This huge cross is off of I-75 exit 141 in Campbell County, Tennessee, and stands 101 feet, 6 inches from the ground.

Caryville Cross going up By Adult Store
James Potter's newest cross stands 101 feet, 6 inches from the ground in Caryville.


November 19, 2003

By TIM MILLER
6 News Reporter

CAMPBELL COUNTY (WATE) -- If you drive on Interstate 75 in East Tennessee, you may have seen large white crosses put up by a Scott County man. The surprise about the latest one is what stands next to it.

James Potter's newest cross stands 101 feet, 6 inches from the ground, and it's right off I-75 at exit 141 in Caryville.

The cross couldn't get much closer to Adult World, a store featuring adult videos and an adult arcade.

This is the third cross put up by James Potter. A similar one is on I-75 south, in Loudon County. And a smaller, round-pipe cross is off the interstate in Anderson County.

Potter, a preacher, said he's just trying to spread the word of God. "You know the Bible tells us to stir up their spirit. Well there's no other way you can do it except something big, you know."

Potter said he was planning to put a cross in Campbell County before the adult store moved in. But he said that gave him even more reason. "You have to be pretty brave to go by that cross and go down there and ignore it, if you know anything about it."

The managers of Adult World wouldn't go on camera. But they want to know why Potter doesn't have a permit to put cross by their store.

Caryville officials told Potter to move the cross further from the interstate. But he didn't listen.

Anderson County attorney David Clark has filed a lawsuit against Potter for the smaller cross near Clinton because of a county code saying a structure can't be able to fall onto someone else's property. But Potter is fighting that, too.

Potter said the bottom portion of the cross could be finished on Thursday, weather permitting. But the top portion won't be done for the next four to five days. A crane has to be brought in to install the remaining panels on the cross arm.

Potter figures about 22 million motorists will drive by his Campbell County cross each year.

Each cross costs about $25,000. He's paying for them with his own money and donations from the public.