At the turn of the 20th century, wealthy Knoxvillians vacationed at Fountain City's Fountainhead Hotel which supposedly included a healing mineral spring. Over time, the area grew and fine homes were built. To care for their gardens, prominent Fountain City residents inevitably called upon Clem Essary who arrived in the area during the winter of 1902. Clem was a man of few words yet never
met a stranger and his warm smile made him one of Fountain City's first icons.
Clem's history was quite a riddle; rumor has it it that he was of Spanish descent (others said Portugese) and indeed he was known to be fluent in several languages. Rare at the time, Clem was a college graduate; however, it was the uncomplicated life of a gardener that satisfied Clem. His simple cottage has recently been restored and updated for modern comfort by Pittman Properties.
Legend says that Clem fell ill during the summer of 1942 and left Knoxville; while we can't be certain about when he passed, we are sure that Clem would smile if he could see how his simple home has been restored.
Truly brave souls can place their cursor over the pictures below to see how Clem's home looked before acquisition and renovation by Pittman Properties.
