Alcoa

The neighborhood of Eagleton in Alcoa, Tennessee has a classic Americana origin story. The hydroelectric potential of the nearby Little Tennessee River meant that the town was a prime location for an aluminum factory. The neighborhood grew up around housing established for workers at the Aluminum Company of America, or Alcoa, plant as they returned from World War II. Today, the company maintains an office in its namesake city, and people and businesses from the town’s founding days remain in this 3-square-mile neighborhood. “Eagleton is a small neighborhood right on the edge of Maryville,” says Realtor Mark McCormick, a life-long area resident. “It’s close to Maryville, it’s close to Knoxville. The village is full of nice little homes and it’s close to everything you could want.” From the events centers of downtown Maryville and Knoxville to the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, Eagleton residents can experience all that the Volunteer State has to offer. The flat, orderly streets of Eagleton were designed before driving cars became ubiquitous, so there are few sidewalks. Brick ranch-style homes with three bedrooms are priced around $215,000, while newly-constructed four-bedroom Modern Traditional houses can reach up to $450,000. “The houses for the most part are older homes,” McCormick says. “You don’t have sprawling acreage, but a lot of them have been revitalized.” The houses sit on modest lots, surrounded by the occasional old-growth cottonwood and maple trees. There are swing sets in yards, flags on poles and the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance. Students in Eagleton can begin at Eagleton Elementary, which scores a B from Niche. Eagleton Elementary works with community sponsors for a One Book Blitz program where students participate in an entire month of events centered around classic children’s literature such as Charlotte’s Web. They move to Eagleton Middle School, which also earns a B and where students can participate in Bassmaster fishing tournaments. Eagleton students are zoned for Heritage High School, which receives a B-minus. Heritage High School recently updated their football field, and the swim team placed at the state championships. Eagleton Park provides a green escape directly in the neighborhood. This pocket park offers basketball courts, playgrounds, charcoal grills for cookouts and over a mile of paved walking trails winding through the trees. The Eagleton Ballpark, where residents meet up for practice or to participate in weekend tournaments and rec leagues, is right next door to the park. “Eagleton Ballpark has been around for 60-plus years,” McCormick says. “They just got a $2 million grant to redo it, add new concessions and all that. It’s a big draw.” The main thoroughfare of Eagleton, East Broadway, runs north and south almost down the middle of the neighborhood. Locals shop for groceries at either Food Lion or Food City and can head 3 miles down to the Big Lots on South Hall Road. Eagleton is a hub of old-school businesses. Stevenson’s Tire has been a local auto parts staple for 60 years, and Richy Kreme Donuts has been open for 70 years. These veteran businesses are just blocks away from newer standouts like Aroma Café Cuban and La Lupita Mexican Store and Restaurant. East Broadway is the main road of Eagleton, connecting the village to Maryville 4 miles south. Heading 5 miles west on East Hunt Road brings residents to McGhee Tyson Airport. East Broadway transitions to Old Knoxville Highway leaving Eagleton, and locals can get to Knoxville by following this road 13 miles north. Eagleton residents are just 3 miles from all the excitement of Maryville, Tennessee. “Downtown Maryville has some stores, nice restaurants, they have a farmer’s market every Saturday throughout the warmer months,” McCormick adds. “There’s street fairs, music festivals and the Capitol Theater has an incredible ice cream parlor attached to it that’s filled with movie memorabilia.” Eagleton is also a short 13-mile drive from downtown Knoxville. Maryville’s recent expansion has meant steady population growth in Eagleton. “We do have some new construction, but it’s not much,” McCormick says. “You might find a couple of lots here and there, but Eagleton is mostly developed. People are flooding to the area, so there’s a ton of competition in the market.” Despite the boom, Eagleton retains its identity as a humble mid-century neighborhood, preserving its history while welcoming newcomers to its quiet suburban streets.