Historic JonesboroughJanuary 2008
All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2008 - present
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Today Jonesborough is a beautifully maintained town whose historic buildings reflect many years of care and preservation. There is no sense that this town has been "restored". It seems and for the most part has been "maintained" throughout its 2+ century history. The downtown area has many businesses, restaurants and activities. Just walking through the town and its neighborhoods can consume most of a days' visit. See below for descriptions of some of Jonesborough's buildings, businesses and historical sites. |
The Chester InnThe Chester Inn was built in 1797 by Dr. William Chester of Pennsylvania. It is known as the first boarding house in eastern Tennessee. The porch and front facade were rebuilt in 1883 and "the structure has been continuously occupied as an inn, a hotel, and an apartment building" (see Chester Inn link below"). United States Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson have stayed here as has John Sevier who was governor of the state of Franklin and Tennessee’s first governor. Today it is a part in the International Storytelling Center. |
The Salt House"Salt, essential for curing meat was in short supply during the Civil War even though the saltworks in Virginia were not too far away. In January 1864, the county purchased 4500 dollars' worth of salt and appointed someone to distribute it. The price was fifteen dollars per sack . . .The salt was stored in this building" Their website (see link below) states: "The SaltHouse in Historic Jonesborough is currently undergoing renovations. It will re-open in the winter of 2008 as a fine dining restaurant." |
The Christopher Taylor HouseThe Christopher Taylor house is the oldest house in Jonesborough. It was moved from a location just outside of town. Its historical marker reads: "About one mile southwest of this location this log house was built in 1777 by this office who was a veteran of the French and Indian War and a major in the American Revolutionary War. He is buried in the family cemetery nearby. Andrew Jackson lived here in 1788-89 while practicing law in Jonesborough. The house was moved intact to this site in 1974 to preserve it from demolition." See the link at the end of this article to a vintage postcard of the Taylor House in its original location. |
Sisters Row"After losing his Pennsylvania mercantile fortune through his involvement with financier Robert Morris, in 1801 Mr. Samuel D. Jackson purchased large parcels of land and moved his to east Tennessee. "In the 1820's Mr. Jackson built Sisters' Row for his daughters, Susan, Eliza, Caroline and Harriett. It was designed as a Philadelphia style row house containing three separate units, with Elijah Embree as general contractor and John Smith, subcontractor. . .  . . .The porches were added in the 1880s. Three of the daughters became Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Aikens, and Mrs. Ross (later Mrs. Wall) and, after their marriages, eventually established their own homes. "Their brother, Alfred E. Jackson, was among Jonesborough's prominent businessmen who took out stock in the ETN & VA Railroad in the 1840s. (see photo below of article about Alfred Jackson in the window of the Sisters Row Building) ~ RootsWeb.com article about Sisters Row in Jonesborough (see link below) |
The Sweet Shop and The International Storytelling CenterThe International Storytelling Center was founded by Jimmie Neil Smith in 1973 and will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year. It is open year 'round and hosts up to 10,000 visitors on the first full weekend of October for the International Storytelling Festival. (see links below for more information) The Old Sweet Shop building was once home to the only lodge in America with its founding documents, its dispensation and its charter, signed by a United States president, Andrew Jackson. Today it is the Old Sweet Shop Restaurant. 
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The Washington County CourthouseJonesborough is the county seat of Washington County. It was founded in 1779 as part of North Carolina and was named after North Carolina legislator, Willie Jones, who was a supporter of North Carolina's westward expansion Mountains. The courthouse was built in 1913, the 6th one to have been built on the site. The monument was erected in 1930 as a part of the town's and county's 150th anniversary celebration. It commemorates some of Jonesborough's firsts; the first governmental division to be named after George Washington, the first town in Tennessee and the first capital of the State of Franklin. |
The Parson's Table & The Lt. Alfred Martin Ray HouseThe Parson's Table is the Old First Christian Church and was completed in 1874. For several years it was a popular restaurant in the region but was sold and re-opened as a catering and special events center. "On July 1, 1898, Lt. (Alfred Martin) Ray planted the United States flag on San Juan Hill, Cuba, amid a hail of enemy bullets during the Spanish-American War. For his heroic courage in action, Ray received a battlefield promotion. He served in the U.S. Army from 1872 to 1903, first in the Indian Wars as a Buffalo Soldier, (10th U.S. Cavalry. Colored), later in Cuba and the Philippines. Born a slave on he Ray farm near Jonesboro, he purchased Woodrow Avenue property in 1904. Alfred M. Ray is buried in College Hill Cemetery." (RootsWeb.com see link below) 
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Bed and Breakfasts and downtown shopsJonesborough is home to many long-establish Bed and Breakfast hotels including the Blair-Moore House, The Hawley House, The Eureka Inn, Rose Hill B&B, Febuary Hill, The Old Mill B&B, the Mohler Guest House, and the Cherokee Mountain Llama B&B. Find links to theses Bed and Breakfasts below. 
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More Jonesborough ShopsJonesborough is home to many restaurants and shops, most housed in historic buildings. Shown below, Dogwood Lane Fine Food & Catering, is one of the popular restaurants in town. 
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Jonesborough Visitors CenterThe Jonesborough Visitors Center greets over 100,000 visitors each year. It is also home to a winter concert series and has a small museum and gift shop. Stop by to pick up maps and brochures od the area. 
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