The Wild Frontier

Ranger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred reunite with Isaac White (Crockett Tavern, Morristown) and Dalton Wade (Friends Group VP) to debrief their 9-day, 2,700-mile road trip retracing David Crockett's journey from his Tennessee birthplace to the Alamo; arriving in time for the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo on March 6th. The Route:Murfreesboro, TN — Crockett's early political careerLawrenceburg, TN — David Crockett State Park, the magistrate's office reconstruction, and a lakeside cabin (everything else: under renovation)Memphis, TN — Filmed the "Y'all can go to hell, I'm going to Texas" speech on the DeSoto Bridge; released as Gone to TexasLittle Rock, AR — The "David vs. Davy" debate at the riverfront, inspired by the 1835 Arkansas GazetteDeKalb, TX — Filmed on school property; the cop who showed up ended up asking for a photo and screaming "Remember the Alamo!" out his windowNacogdoches, TX — Old Stone Fort Museum, site of Crockett's Oath of Allegiance; battled city buses, school groups, and a kid who mistook Fred for Indiana JonesCrockett, TX — Dinner at the Davy Crockett Grill (in-house pork rinds, a coonskin cap on the door, and a two-pound "Mr. Crockett" burger)San Antonio, TX (3 days) — Held a first-edition Narrative with Crockett's handwritten letter; watched Alamo: The Price of Freedom; visited the San Fernando Cathedral; ran the mobile homestead exhibit all day at the 190th dawn ceremony; Isaac stood with Crockett descendants for the wreath-laying; bagpipes played Amazing Grace; Ranger Thomas gave an epic speech and bestowed the Crockett stone to the alamo... and yes, the boys sparred (verbally) with Santa AnnaSan Felipe de Austin, TX — One of the best stops: living history interpreters, a printing press, touch-screen exhibits, and Travis's legal paperworkSan Jacinto, TX — The monument, Charlton Heston's intro film, Jean Lafitte's sword, and filming in the oak grove on the Texian encampment siteLafayette, LA — Crawfish étouffée at Prejean's; survived a hurricane warning, a broken elevator, and a flooded parking lot (and rescued a mama crawfish!)Fort Mims & Tallushatchee, AL — Creek War sites; left a sweet potato memorial in honor of Crockett's infamous taters; Fred nearly knocked down the fortMontgomery, AL — Final overnight; and... Fred got his McDonald'sHighlights A French tourist called Fred a hillbilly. Fred accidentally flipped off half of Arkansas. A man in Crockett, TX assumed Fred owned the restaurant. Isaac stood beside Crockett descendants at the Alamo dawn ceremony. The trip's soundtrack: Fat Bottomed Girls, Free Bird, and Another One Bites the Dust — every. single. day.Park Update: ~$62M approved for the David Crockett Birthplace rebirth. Funds unlock July 2026. Groundbreaking expected late 2027/early 2028. Follow all road trip videos on the park's Facebook and Instagram.Links:Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/Park website: tnstateparks.com → David Crockett BirthplaceThe Crockett Tavern: https://crocketttavernmuseum.org/"Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." – David Crockett

Ranger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred are hitting the road to San Antonio! Joined by Isaac White (Crockett portrayer of the Crockett Tavern Museum) and Dalton Wade (Vice President of the Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park), they preview their nine-day pilgrimage retracing Crockett's footsteps from his Tennessee birthplace to the Alamo.In this episode:2026 marks the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo, Crockett's 240th birthday, and America's 250th anniversaryFull itinerary: Birthplace → Crockett Tavern → Murfreesboro → Lawrenceburg → Memphis → Little Rock → Nacogdoches → Crockett, TX → Washington-on-the-Brazos → San AntonioThe park will gift a piece of the birthplace to the Alamo, cementing the bond between the two sitesDiscussion of Crockett's real life: his opposition to the Indian Removal Bill, his falling out with Andrew Jackson, and what drove him to TexasThe rebirth of David Crockett Birthplace State Park after Hurricane Helene (Sept. 2024) — the mobile homestead trailer as a symbol of frontier resiliencePlans to raise funds for museum interpretation via the Go Ahead FundLinks:Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/Park website: tnstateparks.com → David Crockett BirthplaceThe Crockett Tavern: https://crocketttavernmuseum.org/"Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." – David Crockett

The Wild Frontier Podcast – Episode 5: The Alamo & David's LegacyRecorded on location at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Limestone, TennesseeHosts: Ranger Thomas & Nolichucky FredEpisode SummaryRanger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred follow David Crockett on his final journey — from his famous "Y'all may all go to hell, I'm going to Texas" speech in Memphis to the fateful morning of March 6, 1836. They explore the Texas Revolution, the legends and mysteries of the Alamo, and Crockett's enduring legacy in American culture.Topics CoveredThe Texas Revolution – Conflict between Anglo-American settlers, Tejanos, and Santa Anna's government, fueled by the abolition of the 1824 Constitution, immigration restrictions, and religious tensions.David's Journey to Texas – Crockett's celebrated stop in Little Rock (November 1835), where newspaper accounts of Sam Houston's call to arms may have changed his plans from land-seeking to revolution.Into Texas – Crockett names the town of De Kalb, hunts buffalo near Clarksville, and writes home calling Texas "the garden spot of the world."The Oath of Allegiance – In Nacogdoches (January 1836), Crockett refuses to sign until the oath is amended to guarantee a Republican government.The Alamo – Crockett arrives with a small band, joins Travis and Bowie, and gives a speech pledging to defend "the liberties of our common country" as a "high private."The 13-Day Siege – Santa Anna lays siege. Travis notes Crockett was "seen at all points animating the men." The hosts discuss Louis Rose — reportedly the one man who left — and the mystery of how many defenders actually remained.The Fall (March 6, 1836) – The pre-dawn assault ends the siege. Conflicting accounts of Crockett's fate — fighting to the last, captured, or executed — mean the full truth may never be known.David's Legacy & Pop Culture – From the 1848 fictionalized Colonel Crockett's Exploits (panned by Edgar Allan Poe) to the Davy Crockett almanacs, and the explosion sparked by Disney's King of the Wild Frontier (1955). Films discussed include the 1960 John Wayne Alamo and Billy Bob Thornton's 2004 version.Coming UpThe crew heads to San Antonio to retrace Crockett's steps for the 190th Anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. Next episode features the road trip crew ahead of the pilgrimage.Connect with the ParkJoin the Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park – Facebook: Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/Park Website: tnstateparks.com → David Crockett Birthplace"Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." — David Crockett

