Storytelling Capital

A NATIONAL TRUST 

DISTINCTIVE DESTINATION 

Storytelling Capital 

of the World

Mauk’s of Jonesborough 

A history as rich as the treasures in it. 

Mauk’s of Jonesborough, Circa 1879. 

At Mauk’s, we invite you to come and sit a 

spell, maybe even swap a story or two. 

Like the one about our building 

in downtown Historic 

Jonesborough. 

It’s true, our store was once 

a post office, a doctor’s office, a 

barber shop, a taxi stand, a clothing 

store, and was at one time the 

oldest drugstore in Tennessee. It’s 

even true that the structure once 

burned down in December of 1873. 

In a town rich with pride and legacy, 

the Mauk’s name still stands strong. 

Today, our store remains a centerpiece of 

Jonesborough. 

Mauk’s is an exclusive dealer of 

Ekornes Stressless® Chairs and sofas, so 

when you come in, you’ll more than likely 

want to sit down and experience the 

warmth and unique 

experience our store 

has to offer. 

We also carry Uwharrie® Chairs, 

Howard Miller® clocks, Tilley® hats, 

Byers Choice® figurines, Willow Tree® 

collectibles, plus Watkins® Extracts and 

Lampe Berger® fragrance lamps and 

oils and much more. 

2 

An Eclectic Shopping Experience • Home of the Most Comfortable Chairs in the World 

One-O-One W. Main St. • Jonesborough, TN 

2014–2015 Jonesborough Visitors Guide 

Call 423-753-4648 • Email Save@Mauks.com • Visit us at Mauks.com

Jonesborough 

HISTORIC 

TENNESSEE • 1 7 7 9 

Storytelling Capital of the World 

Photo: Mountain Photographics Inc. 

What A STORY We Have to Tell! (pages 4-5) 

Enchanting Tales 

What to Do.....................................................................page 7-13 

Where to Shop.............................................................page 13-15 

Gathering Tales 

Where to Eat................................................................page 16-17 

Where to Meet and Celebrate.........................................page 18-19 

Inviting Tales 

Where to Stay...............................................................page 20-23 

Wandering Tales 

Where We Are/ Where to Go/Surrounding Activities..........page 24-27 

More to Tell 

Business Listings.........................................................page 28-31 

On the cover: Photo of Jonesborough by Jay Huron, casesensitivephotos.com. Photo of Donald Davis by 

Fresh Air Photo, freshairphoto.com 

Welcome to the birthplace and home of the National Storytelling Festival 

and International Storytelling Center. We are honored to be the Storytelling 

Capital of the World and Tennessee’s oldest town, where tall tales have been 

told for more than 225 years. Please come and visit–stay a day, a week, or 

forever–and take home a tale. 

Visitors Center Information 

Visitors are encouraged to make their first stop in town at 117 Boone Street, 

the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center and History Museum. Friendly 

hostesses are available Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 

10 a.m.–5 p.m. with tour information, directions, and entertainment schedules, 

along with shopping, lodging and dining opportunities. Take a gentle walk 

through the historic district with our self–guided strolling tour, containing over 

40 historical landmarks, or enjoy a guided tour with Positive Solutions. 

Please contact us: Phone Toll Free 866-401-4223 • Fax: 423-753-1020 

historicjonesborough.com • 117 Boone Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659 

info@historicjonesborough.com 

Other Jonesborough honors include: Being the first 

town in Tennessee to be listed on the National Register of 

Historic Places, being designated a Tree City USA town, 

being recognized by the White House as a Preserve America 

Community, and having received the Dozen Distinctive 

Destination Award from the National Trust for Historic 

Preservation. The town was also home to the maker of the 

great Tennessee State Seal. 

Historic Jonesborough, Tennessee • historicjonesborough.com 

Helping people protect, enhance and 

enjoy the places that matter to them. 

For complete visitor 

information on Tennessee, 

call 800-GO2-TENN or log 

on to tnvacation.com. 

3

Where 

Jonesborough’s Story 

“It had an old-fashioned air, as if the people who built 

it intended to live there for the rest of their days.” 

– Harper’s Magazine, 1857 

Begins 

4 

Jonesborough’s tale begins over 

two centuries before the National 

Storytelling Festival. Storytelling was 

not the only first for Jonesborough–its 

historic district was among the first 

from Tennessee to be listed on the 

National Register of Historic Places, the 

county was the first district to be named 

in honor of George Washington, the 

first publisher of a periodical devoted 

exclusively to abolishing slavery was 

located here, and Jonesborough is the 

first and only home of the National 

Storytelling Festival. Stories make up 

the fabric of Jonesborough, and stories 

are a living oral tradition, history, and 

part of the town’s future. 

In the 1700s, there were tales of 

fertile lands that circulated in the 

eastern colonies of America and drew 

immigrants to places in and around 

what would become Jonesborough. Such 

rumors led hundreds from Virginia, 

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and from 

overseas to travel the Great Stage Road. 

They came in sturdy wagons pulled by 

oxen, in Concord coaches, or simply on 

horseback, with little more than what 

could be carried in saddlebags. 

Our stories, even today, are the 

undeniable remnants of these daring 

times. Here in Jonesborough, our stories 

speak of governments which rose and 

fell, duels were fought, and men died in 

battle. Daniel Boone trekked through 

these parts, and other men destined for 

greatness dwelt here. These men were 

Taken at Old Mill Spring for postcard advertisement of Jonesborough Homecoming in 1912. Left to right, 

Mrs. Eliza Murphy, Mrs. D.T. Wilds, Mrs. Mary Dosser, Mrs. S.J. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. M.S. Mahoney. It was 

rumored that everyone who drank the water from the Old Mill Spring would return to Jonesborough. 

considered rebels in the day, but are now 

the heroes of generations. Our nation 

was rising up, and Jonesborough played a 

major part in it all. 

Pioneer Rebels with 

an Independent Cause 

In 1772, people living on the Watauga and 

Nolichucky Rivers were uncertain if they 

were living in Virginia or North Carolina. 

They formed the Watauga Association, 

referred to by Theodore Roosevelt as “the 

first American-born men to establish a free 

The town of Jonesborough was named in 

honor of Willie (pronounced Wiley) Jones. 


An artist’s drawing of Jonesborough’s first courthouse. 

and independent community on this continent.” 

This form of government worked for 

several years; however, it was in violation 

of King George’s Proclamation of October 

7, 1763. 

On July 5, 1776, a mere day after the 

Declaration of Independence was signed, 

the Watauga Association sent a petition to 

the Provincial Council of North Carolina. It 

stated that they had established a District 

with a court and a militia. A year later 

the General Assembly of North Carolina 

formed the District into the county of 

Washington. 

North Carolina passed an enabling act 

where 100 acres of land would be reserved 

for the courthouse and public buildings 

of Washington County and a town 

established. Jonesborough was named 

after Willie (pronounced Wiley) Jones, 

a prominent patriot and statesmen who 

always supported matters in the assembly 

of people in the West.

Freedom Rebels 

with a Lost Cause 

During and after the Revolutionary War, 

a new breed of settlers made their homes 

along the Holston, Nolichucky, and 

Watauga Rivers in what is now Northeast 

Tennessee. These tough, staunch 

believers in freedom remembered the 

sacrifices they had made on behalf 

of North Carolina–fighting at King’s 

Mountain to defend the 13 colonies. 

When the North Carolina Assembly began 

to lay claim to these same settlers’ lands, 

many were upset and refused to pay taxes. 

So it happened that on a hot steamy 

day in August of 1784, delegates from 

the farms and townships of three 

counties gathered for a convention in 

Jonesborough’s courthouse. A crowd 

waited anxiously outside as hours of 

deliberation ensued. Eventually, the 

doors to the log structure slowly opened, 

and a delegate stepped forward to read a 

proclamation. It had been decided that 

the three counties represented would 

separate from North Carolina and become 

an independent state. Cheers and shouts 

went up from many of the bystanders. 

But some shook their heads in disbelief. 

