Fort Craig, which was located on Pistol Creek, was the first settlement in the area which is now the City of Maryville. The fort was built in 1785 to protect settlers from Indian attack. In 1786, the first church was established and constructed of hewn logs.

Maryville is located in Blount County (of which it is the county seat) south of Knoxville along US Highway 411 near Ft Loudoun Lake and Tuckaleechee Caverns. Maryville is part of the Knoxville, Tennessee metro area.