate, and it is sheathed in East Tennessee marble. The former third floor courtroom is notable for it's neoclassical detailing. Portions of the building are open to the public.



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