S12. E48. 11.29.2025

The History of Tamales in Knoxville with Historian Jack Neely, Executivee Director of The Knoxville History Project. The “former Mary's Hot Tamales" memory by Fred Sauceman.

“A Knoxville Tamale Tale” with Jack Neely. Jack shares the rich history of the tamale in Knoxville. It's not all ham, soup beans and sorghum in the culinary history of East Tennessee. Jack shares the rich tamale history dating back to as early as 1890. Jack is the Executive Director of the Knoxville History Project.

Fred Sauceman offers up a Knoxville food history memory involving sisters Clara Robinson and Mary Manuel who made and sold Hot Tamales on Magnolia, Avenue in Knoxville at the former "Mary's Hot Tamales", in his “Pot Luck Radio segment.

Details of the Knoxville History Project annual holiday evening.

The Knoxville History Project is hosting their annual holiday evening Tuesday, December 9, 6-7 p.m. at Maple Hall Bowling Ally (in the upstairs bar area) where they will say a few words about Knoxville Christmas and they will have all of their publications and stocking stuffers there for sale. They also make welcome two speakers, both of whom have published recent books for children. Wesley Bennett is the author of the unique and colorful book, The Kitty of Knoxville; Mike McDonough has a book about Washington’s Secretary of War, Henry Knox, called “Why Is My City Called Knoxville?”

Links: Link to a story Jack Neely wrote that shares history of the former “Mary’s Hot Tamales” which was operated by sisters, Mary Manuel and Clara Robinson. https://monkeyfire.com/mpol/dir_zine/dir_1999/910/t_secret.html

http://knoxvillehistoryproject.org/

Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman