Set just a short walk from the Erwin Town Hall and the Unicoi County Courthouse, this marker gives…read morea clear, compact look at how both the county and the town took shape, and there is convenient parking nearby so you can step out and read it without any trouble. It feels like one of those spots where the civic heart of a place is still visible in the layout of the streets and the cluster of public buildings, and the marker ties that present-day setting back to the choices made during Reconstruction and the decades that followed The front reads, "Unicoi County. Unicoi County was formed during the Reconstruction era from parts of Washington and Carter counties on March 23, 1875. Representative Alfred A. Taylor introduced a bill in the Tennessee Legislature and insisted that the county's name come from a Cherokee word representing the fog-draped Unaka Mountains. The first meeting for the elected officials was January 3, 1876, at the Indian Creek Baptist Church. For the Centennial in 1975, the motto on the new seal of Unicoi County was "The Valley Beautiful."" And the reverse, "The Town Of Erwin. The town was laid out in March of 1876 on land donated by David J.N. Ervin, William Love, and G. Garland for the creation of a county seat. Vanderbilt was the town's first name. In 1879, the state approved a new name of Ervin, but a United States Post Office mix-up gave the town its lasting name of Erwin. Earlier postal designations of Greasy Cove, Unaka, and Longmire identified the area. In 1891, Erwin was incorporated and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in 1892." It is marker number 1A-130 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. It is an easy and worthwhile stop if you're exploring the center of town. [Review 104 of 2026 - 602 in Tennessee - 25294 overall]

This small obelisk is standing on the grounds of the Washington County courthouse. It is a…read morefountain, though I doubt it is potable water. The memorial dates back to 1930 and is a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the town's founding in 1779. Records of the festivities are recorded by the University of Tennessee and captured in https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm12NB9_Jonesborough_Sesquicentennial_Fountain_Jonesborough_TN: "The first monument to be described at the History Museum is the fountain where many residents and visitors have taken a drink on a hot summer day. The description states: "The Sesquicentennial Fountain was originally located in front of the courthouse. Constructed of five separate pieces of Crab Orchard, TN Marble, the monument is inscribed with significant dates in the history of Washington County and the town of Jonesborough. It was gifted by the State of Tennessee and Washington County and received by former Tennessee Governor Alf Taylor during the opening ceremony of the day. The fountain not only marked the history of the town, but also its progress as the public water system had just been completed the preceding year. This is why the celebration was held in 1930 instead of 1929, the actual 150th anniversary. When Courthouse Square was redesigned in 2013, the fountain was moved to the west side of the building to open up the front step area for special events." The engravings on the marker read, "Washington District 1776; the first governmental division ever named in honor of George Washington; Washington County 1777; Jonesborough established by N.C. Act of 1779 laid out 1780; Capital of State of Franklin 1784-1785; Judicial Capital Washington District. Territory South of the River Ohio 1790-1796". There is street parking nearby. [Review 93 of 2026 - 596 in Tennessee - 25283 overall]

Just outside the center of Jonesborough, this marker adds a welcome layer of depth to a site that…read moreis easy to miss if you happen to arrive on a quiet holiday morning, as I did. The house itself was closed, which was a small disappointment, but the marker does enough heavy lifting to make the stop worthwhile and to hint at how much early Tennessee history is tucked into this one structure. It stands in a calm corner of town, the kind of place where you can picture the eighteenth century without much effort, and it rewards a moment of unhurried reading. The marker gives some history. "About one mile southwest of this location, this log house was built in 1777 by this officer 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 live here in 1788-89 while practicing law in Jonesborough. The house was moved intact to this site in 1974 to preserve it from demolition." It is marker number 1A-6 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. The marker offers a compact but evocative glimpse into Jonesborough's frontier years, and it left me looking forward to a return visit when the house is open again. [Review 94 of 2026 - 597 in Tennessee - 25284 overall]

Depending on who you might ask, either Nashville or Memphis are generally considered "Music City…read moreUSA." So to be on the far side of the state and see some music history is a pleasant surprise. The marker reads, "James Hobart (Hobe) Stanton founded Rich-R-Tone Records in Johnson City. An independent label, it was the first label dedicated to recording bluegrass music. Located at 113 West Main Street from 1946-1952, over half of the 220 songs on the Rich-R-Tone label were recorded here. Rich-R-Tone featured recordings by notable bluegrass acts including Carter and Ralph Stanley, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, and the Sauceman Brothers." The record label is no longer here but the marker remains. There is street parking nearby. [Review 20375 overall - 475 in Tennessee - 1353 of 2023.]