They did not want to form a separate 

state; they wished to remain a part of 

North Carolina. All was not well. 

In the months that followed, more 

conventions were held. The new 

government was called Franklin, in 

honor of the noted statesman Benjamin 

Franklin of Pennsylvania, and the 

military hero John Sevier was elected 

governor. Dissenters to the new state 

followed John Tipton, who established 

a militia that worked to usurp the new 

state in the name of North Carolina. 

In the late 1780s, the state of Franklin 

was ceded to a new federal government 

known as the Southwest Territory, 

eventually to become a part of the state 

of Tennessee. Although the “Lost State 

of Franklin,” as it is now often called, 

did not survive, its history is a part of 

the colorful legacy of Jonesborough. 

Abolitionist Rebels 

with a Good Cause 

As Jacob Howard stooped over his 

worktable, he knew another edition of 

The Emancipator would soon be printed 

in Jonesborough. Elihu Embree, a local 

iron entrepreneur, was the editor and 

financier. The newspaper published 

letters, articles, and poetry that 

explained how slavery was wrong. 

It particularly caused a stir when it 

first appeared in April of 1820. It was so 

popular that circulation grew to nearly 

2,000 readers by October 1820. Jacob and 

Elihu were so excited about the paper’s 

popularity that copies were mailed to 

every governor in the South. 

The son of a Quaker, Elihu had once 

owned slaves himself, but in 1812, he 

decided slavery was inhumane and 

immoral and became an enthusiastic 

worker for abolition. 

His home located near Jonesborough 

is believed to have been part of the 

“Underground Railroad.” 

Although The Emancipator was 

published for only seven months, the 

paper’s existence was a significant 

part of the abolitionist movement. The 

publication ceased when Elihu Embree 

died in the fall of 1820. The last edition 

was distributed on October 30, 1820. 

This building housed “The Emancipator,” a 

periodical devoted to the abolition of slavery. 

A Tale for Every Season 

The town of Jonesborough produces a number of 

special events throughout the year. We hope you’ll 

come back to enjoy these award–winning festivals. 

SPRING 

Easter Eggstravaganza 

Traditional egg hunt with Easter bunny & games. 

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre 

For performances visit jonesboroughtheatre.com. 

Music on the Square 

Free music on Main Street every Friday night 

May–September. 

Spring Town-Wide Yard Sale 

Unique treasures throughout the Historic District 

Garden Gala 

Tour elegant gardens, attend plant clinics, 

seminars, and tea. 

Wetlands Water Park Opens 

Slides, water buckets, rain tree, and lazy river. 

SUMMER 

Storytelling Live! 

Weekly featured teller Tuesday thru Saturday, 

May–October. 

Jonesborough Days Festival 

Patriotic festival with fireworks, parade, music, 

crafters, and more. 



QuiltFest 

Hoffman Challenge Exhibit, classes, and lectures. 

Labor Day Concert 

Free holiday concert. 

FALL 

Fall Town-Wide Yard Sale 

Unique treasures throughout the Historic District 

Fine Art in the Park 

A carefully chosen group of artists, representing 

many types of fine art with handcrafted items, 

will showcase their items for sale. 



National Storytelling Festival 

World’s most dynamic event offering 

a wide variety of artists. 

Halloween Haunts & Happenings 

Trick or treating, games, scary stories, costume 

contest, and more. 

WINTER 



Christmas in Olde Jonesborough 

Lighting of the Tree, St. Nick Nights Toy Drive, Late 

night shopping, Historic Homes Progressive Dinner 

(Heritage Alliance Fundraiser), Craft Show, Holiday 

Tree Exhibit, Holiday Tour of Homes, At Home with 

Santa (free children’s event), Parade. 

Historic Historic Jonesborough, Jonesborough, Tennessee Tennessee • historicjonesborough.com 

• 5

A Special Welcome from 

Washington County, Tennessee 

The first Courthouse to be built in what became 

the state of Tennessee was erected 

on this location in 1779. The Town of 

Jonesborough grew up around subsequent 

Washington County Courthouses, all of which 

stood on this public lot. As the seat of county 

government, Jonesborough lured lawyers, 

physicians and other prominent businessmen. 

By the mid 19th century, Jonesborough was 

a thriving center of commerce, connected by 

road and rail to the rest of the nation. Always 

the town’s anchor, Courthouse Square was the 

gathering place for businessmen who resided 

in town, as well as the farming communities 

located throughout the region. The steps of 

the Courthouse have seen livestock sales and 

trades, political speeches, numerous arguments, 

and demonstrations such as the Prohibition 

March in 1888. 

Early members of the Washington County Court. 

Jonesborough Courthouse Square and Cherokee Street, circa 1900, 

Crafty Peddler (Mail Pouch building) and Mauk’s still stand on Cherokee 

Street today. 

6 

P.O. Box 219 Jonesborough, TN 37659 • washingtoncountytn.com 


Photo: Mountain Photographics Inc.

Wetlands 

Water Park 

Water fun for families 

Long ago, Jonesborough folks went 

to the Sally Hole for a swim. In 

the 1920s, Rudy Rhein and Jake 

Jackson, two owners of an ice plant 

in town, created Woodland Lake. They 

wanted to provide a place for the public 

to swim, picnic, and enjoy nature. 

Folks would pay an admission, change 

in the rooms beside the pool, and cook 

out in barbecue pits built in the woods 

beside the pool. Not many people owned 

bathing suits back then so they could 

rent one for 25 cents. When the day 

was over the bathing suits would be 

collected and washed for the next day. 

Families today can enjoy some of the 

same amenities and more at Wetlands 

Water Park, but bring your own suit! 

SPLASH AROUND 

Today, the Wetlands Water Park 

provides guests a relaxing and enjoyable 

family experience. Families can splash 

around a rain tree, water bubblers, 

tumble buckets, tubes, and a zero depth 

wading area. Then, slide down an 80- 

foot enclosed fiberglass flume slide, a 

200-foot giant fiberglass flume slide, or 

a children’s otter slide. 

Enjoy a Season Pass to come every 

day or host a private party after hours 

and have the whole place to yourself! 

Call 423-753-1553 for more information 

or visit wetlandsjonesborough.com. 

Take a rest from all that water fun at 

the full service café, shaded pavilions, 

or covered dining area. After a rigorous 

game of volleyball on our sandy court, 

wash off in our shower facilities. 

The Wetlands Water Park is as unique 

as Jonesborough because it is the only 

water park in the state of Tennessee 

that is not commercially owned. This 

means that the town of Jonesborough is 

committed to Wetlands encouraging the 

entire family to participate together in 

an enjoyable and safe water experience. 


7

8 

S T O R Y T E L L I N G R E N A I S S A N C E 

The First National 

Storytelling Festival 

In 1973, on a warm and 

sunny October day, 

Jonesborough residents 

rolled an old farm wagon 

into Courthouse Square 

for the first National 

Storytelling Festival. 

While the Festival was 

tiny, something happened 

that October weekend 

that has changed 

forever our culture, this 

traditional art form, and 

this Tennessee town. 

They were there, the 

storytellers. A former 

Arkansas congressman. 

A Tennessee banker. 

A college professor. 

A western North 

Carolina farmer. They 

told their tales, and 

they breathed life 

into the first National 

Storytelling Festival. 

And for the small 

group of people who 

During the first National Storytelling 

Festival, Ray Hicks stood on the back of an 

old farm wagon and belted out The Heifer 

Hide—an ancient tale from the Southern 

Appalachian Mountains he had learned as a 

child sitting on his grandfather’s knee. 

sat listening—in chairs, on the curbs, cross-legged on the 

grassy green—there was a bond, a special connection between 

us and all who live and have ever lived. There were stories 

about people we had never met, times we had never known, 

places we had never been. Yet for those few magical hours, 

we did know them, we did go there. 

The National Storytelling Festival, the first of its kind 

anywhere in the world, ignited a renaissance of storytelling 

that is, even today, continuing to sweep the globe, and 

transformed Jonesborough into the Storytelling Capital of 

the World. 