The Wild Frontier – Episode 4: David Crockett's Life in CongressRecorded at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Limestone, TennesseeRanger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred trace Crockett's journey from the Tennessee frontier to Congress — and his eventual departure for Texas.Topics covered:Recap of Crockett's early life: the Creek War, personal loss, financial ruin, and rescue from the MississippiElection to Congress (1827) as a populist outsider; earning the nickname "The Gentleman from the Cane"Culture shock in Washington — backroom deals, elite social circles, and Crockett's refusal to changeOpposition to the Indian Removal Act (1830) — the only Tennessee congressman to vote against itPolitical fallout, national celebrity, and the play The Lion of the WestHis autobiography (1834) and the Whig-sponsored Northern Tour through Philadelphia, New York, and MassachusettsThe 1835 campaign against one-legged Creek War veteran Adam Huntsman — lost by just 252 votesFarewell at McCool's Tavern in Memphis: "You may all go to hell, and I'm going to Texas."Next episode: The Alamo, March 1836.--- Park info: tnstateparks.com - David Crockett Birthplace State Park Join the Friends group on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/"Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." - David Crockett

**The Wild Frontier | Episode 3: David Crockett's Middle LifeRecorded on location at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Limestone, TennesseeRanger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred trace how war, loss, and politics forged Crockett from frontier boy into American legend.Topics covered:The Creek War & War of 1812 – The Fort Mims massacre, Crockett's enlistment as the 18th volunteer, and his role primarily as a hunter and scout rather than a frontline soldier.Battle of Tallushatchee (Nov. 3, 1813) – Crockett's first taste of battle, told through his own chilling 1834 narrative — including the desperate hunger and infamous potatoes that followed.Loss & remarriage – The death of first wife Polly, his practical marriage to widow Elizabeth Patton, and a near-death bout with malaria that left Elizabeth thinking he was dead.Rise in politics – From Justice of the Peace to state legislator, Crockett built his political brand on frontier relatability, tall tales, and stumping tactics like memorizing opponents' speeches.Financial ruin & resilience – A flood wipes out his mills while he's in the legislature. Elizabeth's advice: "Just pay up as long as you have a bit's worth in the world, and we will scuffle for more."Road to Congress – A near-drowning on the Mississippi and a key Memphis benefactor help turn his fortunes around. In 1827, Crockett wins his seat in Congress.Next episode: Crockett's congressional career and the road to San Antonio de Bexar."Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." — David Crocketttnstateparks.com → David Crockett BirthplaceJoin the Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park at Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/

**The Wild Frontier | Episode 2: David Crockett's Early Life (Part 1 of 3)Recorded on location at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Limestone, TennesseeJoin Ranger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred for the first of a four-part biography of America's greatest folk hero. This episode traces the Crockett family from David's father John through David's turbulent early years on the frontier.In this episode:John Crockett's origins — Scots-Irish roots, Revolutionary War service at Kings Mountain, and the family's westward migrationsThe Cherokee Raids (1777) — A Chickamauga attack kills David's grandparents, wounds his uncle Joseph, and leaves uncle James a 17-year captiveDavid's birth (August 17, 1786) — Born along the Nolichucky River during the short-lived State of Franklin political movementDavid's first memory — A runaway canoe heading for Crockett Shoals and a neighbor's daring river rescueLife at the family tavern — John's land deals, civic roles, and the roadside tavern serving drovers and travelers on the Virginia wagon roadAdventures away from home — A cattle drive to Virginia at 12, a near-escape to London on a ship in Baltimore, and multiple great escapes before returning home at 15Love and marriage — Two heartbreaks before meeting Polly Finley at a harvest festival; they marry August 16, 1805 — the day before his 20th birthdayThe Creek War (1813) — Fort Mims massacre prompts David to volunteer, captured in his own words from his 1834 autobiographyNext Episode: David fights in the Creek War, returns to tragedy, enters politics, and heads to Washington, D.C. tnstateparks.com -- David Crockett Birthplace State Park- Join the Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/"Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." — David Crockett

**The Wild Frontier | Episode 1: Welcome to the Wild FrontierRecorded at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Limestone, TennesseeHosts Ranger Thomas and Nolichucky Fred kick off The Wild Frontier — a podcast celebrating the life and legend of David Crockett and the park that bears his name.In this episode:Park update after Hurricane Helene (September 2024): the Crockett Shoals Overlook Trail is open, and a new monthly Hike Through the Birthplace program has launchedThe park's mission: to preserve Crockett's legacy, protect natural and cultural resources, and provide engaging outdoor experiencesMeet the hosts — two lifelong history lovers and living history reenactors who share why they do what they doWhat makes Crockett timeless: his storytelling, wit, tenacity, and unwavering care for his fellow manPreview of Episode 2: a full Crockett biography deep diveStay connected:Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park — Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/479055350053156/tnstateparks.com → David Crockett Birthplace"Be always sure you're right, then go ahead." — David Crockett