And now, people across America and the world are 

rediscovering the simplicity and basic truth of the told story. 


“More than anything else, 

the storytelling renaissance 

has been inspired by the 

National Storytelling Festival in 

Jonesborough, Tennessee.” 

— Michael McLeod, Readers Digest 

Photos: Fresh Air Photographics 

Barbara McBride- 

Smith (left), Michael 

Parent (above), and Jay 

O’Callahan (above right) 

are three nationally known 

tellers featured at the 

annual festival.

I G N I T E D I N J O N E S B O R O U G H 

A Season of Storytelling Opportunities 

National Storytelling Festival 

First Full Weekend Each October 

The annual National Storytelling Festival, held 

under colorful circus tents scattered throughout 

Jonesborough, showcases the world’s stories, 

storytellers, and storytelling traditions. The Festival 

features some two dozen acclaimed storytellers and 

attracts over 10,000 visitors every year. 

Storytelling Live! 

Teller-in-Residence Program 

May–October annually 

Twenty-six of America’s best-loved storytellers, 

one each week for twenty-six weeks, perform daily 

in a series of one-hour storytelling concerts at the 

Center’s state-of-the-art theater. Showtime is 

2 p.m. daily, Tuesday through Saturday, with 

special evening and children’s performances. 

Telling Jonesborough’s Stories with 

the Monthly Jonesborough Yarn Exchange 

Jonesborough’s Community Storytelling Program 

celebrates what’s special about the town and its 

people through the stories we share. Helping 

Jonesborough residents harvest, craft, and 

share their stories, this one-of-a-kind program 

commemorates and honors Tennessee’s oldest town. 

The community’s stories have inspired the creation 

of story-based performances and programs that are 

presented at venues throughout the town. 

Come to the Center of the Story 

By visiting the International Storytelling Center, 

Jonesborough’s guests can capture the spirit of storytelling, 

secure information about the Center’s offerings, and browse 

in a shop filled with gifts, souvenirs, and storytelling 

resources. The Center campus is located in the heart of 

downtown Historic Jonesborough. 

Call 423-913-1276 or 800-952-8392 

or visit storytellingcenter.net. 

© Peter Aaron/Esto 


9


What to Do 

Music on the Square 

Music on the Square is a town event 

held each Friday evening, May through 

October. Music on the Square is 

Americana at its best, featuring live 

performances by local and regional 

bands, storytellers, poets, and 

performance artists. Each week offers 

at least two different acts. Many of 

the shops in Jonesborough stay open 

for these events, and the restaurants 

are full of diners and dessert seekers. 

Folks can visit, chat, enjoy the music 

and meet new friends as the bands 

play a variety of bluegrass, Celtic, 

old-time, Blues or jazz. Now an official 

Jonesborough event, Main Street is 

blocked off to through traffic and 

plenty of parking is found behind the 

Jonesborough Courthouse. Restrooms are 

A crowd gathers for Jonesborough’s Music on the Square 

available, as well as handicap access for 

parking and seating. Each concert begins 

around 7 p.m. and everyone is invited to 

attend and enjoy. 


Email Steve Cook: jboart@comcast.net 

Visit us at musiconthesquare.com. 

Contact the Jonesborough Visitors Center 

by calling 423-753-1010 or visit them 

online at historicjonesborough.com. 

Find stories that tickle your funny 

bone and warm your heart at the 

Jonesborough 

Repertory Theatre 

This community welcomed the art of 

theatre as early as the late 1800s. At 

one time the third floor of Lampson 

Hall, built in 1871, served as a theater 

for plays and Vaudeville shows. Then in 

1920, The Blue Mouse Theater opened on 

Main Street showing silent movies. 

Since 1970, the Jonesborough 

Repertory Theatre (JRT) has remained 

a regional favorite by offering 

productions year round–from musicals 

and comedies to classics and readers 

theatre. In addition, JRT has a thriving 

educational program for students grades 

K–12, offering acting classes and three 

student productions per year. JRT values 

Hairspray the Broadway Musical 

live theatre as an entertaining and 

educational event providing a unique 

opportunity for audiences and artists to 

share experiences that can be enjoyable, 

uplifting, and thought-provoking. 

Charlie Mauk/Jonesborough Herald & Tribune 

125 1/2 West Main Street 

Beside Historic Eureka Inn 

Ticket Sales: 423-753-1010 

jonesboroughtheatre.com 

10 

2014–2015 Jonesborough Visitors Guide


What to Do, continued 

Jonesborough Storytellers Guild 

The Jonesborough Storytellers Guild 

is the only guild in the United States 

with a weekly performance venue. 

We have had a weekly presence in 

downtown Jonesborough since 1994. 

The Guild was created to help others 

find and share stories. Because of 

its support of the oral tradition of 

storytelling, the Guild has grown from 

the original seven founding members 

to over forty members. 

Jonesborough Storytellers Guild has several special concerts 

and workshops throughout the region open to the public. 

Email info@storytellersguild.org 

Visit Storytellersguild.org 

Call 423-753-9882. 

Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. Admission charge. 

Positive Solutions 

Positive Solutions Storytelling 

Tours is a Destination Marketing 

Company based in Jonesborough, 

Tennessee, the Storytelling 

Capital of the World. We are the 

experts you need when planning 

a visit to our area as we offer 

“One Call Convenience” for your 

accommodations, tours, restaurants and sightseeing–all at a 

savings for you. 

Linda Poland, Jonesborough’s Resident Storyteller and 

President of Positive Solutions Tours, is also a professional 

storyteller, offering customized events, keynote speaking and 

workshops. For more information on storytelling or Murder 

Mysteries by “The Traveling Mind Benders Troupe” visit 

LindaPoland.com. 

PST will help you discover a region filled with history, 

exciting recreational activities, stories and friendly people–all 

surrounded by majestic beauty. 

Visit us at Positivesolutionstours.com 

Call 423-753-9882, or email positivests@aol.com. 

Top 20 

Spots to 

FIND a Story 

in Historic Jonesborough 

1. Teller-in-Residence at the 

International Storytelling Center 

2. Jonesborough Storytellers Guild 

3. Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours 

4. Historical Markers 

5. Oak Hill School 

6. Jonesborough/Washington 

County History Museum & 

Chester Inn Museum 

7. National Storytelling Festival 

8. Cemeteries 

9. Strolling Tour Brochure 

10. Shopkeepers 

11. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre 

12. Genealogy and History 

Section of the Library 

13. Music on the Square 

14. Visitors Center 

15. Home Tours 

16. Legends, Whispers, 

and Mysteries Tours 

17. Ghostwalks 

18. Washington County 

Courthouse 

19. Jonesborough 

Farmer’s Market 

20. Innkeepers 

Charlotte-Blake Alston, 

Historic Jonesborough, Tennessee • historicjonesborough.com Teller-In-Residence 

11

Treasured Tales 

The Heritage Alliance 

In 1966, Congress passed the National 

Historic Preservation Act, providing 

matching funds to states for preservation 

planning. 

A small group of forward thinking 

individuals looked around and saw 

Jonesborough for the historic and 

architectural treasure that it was. With 

planning funds provided by the state, 

these individuals established the early 

civic and preservation organizations that 

saw to the restoration and preservation 

of the history of Tennessee’s oldest 

town. Today, these organizations have 

merged to form the Heritage Alliance, a 

regional organization dedicated to the 

preservation of the region’s architectural 

heritage, as well as 

the history and oral 

tradition of our area. 

heritageall.org 

Preservation field services 

provided by the Heritage 

Alliance are assisted by a 

Partners in the Field challenge 

grant from the National Trust 

for Historic Preservation 

The organization, a 

local partner of the 

National Trust for 

Historic Preservation, 

works to educate the 

community through the development of 

innovative museum spaces, experiential 

learning, and technical preservation 

expertise. The Heritage Alliance offers 

a variety of resources throughout 

Jonesborough, including museum 

space in the Historic Jonesborough 

Visitors Center and in the ground floor 

of the Chester Inn State Historic Site. 

Recently, the organization has worked 

with the State of Tennessee to restore 

and showcase the Christopher Taylor 

Log Home, also a state historic site, 

which was moved from its original 

location outside of town in the 1970s. 

The Christopher Taylor site, and the 

entire downtown historic district, 

provide a tangible representation of 

the rich history and heritage that the 

organization seeks to maintain for 

future generations. Go back to the 

days of yesteryear and connect with 

the artifacts and the importance of 

preservation with programs and museums 

offered by The Heritage Alliance. 

Oak Hill School has been fully restored to appear as 

it did in the 1890s. 

Oak Hill School 

Oak Hill School was built in 1886 to 

serve the community of Knob Creek, 

(now part of North Johnson City). The 

building served local residents as a 

school and center for community events 

until the school was closed in the 

1950s. The property owners approached 

the Jonesborough/Washington County 

History Museum about saving the 

structure from destruction by relocating 

it to Jonesborough. In 1996, the school 

building was moved to Jonesborough 

and placed behind the Visitors Center. 

Oak Hill School was lovingly restored 

to its 1890s luster. From collecting the 

oral histories of living alumni to using 

paint analysis to find the original wall 

color, every effort was made to ensure 

that those who enter the doors today 

can see what the students in Knob 

Creek would have seen over a century 

ago. Today the building houses a living 

history program for reserved groups of 12 

or more. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, 

History, Geography, and even the pledge, 

(in its original 1892 form) are featured 

curricula in this authentic, historically 

based day in the life of a rural school 

student in 1892–1893. For unscheduled 

short tours, call the Heritage Alliance 

staff at 423-753-9580 or visit us in our 

office located directly in front of Oak 

Hill School. 

Museum & Archives 

The Jonesborough/Washington County 

History Museum and the Chester Inn 

Museum collect artifacts, documents 

and photographs to help tell the stories 

of the land and people who formed “the 

mother of Tennessee.” Our collection 

of artifacts, newspapers and other 

objects focuses on the social, cultural 

and economic history of Jonesborough 

and Washington County, creating a fascinating 

historical record of the region. 

Our extensive photographic collection 

spans the period from 1850 through the 

1980s and features a number of photographs 

from early Jonesborough photographers 

L.M. Keen and O. L. Hensley. 

Historic Chester Inn 


12 


We invite you to visit our museum 

located in the Historic Jonesborough 

Visitors Center. Coming soon, please 

visit our new Main Street exhibits in the 

ground floor of the historic Chester Inn. 

Free admission for the museums, 

minimal fee for programs, and donations 

are always welcome! 

For more information about The 

Heritage Alliance visit heritageall.org 

or to schedule your group please call 

The Heritage Alliance at 423-753-9580, 

Monday–Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Jonesborough Dance Society 

Everyone is welcome to dance the 

night away (experience or partner not 

necessary) on the first and third Saturdays 

of every month. 

Located at the Historic 

Jonesborough Visitors 

Center, the dances 

feature different live 

music and a caller, 

who will teach the 

dances, calls and 

steps in an alcohol– 

free and smoke–free 

atmosphere. Please 

wear comfortable 

shoes and clothing 

for a night of family– 

oriented dancing fun! 

The Historic Jonesborough Dance 

Society was chartered in the fall of 2005 

as a non-profit, educational organization 

to promote a better understanding and 

appreciation of American folk dancing, 

its music, its history and related folklore. 

HJDS is an all–volunteer group affiliate 

of the Country Dance and Song Society. 

For more information please visit 

historicjonesboroughdancesociety.com. 

Early Visions of Commerce 

Main Street stores have been the heart 

and soul of Jonesborough since the 

1800s. The history of Main Street is as 

fascinatingly diverse as their merchandise. 

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, 

Main Street symbolized the town’s spirit, 

wealth, and expansion. The stores could 

be much more than businesses. They were 

where shoppers could listen to concerts, 

see fashion shows and art exhibits, learn 

golf or bridge, pay electric bills, and plan 

vacations. 

Jonesborough shoe shop, circa 1898. 

Today, Main Street shops have stories 

that encompass many themes: the rise 

of decorative design, rediscovering Celtic roots, traveling abroad, being a kid 

in a nostalgic candy store, appreciating contemporary art, or learning the 

fundamentals of quilt design. 

Children can accompany their mothers downtown for a day of shopping 

and lunch in the ice cream parlor. The warm and inviting personality of 

Jonesborough can always be read in its wide assortment of shops. Now, as 

always before, service and style thrives in the Historic Main Street shops of 

Jonesborough. 

Stories of 

The Lollipop Shop 

Welcome to The Lollipop Shop , the fun 

and whimsical store for kids of all ages. 

Whether you are in the mood for some 

delicious sweets from today or a nostalgic 

taste of yesteryear, we are sure to have 

something that will bring a smile to your 

face! Our large selection of retro toys, 

pedal cars, stuffed animals, and novelties 

are sure to bring back fond memories as 

well as create fun new ones! 

The Lollipop Shop is also the home of 

Stuff-A-Buddy , where you can stuff your 

own animal at the talking tree. 

Call 423-913-2663 to reserve your party, 

or visit thelollipopshop.net today 

Franchises available 

Shoppers’ Delights 

© Bryan Allen Photography 


13

Stories of 

Shoppers’ Delights 

Notice the sewing machine in the picture? Why would all these people be 

standing in front of a store with a sewing machine? Contest? Advertisement? 

Hands Around 

the World 

A Storehouse of Handmade 

Treasures. Hands Around the World 

owner Janet Browning began by 

helping one small Amazon Indian 

village. She now travels the world 

over buying directly from the artists 

to bring handmade treasures home 

to Jonesborough. A purchase from 

Museum Warehouse means supporting 

traditional art and artists using fair 

trade practices. 

111 East Main Street, 

hands-around-the-world.com 

or indian-cultures.com 

Call 423-753-8177 

Gracious Designs 

Where good friends, good ideas, and 

great home décor come together. 

As you stroll through our charming 

building, built in the late 1800s as a 

general store, you will see books by local 

Southern authors, beautiful and unique 

lamps, adorable baby collectibles, 

dishes, teapots, gourmet goodies, and 

local artists. Name brands like Vera 

Bradley Home, Mary Carol Garrity 

Home, Oscar De La Renta Home, and 

April Cornell in beautiful home décor 

displays. Come in for a FREE decorating 

class on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. and 

enjoy yummy chocolates or embrace the fabulous aromas of our 

Rhapsody candles. 117 E. Main Street. Call 423-753-5247 

“Some stories seem to be made out of whole cloth. Others are 

like the Tennessee quilts on sale in Jonesborough’s many craft 

shops. They weave together past, present, fact, and fiction in a 

tight design both dazzling and unforgettable.” 

– Smithsonian 

The Christmas Shop 

Head west on Main Street for a seasonal delight at 

our new Christmas Shop. Personalize your tree 

with unique ornaments or personalize your favorite 

ornament for free. Historic 

Jonesborough ornaments and 

Christopher Radko ornaments 

are available. You will feel the 

warmth of a Charles Dickens 

Christmas and small town 

hospitality all year-round with 

more than 10 theme-decorated 

trees. The Christmas Shop also 

offers classes August through 

November, on topics ranging 

from tying bows to tree decor. 

Whenever you need a little 

touch of Christmas, drop by 

The Christmas Shop on Main. 

105 Courthouse Square 

Jonesborough, TN, 37659 

Call 423-753-0583 

14 


Jonesborough Art Glass Gallery 

Jonesborough Art Glass Gallery is located in Jonesborough, 

Tennessee’s oldest town and the first of Tennessee’s towns to be 

placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Gallery is located at 101 E. Main St., the very center 

of the business district. When the business was created in 

1979, the Victorian cast iron columned building was a working 

studio space where beautiful stained glass windows and lamps 

were created, displayed, and sold. The town was sleepy, the 

rent was cheap, and the apartment upstairs made it possible 

for the owners, Steve and Tava Cook, to live and work in the 

same building, taking advantage of the inexpensive rent to the 

fullest. Relying mainly on craft shows around the southeast for 

the majority of their income, the Cooks would sometimes trade 

their work for the work of others, and bring home the artwork to 

sell, give as gifts, and begin their own collection of wonderful 

artwork from across the country. 

As the years passed and Jonesborough realized the importance 

of its tourism industry, the Cooks also realized the lack of any 

Tennessee Quilts 

Tennessee Quilts’ goal is to promote 

traditional and contemporary quilt 

making. Tennessee Quilts, with 

5,000 square feet of space, offers 

over 8,000 bolts of quality quilting 

fabrics along with books, patterns 

and other quilting supplies, all of 

which is also available for purchase 

online at tennesseequilts.com. We 

proudly sponsor the Tennessee Quilts’ 

QuiltFest (3 days of quilting classes and related events) each 

July and frequently offer classes taught by nationally recognized 

quilting instructors. 

Call 423-753-6644 or toll-free 877-385-0934, 

email Linda@tennesseequilts.com, 

or visit tennesseequilts.com. 


contemporary artwork being offered to the thousands of people 

passing through Jonesborough each year. After acquiring the 

original Baptist Church building (built in 1842) on Spring Street 

as a home as well as working studio, the Cooks renovated the 

Main Street location to accommodate more crafts and artwork 

from over 200 different artists from across the country. All of 

the artists represented at JAGG are American artists, and the 

Cooks strongly emphasize the importance of supporting these 

artists against imports and mass-produced items. 

New work is being sought each year to give the art lover a 

new selection several times yearly, and all artists are welcome to 

submit their work for consideration. 

JAGG is open all year, daily 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Extended hours 

are offered during the summer and the Holiday Season. Call for 

questions about current times. 

101 E. Main St., jonesboroughartglass.com, 

e-mail at jboart@comcast.net. Call 423-753-5401 

Jonesborough 

Antique Mart 

Nearly 150 years ago the 

Jonesborough Antique Mart 

started its story as a dry goods 

store. Today, there are over 10,000 

square feet of antiques, vintage 

clothing, Victorian furniture, 

early 1900s sterling silver, 

depression glassware, primitives, 

Christia’s Artware, Blue Ridge 

Pottery, collectibles, dolls, and 

Boyd’s Bears. 

115 1/2 East Main Street 

423-753-8301 

15

Gathering Tales 

Great Places to Eat 

Our gathering tales will enrapture 

you with one-of-a-kind dining, 

eclectic shopping, horse–drawn carriage 

rides, and history-making special event 

facilities. Some of our restaurants 

include storytellers and music in 

addition to great comfort cuisine. 

This photo depicts a Chevy dealership in 1934. It is said that the structure 

which now houses a restaurant on the corner is exactly where the 

dealership once stood. 

Salt House • 127 Fox Street 

In 1864, salt was essential for curing meat for army and 

home use and was in short supply. It was rationed to area 

residents during the Civil War from the unique Salt House. 

The Salt House has since served as a store, post office, 

Masonic hall, wholesale grocery, warehouse, and a location 

for specialty shops. 

The Old Towne 

Pancake House 

& Catering 

From frying fish to frying pancakes 

and everything in between! 15 

varieties of pancakes, homemade 

meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, 

B-B-Q, catfish, seafood platter, 

grilled salmon, homemade desserts, 

mandarin orange cake, carrot cake, 

hot fudge cake. 

Call 423-913-8111, 

email otphcater@yahoo.com, 

or visit us at 142 Boone Street. 

123 East Main Street 

423-913-2663 

Over 400 kinds of candy 

• 24 flavors of Jelly Belly 

• 21 colors of M&M’s 

• Spin the ferris wheel of taffy 

• Make your own pixie sticks 

• Stuff-A-Buddy 

• Pedal Cars 


423-788-0202 

© Bryan Allen Photgraphy 


423-913-4497 

16 


Jonesborough 

General Store 

and Eatery 


423-913-8003 

1 5/16/08 5:33 PM Page 1 

Jonesborough General Store 

and Eatery is a quaint and 

cozy general store in Historic 

Downtown Jonesborough. Enjoy 

American-style food, catch up with 

friends over coffee or shop for 

products made by local artisans. 


423-753-6400 

American Dining with a Cuban Flair, The Dining 

Room has been called one of the Top 10 Tri-Cities 

restaurants by local press. 

500 Forest Drive, Jonesborough, 423-753-3066 


17

You deserve a story 

that makes history 

Planning a Special Event 


Our special event facilities will provide you with superb 

architectural surroundings and inspiring ambiance 

that will give you stories for a lifetime. 

Before there were architectural degrees, the men that 

designed buildings were called master craftsmen. The 

same master craftsman that built the 1847 Jonesborough 

Courthouse built the Parson’s Table banquet facility. 

The Wedding Loft served as a jewelry store for over 

50 years selling many wedding bands and now there 

are many exchanges of wedding bands at that very 

location. The International Storytelling Center serves as 

a representation of storytelling in the millennium and 

hosts several events that will provide stories beyond the 

millennium. 

Old Quarters 

Old Quarters of Jonesborough is a unique party 

and banquet facility overlooking Historic 

Downtown Jonesborough owned and operated 

by Main Street Café & Catering. The perfect 

atmosphere for every occasion, Old Quarters is 

a rustic and elegant 1890s facility featuring 

beautiful hardwood 

floors, romantic and 

gorgeous lighting, as 

well as an outdoor patio. 

117 West Main Street 

mainstreetcatering.net 

Please call 

423-753-0353 

Team Bridal 

A romantic, Victorian wedding experience awaits you at 

Team Bridal located in the heart of Historic Jonesborough. 

Whether you choose to have your wedding ceremony in our 

quaint, candlelit chapel or in the tranquil outdoor gazebo 

nestled along the Little Limestone Creek, we will take 

you back in time …to quieter, simpler times of days gone 

by. Our white horse-drawn carriage pulled by one of our 

“gentle giant” draft horses will add the perfect touch to a 

most romantic experience. 

Fully catered receptions are offered in the adjoining 

1820s elegantly decorated building, complete with 

fireplaces. No detail of your special day will be overlooked 

by our carefully chosen staff of professional photographers, 

videographers, florists, wedding cake bakers, consultants, 

and ordained ministers. We also offer tux rentals, 

invitations, and other special personalized accessories. 

As you prepare for one of the most special days of 

your life, allow The Wedding Loft to help make all your 

wedding dreams come true! 


Email mywedding@team-bridal.com 

theweddingloft.com 

Phone 423-753-2903 

18 



Choose from our 

light filled parlor 

with its adjoining 

courtyard, 

or the more 

formal Library, 

with a balcony 

overlooking the 

historic district. 

For smaller meetings, 

choose the 

Chester Inn Conference Room, a place for the meeting of the 

minds since 1797. For presentations, lectures and performances 

we can offer the Krispy Kreme Storytelling Theater, 

an intimate 95 seat theater with adjoining lobby, perfect for 

your VIP reception and presentation. 

Take advantage of our customized continental breakfast 

service, and Internet and Power Point capabilities. Have your 

event catered, or dine out at Jonesborough’s unique restaurants. 

Captivate your guests with our customized service, 

outstanding venues, and historic town. 


Email rentals@storytellingcenter.net 

Please call 423-913-1276 

The Parson’s Table 

Built in the 1870s, this 

brick structure served 

as a church, temperance 

hall, lecture hall, 

woodworking shop, and 

restaurant, and presently 

serves as a banquet facility. 

During the cholera 

epidemic in 1873, carpenters 

working on the 

church stopped to build 

coffins for the victims. 

The small frame building 

behind the church once 

served as the parsonage. 

102 West Woodrow Ave., 

423-753-8002 

susan@parsonstable.net 

Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center 

Since 1982 the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center has grown from 

having a small gift shop with a shoebox to collect money from sales 

to an impressive gift shop with an eclectic variety of items including 

books, clothing, Tennessee 

products and artwork from 

local artisans. The Center 

hosts monthly exhibits of 

regional artwork; merchants 

exhibit displays of their 

wares; locals host receptions, 

parties, meetings, showers, 

etc.; and the staff produces 

and promotes events such as 

storytelling concerts and free 

children’s events. Trade shows 

are held here along with many other types of events. The Center’s 

main purpose is to be available to visitors to provide information 

about the area and local activities. 

photo by C. David Cook 

117 Boone St., Phone Toll Free 866-401-4223 • Fax: 423-753-1020 

historicjonesborough.com • rentals@jonesboroughtn.org 


19

Inviting Tales 

and Places 

to Stay 

Our inviting tales will entice you 

with engaging accommodations 

from camping to award-winning bed 

and breakfasts. Relax in the natural 

mountain landscape, renew yourself 

at a health retreat, or enjoy yourself 

with a romantic getaway all in the 

historical ambiance of days gone by. 

In 1797 Dr. Chester built the largest 

structure in town on the north side of 

Main Street. For more than a century it 

was the leading hotel in Jonesborough. 

The Inn’s guests would sit around 

the fire and swap stories. Today, 

Jonesborough provides historic Inns, a 

modern hotel, and bed and breakfasts 

all in the historic district. We invite 

you to stay and swap your story. 

Illustration by Jerry Honeycutt 

Visit the Chester Inn Museum 11 a.m. to 

6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. 

Stay At This Turn-of-the-Century Inn and Find Happy Endings 

The Historic Eureka Inn is located on Main Street, once the 

old Stage Road, in the heart of downtown Jonesborough. 

Visit the charm and romance of this wonderful turn-ofthe-century 

inn with a perfect blend of the finest hotel 

amenities. 

You’ll have private baths, individual climate controls, 

data ports with DSL, two telephones, and cable television. 

These features pale to the elegance of the antique and reproduction 

furniture found in the exquisite interior. 

Whether having a wedding or anniversary celebration, 

looking for a terrific weekend with free concerts at Music on 

the Square, attending the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre 

next door, or going to the International Storytelling Center 

to hear the Teller-in-Residence, the Eureka Inn is affordable 

lodging that is just a short walk to all the activities 

in Jonesborough. Play golf nearby at some of the best 

golf courses in Tennessee, take some great hikes at Bays 

Mountain Park in Kingsport or in the beautiful Appalachian 

Mountains, have an exciting whitewater rafting experience 

just minutes away, or ski on the winter slopes. Whatever 

your sport, come back to a happy ending of your day at the 

Historic Eureka Inn in downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee. 

We look forward to seeing you! 6 (see map on page 23) 

Historic Eureka Inn 

127 W. Main Street 

423-913-6100 

Toll Free 877-734-6100 

Fax 423-913-0429 

Email eurekainn@earthlink.net 

20 


Photo: Mountain Photographics Inc.

Camping Tales 

In the early 1900s, Henry Ford and Thomas Alva Edison were making their 

way from New York to Asheville, North Carolina, camping along the way. In 

Washington County they stopped at a private farm and camped for several 

days. Legend has it that Edison decided since he was in the South he 

would honor the Confederacy and name the camp Robert E. 

Lee. It became a media event with Jonesborough dignitaries 

and the press visiting the camp. 

Today, you can create your own camping history at 

Persimmon Ridge Campground. If you are looking for 

a relaxing mountain getaway, soak in the surrounding 

natural mountain landscape. If you are looking for 

activities, soak in some sun when you take a short walk to 

Wetlands Water Park. Stop at the playground or basketball 

courts along the way and take a hike on the trails behind 

the Water Park. Take a short ride or long walk to historic 

Main Street, Jonesborough, where you will find history, 

culture, shopping, and unique dining. 

1527 Persimmon Ridge Road 

423-791-1318 

Email prcg@embarqmail.com 

historicjonesborough.com–Lodging/Camping 

Camping In Jonesborough. 

The rest of the story... 

Similar to the men 

long ago who came 

together to create the 

town of Jonesborough 

and the coming of the 

railroad, two years ago 

several local investors 

decided it was time for 

a peaceful place of rest 

in the historic town of 

Jonesborough. 

AmericInn Lodge 

and Suites was designed 

with great care to complement the historical ambiance of the town. Families 

will love the convenience of our indoor heated pool and spa. We offer suites 

with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, small kitchens, and balconies. These amenities 

are also available in some of our standard rooms. 

Laundry facilities are available for an extended stay. 

It is a short walk from the hotel to historic Main 

Street. You will walk past a refurbished one-room school. When the bell rings, 

you may see children in period dress with lunch pails curtsy or bow before 

the teacher and proceed into the classroom for lessons taught similar to that 

of the 1890s. 

Continue to the Washington County-Jonesborough Library where you 

can research your ancestral beginnings in the Genealogy section. The Great 

Stage Coach Road was a main passageway for folks going west and their 

information can be found at the library. Historic Main Street is booming with 

eclectic shopping, culture, and dining. On Tuesday evening guests can walk 

to the Cranberry Thistle and listen to 

storytelling and live music. Ask our 

friendly front desk staff for dining 

ideas that will cure any craving. 

Come and stay with us at the 

AmericInn Lodge and Suites. You 

will experience our peaceful and 

charming setting with a welcoming 

staff that is eager to serve you. And 

that is the “rest” of the story. 

AmericInn.com • 376 East Jackson Boulevard, 

Jonesborough, TN • 423-753-3100 

7 See map on page 23 


21

Accommodations 

Lodging Around Jonesborough’s Historic District 

These Bedtime Stories are brought to you by 

the historic Bed and Breakfasts of downtown 

Jonesborough. Please allow them to bring sweet 

dreams and peaceful memories to you and yours... 

Once upon a time in a land not far away began the first town in 

Tennessee. When the National Storytelling Festival first began, 

folks would invite visitors into their homes for the festival. 

As Storytelling and the culture of the town blossomed, the 

need grew. Now, the town is bursting with art, theatre, music, 

specialty shopping, fine dining, and antique shops. 

Blair–Moore House 

Bed and Breakfast 

Built in 1832 

We focus on the culinary arts, 

southern hospitality and comfort 

of our guests. We have been 

recognized with many national 

awards for our breakfasts. Tami 

will prepare a multi–course 

breakfast and has studied at four 

of the most prestigious culinary 

schools including Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. Enjoy two rooms & 

one suite furnished with period Tennessee antiques. Amenities include 

air conditioning, private bathrooms, and private off street parking. 

Visit blairmoorehouse.com, call 888-453-0044 for your reservation 

or email tamiwmoore@centurylink.net. 1 

Carriage House 


Built in 1877 

Stay in the Carriage House and 

servant’s quarters thought to be 

the site of the silversmith shop 

owned by the designer and engravers 

of Tennessee’s original 

State Seal. Breakfast is served 

in the two–story Victorian main 

house. In 1896 the home was 

remodeled to include large bay windows, decorative gables and front 

and back porches. Check out the stars by night or a bird’s eye view 

of town by day in the heated in-ground pool. Call 423-753-8005 for 

your reservation. 2 

Febuary Hill Bed and Breakfast 

Built in 1832 

This elegant, historic Greek revival 

home sits on 4 peaceful acres for 

room to privately roam and only 

one block from historic Main 

Street. Our home is decorated in 

a traditional style to reflect its 

fully restored elegance, charm 

and history. We offer the Richard 

Room (queen size with private bath); the Angela Room (king size with 

private bath) and during special events we also offer the Jessica Suite 

(2 rooms, one king size, one with two twins) with private bath. A full 

home cooked breakfast is served buffet style in the dining room along 

with an evening snack and assorted beverages. Call 423-737-6501 

or email febuaryhill@embarqmail.com for your reservation or visit 

bbonline.com/tn/febuaryhill for more information. 3 

Storybrook Farm 

Bed & Breakfast 

Tucked into 25 pastoral acres less 

than one mile from Downtown 

Historic Jonesborough, Storybrook 

Farm Bed & Breakfast offers a 

cozy log home or brick farmhouse 

where five generations of family 

treasures from different times 

and places each have its own tale 

to tell. Awake in the morning to 

a delicious breakfast featuring the farm’s naturally fresh eggs, fruit, 

nuts, berries, herbs and vegetables. Take in the panoramic views of 

rolling hills, orchards, woods and mountains as you sit back with a cup 

of tea in one of the farm’s colorful flower gardens. Or, enjoy a stroll 

around the pond catching glimpses of local wildlife and head to the 

barnyard to meet the farm animals. Call 423-292-7995 for your 

reservation, or visit storybrookfarmtn.com for more information. 

22 


Franklin House 


Built in 1840 

The Babb family resided in this 

home from 1869 until 1923 and 

their descendants still visit this 

cozy and relaxed home. It is conveniently 

located near the Main 

Street shops and restaurants. We 

offer three comfortable guest 

rooms, each with a private bath, and include a delicious full breakfast. 

A guest apartment with all amenities is available for extended stays. 

Wireless Internet access is provided throughout the home. Chuck and 

Dona Lewis, Innkeepers, offer helpful advice on in-town and area 

attractions and services. PC, CC accepted. Visit franklinhousebb.com, 

email franklinhousebb@embarqmail.com or call 423-753-3819 for 

your reservation. 4 

Hawley House 


Built in 1793 

Wrap yourself in a warm blanket 

of history in front of a large 

cooking fireplace in the oldest 

building in town. Astonish 

yourself at the authentic construction 

of chestnut logs and 

native limestone in the original 

kitchen, which now serves as a 

Great Room for storytellers big and small or for sipping a warm cup of 

hot cider. In the summer, you can sit on the veranda and sip lemonade 

while you overlook our quaint little town. Furnished with period 

antiques and American Folk Art, it has been featured on HGTV Restore 

America, highlighting the stellar restoration of the property. Choose 

from three spacious bedrooms with private bathrooms, furnished with 

handcrafted poster beds and Antique textiles, or the Butterfly cottage 

nestled in a secluded spot on the hillside overlooking town. Visit 

hawleyhouse.com, email hawleyhouse@gmail.com or call 

800-753-8869. 5 

7 

AmericInn Lodge & Suites 

This full service lodge and suites 

hotel offers a variety of room 

types including suites with 

whirlpools. Wake up each morning 

to our free, hot, home-style 

AmericInn Perk breakfas and stay 

connected with free, hotel-wide, 

high-speed internet. Guests also 

enjoy our inviting indoor pool 

and hot tub. The ideal location 

for your next stay, whether you’re 

traveling for business or pleasure, AmericInn is proud to provide 

the amenities you want most and deliver them at the highest level 

possible, starting with comfortable, quieter guestrooms. 6 

Features and Amenities 

• AAA Approved 

• Elevator 

• Fitness Center On-Site 

• Free, Hot, Home-Style Breakfast 

• Free, Hotel-Wide, High-Speed Internet 

• Guest Laundry Facilities 

• Indoor Heated Pool & Hot Tub 

• Meeting Room 

• Motorcoach Parking 

• Pet Friendly Rooms (Call for details) 

• Whirlpool & Fireplace Suites 

Lodging in Downtown Jonesborough 

2 

3 

4 

1 

Blair–Moore House, 201 West Main Street 

1 6 5 

2 

3 

Carriage House, 215 East Main Street 

Febuary Hill, 102 West College Street 

4 

Franklin House, 116 Franklin Avenue 

5 

Hawley House, 114 East Woodrow Avenue 

4 

6 

Historic Eureka Inn, 127 West Main Street (see page 20) 

7 

AmericInn, 376 East Jackson Boulevard (see page 21) 


23

Our 

Wandering Tales 

will escort you to our town, around our 

town and surrounding activities. 

Other Regional Activities 

When you stay with us your family can dig up bones 

at the Natural History Museum and Fossil Site, 

discover your adventure at the children’s Hands On! 

Regional Museum, and check out the skies at Bays 

Mountain Park and Planetarium. Or you can go natural 

with a hike on the Appalachian Trail, white water 

rafting, hunting, fishing, and boating. Golf the day 

away at our award-winning courses and much more! 

For over half a century, until the coming of the railroad in 

1857, the Great Stage Road was the main artery of travel from 

the cities of East to the 

South and Southwest. 

A stream of immigrants 

from Virginia, Maryland 

and Pennsylvania, 

with others fresh 

from overseas, urged 

by stories of fertile 

lands brought all 

their possessions 

in great Conestoga 

wagons, often drawn 

by teams of oxen. 

For many years, this 

was the route over 

which virtually all 

manufactured and 

imported goods reached 

the East Tennessee 

market. Surrounding 

rivers were also used 

for commerce. 

On your trip to Historic Jonesborough, be 

sure to take a relaxing carriage ride. Discover 

Jonesborough from a whole new perspective from 

your perch in a horse-drawn carriage. Take a 

guided tour or just enjoy the pleasant Appalachian 

mountain scenery downtown with the clip-clop of 

horse hooves echoing down the street. 

Dr. Samuel Cunningham was an internationally known 

physician and surgeon of the 18th century who was interested 

in bringing a transportation system to Jonesborough. His 

house was on Main Street and he wanted the tracks built in 

front of his house so he could watch the train go by from 

his porch. He put his medical practice on hold from 1849 to 

1859 to serve as president of the East Tennessee and Virginia 

Railroad. Cunningham and 29 other men, called “The Immortal 

Thirty,” put their own personal properties up for collateral in 

order to bring the railroad to town. Dr. Cunningham returned 

to practice medicine. Much to his disappointment, the terrain 

forced the tracks to be built behind his house. 

Let’s talk about living in Jonesborough! 

Full service real estate, property management 

and development company. On the square in 

Downtown Historic Jonesborough. 


423- 753-3231 

blackhawktn.com 

Sensibly built for the environment. 

Certified Earth Craft House Builder 

24 


Where We Are 

Top 20 

WAYS TO MAKE 

YOUR OWN STORY 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

Dance in the Street 

Climb the Upping Block 

See the Gun Holes in the Log House 

Visit the History Museums 

Find the Mud Scraper 

See a Play 

Swim 

Go to the Park 

Picnic 

See the Oldest House in the Oldest Town 

Visit the Inn Where Three Presidents Have Slept 

Listen to Stories 

Eat Southern Comfort Cuisine 

Stroll through Wildflowers 

Visit Churches with Old Slave Galleries 

See Alfred Jackson’s Grave 

See a Mass Grave 

Visit a One Room School 

Enjoy Monthly Art Exhibit 

Visit Veterans Park 

Keith Dixon Studios 


25

A 

i 

Information 

i 

Restrooms 

A 

Parking 

ATM 

Jonesborough is in 

northeast Tennessee, at the 

intersection of Highway 

11E and US 81, just 19 miles 

from I-26 and I-81. See page 

24 for a regional map. 

26 


A 

Map by Jonesborough artist Bill Bledsoe.©2005 All rights reserved. 


27

More to tell: Business Listings 

ACCOMMODATIONS 

AmericInn Lodge & Suites 

376 East Jackson Boulevard 

423.753.3100 or 800.634.3444 

americinn.com 

Blair-Moore House Bed & Breakfast 


423.753.0044 or 888.453.0044 

blairmoorehouse.com 

Storybrook Farm Bed & Breakfast 

695 N. Cherokee Street 

423.262.7995 

storybrookfarmtn.com 

CHURCHES 

African Methodist Episcopal 

Zion Church 

208 West Woodrow Avenue 

423.753.8811 

11-E Church of Christ 

240 Headtown Road 

423.753.7124 

Jonesborough Church of Christ 

1025 Depot Street 

423.753.3515 

Westside Church of Christ 


423.753.8021 

The Carriage House Bed & Breakfast 

of Jonesborough 


423.753.8005 

nanseew@gmail.com 

Febuary Hill Bed & Breakfast 

102 West College Street 

423.737.6501 

bbonline.com/tn/febuaryhill 

febuaryhill@embarqmail.com 

Franklin House Bed & Breakfast 

116 Franklin Avenue 

423.753.3819 

franklinhousebb.com 

franklinhousebb@embarqmail.com 

Hawley House Bed & Breakfast 

114 East Woodrow Avenue 

423.753.8869 or 800.753.8869 

hawleyhouse.com 

hawleyhouse@gmail.com 

Historic Eureka Inn 


423.913.6100 or 877.734.6100 

eurekajonesborough.com 

eurekainn@earthlink.net 

Persimmon Ridge Campground 


423.791.1318 

historicjonesborough.com 

First Baptist Church 


423.753.3441 

Open Door Baptist Church 

600 Boones Creek Road 

423.753.6275 

Trinity Baptist Church 


423.753.4394 

West Hills Baptist Church 


423.753.4411 

Second Avenue Baptist Church 

109 South Second Avenue 

423.753.9487 

Bethel Christian Church 


423.753.9880 

Central Christian Church 

106 Fox & Main Street 

423.753.3411 

Jackson Park Church Of The Brethren 

100 Oak Grove Avenue 

423.753.9875 

Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall 

105 Parsons Circle 

423.753.5221 

Jonesborough Presbyterian Church 

Main Street 

423.753.6162 

Jonesborough United Methodist Church 

West Main Street 

423.753.3942 

Mustard Seed Worship Center 


423.753.9880 

Praise Chapel 


423.913.0588 

28 


DINING 

Amigo Mexican Restaurant 

125 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1 

423.788.2804 

Bomba’s Fresh Italian 


423.913.4685 

bombasfreshitalian.com 

The Dining Room 


PO Box 661 

423.753.6400 

Ghost Town Diner & Tours 


423.218.8648 

tcprs.com 

Jonesborough General Store and Eatery 


423.913.8003 

backwoodslivin@centurylink.net 

Jonesborough Pizza Parlor 


423.753.8862 

Main Street Café 


423.753.2460 

mainstreetcatering.net 

No. 1 Chinese Restaurant 

900 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 3 

423.753.6899 

Olde Courthouse Diner 


423.913.1000 

Old Town Dairy Bar 

318 West Jackson Boulevard 

423.753.6261 

Olde Towne Pancake House 

142 Boone Street 

423.913.8111 

Papa John’s Pizza 


423.913.1414 

Pizza Plus 


423.788.3522 

pizzaplusinc.com 

Pickle’s Restaurant 


423.753.2727 

Rocky’s Pizza 


423.753.2433 

Starbucks 


423.753.8893 

starbucks.com 

ENTERTAINMENT 


125 ½ West Main Street 

423.791.4440 or 423.753.1010 

jonesboroughtheatre.com 

Music On the Square 

Contact Steve Cook by email: 

jboart@comcast.net 

Or call 423.753.1010 

musiconthesquare.com 

Wetlands Water Park 


423.753.1558 or 888.622.1885 

wetlandsjonesborough.com 

GENEALOGY & RESARCH 

Heritage Alliance 

212 East Sabin Drive 

423.753.9580 

heritageall.org 

Washington County Courthouse 

Main Street 

washingtoncountytn.com 

Washington County/ 

Jonesborough Library 

200 Sabin Drive 

423.753.1800 

MUSEUMS 

Chester Inn Museum 


423.753.4580 

Jonesborough – Washington County 

History Museum 


423.753.9580 

REAL ESTATE 

Century 21 Home Team 


423.788.0111 

c21hometm.com 

Black Hawk Real Estate 


423.753.3231 

blackhawktn.com 

Volunteer Realty 


423.753.2000 

volunteerrealty.net 

SHOPPING 

Artist Gallery 


423.753.0852 


29

Artisan Studio Gallery 

139 ½ East Main Street 

423.913.2278 

ArtisanSG.com 

Christmas Shop 


423.753.0583 

The Crafty Peddler 

104 South Cherokee Street 

423.753.5971 

Deer Ridge Farm & Saddlery 


423.753.6046 or 888.285.0674 

DeerRidgeFarm.com 

DeerRidge@naxs.com 

Doll House 


423.753.0022 

jonesdollhouse.com 

Fellowship Quilters and 

Appalachian Quilters 

105 Fox Street 

423.753.4629 

harrisah@embarqmail.com 

Food City 

500 Forest Drive 

423.753.3066 

Gracious Designs & Ms. Brady’s Books 


423.753.5247 

graciousdesigns@embarqmail.com 

Hands Around The World 


423.753.8177 

hands-around-the-world.com 

handsaroundtheworld@earthlink.net 

Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center 

and Old Town Emporium 


423.753.1010 

historicjonesborough.com 

Ingles Markets Inc. 


423.753.8893 


Gift Shop 


423.913.1276 or 800.952.8392 

storytellingcenter.net 

Jonesborough Antique Mart 


423.753.8301 

Jonesborough Art Glass Gallery 


423.753.5401 

jonesboroughartglass.com 

jboart@comcast.net 

Jonesborough General Store and Eatery 


423.913.8003 

backwoodslivin@centurylink.net 

Kaleys & Co. 


423.753.5305 

Kimberlie’s Kandles 


423.753.7636 

kimberlieskandles.com 

The Lollipop Shop 


423.913.2663 

thelollipopshop.net 

Marj’s on Main 


423.753.0233 

Mauk’s of Jonesborough 


423.753.4648 or 888.611.MAUK 

mauks.com 

MVintage 


Jonesborough, TN 37659-1317 

423.753.2707 

Sewing Bee Quilt Shop 


423.753.7399 

sewingbeetn@comcast.net 

Scott County Lavender 

105 ½ Fox Street 

423.943.1490 

scottcountylavender.com 

Shoppes on Main 


423.753.9918 

Southern Exposure Antiques 


423.913.0143 

Sparrows Nest Interiors and Gifts 

101 Fox Street 

nestinteriorsandgifts@gmail.com 

Tennessee Quilts 


423.753.6644 or 877.385.0934 

tennesseequilts.com 

30 


Shopping (continued) 

SPECIALTY 

11-E Wine and Spirits 

1537 E. Jackson Blvd. Suite 2 

423.788.3860 

23 Formalwear 

125 West Main 

423.913.4952 

Another Touch Bakery and Gift Shop 

103 Fox Avenue 

423.753.0553 

Bamboo Massage 


423.753.3335 

Crazy Cupcake 


423.753.7335 

Depot Street Brewery 


423.753.7628 

depotstreetbrewing.com 

dsb904@gmail.com 

Earth and Sky Confections 


423.788.0202 

earthandskyconfections.com 

Faces by Ren and Keith Dixon Studios 

117 ½ West Main Street 

423.299.2981 

keith@keithdixonstudios.com 

facesbyren@gmail.com 

Jonesborough Animal Hospital 


423.282.3771 

Jonesborough Art Supply 


423.753.2911 

Jonesborough Wine & Spirits 

1000 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 1-3 

423.788.3828 

Looking Glass Maker 


423.753.0044 

By Appointment Only 

Pardue Photographics 


216 Headtown Road, Studio 

423.753.2671 

parduephoto.com 

tompardue@embarqmail.com 


Qwik Pack & Ship 


423.788.0019 

Radiance Salon 


423.753.9389 

Red Chair Salon 


423.753.0834 

Snipz Hair Company 


423.753.2777 

Team Bridal 


423.753.2903 

theweddingloft.com 

mywedding@team-bridal.com 

White’s Auto Parts 


423.753.6115 

Windsor Chair Maker Curtis Buchanan 


423.753.5160 


TOUR 

Bright’s Zoo 

3425 HWY 11E 

Limestone, TN 37681 

423.257.1927 

East Tennessee Ghost Tours 


423.218.8648 

tcprs.com 

Equine Elegance and Carriage Rides 

423.213.3049 

percheronol@embarqmail.com 

Positive Solutions 

through Stories and Tours 

P.O. Box 765 

Jonesborough, TN 37659 

423.753.9882 

positivesolutionstours.com 

Self-guided strolling tour brochure 

available at Visitors Center featuring 

forty historic landmarks. 


31

32

Storytelling Capital

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