Before driving through the area I had looked prior to starting the drive if there were any…read moreinteresting places to see that I may never have the opportunity to see again - this covered bridge is one I had booked marked so why not. I consider these types of structures interesting and definitely qualifies as a roadside attraction and oddity in my opinion. We arrived mid-day to find a few visitors mulling around snapping a few photos and taking advantage of the free access. The Doe River below was filled with ducks and geese swimming and looking for a free handout, apparently they have become accustomed to the generosity of the visitors here. This is a well built bridge that reminds you of how things used to be built there aren't many projects now days that are built to last 143 years, although this covered bridge hasn't been in service since the Federal Highway Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation funded a $400,000 bridge rehabilitation in 2003-2004 at that time, it was closed to vehicular traffic and converted into a pedestrian-only bridge. It's definitely a survivor having withstood major flood events in 1901, 1940, 1998 and the horrific flooding in September 2024 and she still stands as beautiful as ever...

Me and my wife recently stopped by here today to see what this bridge had to offer. Ground screw…read morethat work with the city were installing Christmas lights around the area. This Bridge very historical and it features plenty of information nearby across the river. This bridge is an easy walk though there are no Scenic views at all inside . Though there are paths to walk through there is a area for pedestrians on the narrow side where everyone else gets to have the larger section.

On my way through Johnson City and looking for a place to get a meal, I spotted this marker and…read morestopped to read the history of this small city. There is parking nearby and restaurants. The marker reads, "The town was formerly known as Green Meadows, Blue Plum, Johnson's Depot, Haynesville, then Johnson City. It is situated on land grants of 1782 to Robert and Joseph Young and in 1792 to Joseph Tipton. The town charter was repealed in 1879, but incorporated in 1885. The name honors Henry Johnson, prominent merchant and postmaster. As industrial and educational center, it is the home of Milligan College, East Tennessee State University, and Steed College." It is marker number 1A-93 and was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. [Review 20376 overall - 476 in Tennessee - 1354 of 2023.]

Just a few blocks from the center of Jonesborough, this marker offers a welcome shift from the…read moreusual Southern rhythm of Colonial and Civil War history that defines so much of Tennessee's oldest town. Instead of recounting a battle or an early settlement, it pauses to honor an individual whose life stretched from enslavement to distinguished military service, and whose story links this quiet corner of Washington County to events that shaped the nation far beyond it. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Alfred Martin Ray, Buffalo Soldier. circa 1849-1917. On July 1, 1898, Lt. 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 the Ray farm near Jonesboro, he purchased Woodrow Avenue property in 1904. Alfred M. Ray is buried in College Hill Cemetery." It is marker number 1A-109 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. Standing here, the story feels more immediate than a line of text can suggest. Ray's life spanned Reconstruction, westward conflict, overseas war, and the long struggle for recognition that followed. Seeing his name in Jonesborough, not far from where he was born enslaved, underscores the distance he traveled in both geography and circumstance. Having visited the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Wilberforce and spent time with the broader history of the regiment, this marker carries an added weight. It ties the national narrative back to a single Tennessean whose service and sacrifice deserve to be remembered in the very place his journey began. [Review 92 of 2026 - 595 in Tennessee - 25282 overall]

7/25/26 My husband…read moreand I like to go on a cave trip every year for our anniversary. This year, we traveled from Ohio to the Bristol area. We took a trip to Appalachian Caverns on the second day of our trip and it became the 28th cave/cavern that we have visited in the US. We loved our tour here and our tour guide Roger was great! He was so funny while having a great balance of knowledge to share. We heard so much new information while on the tour and loved hearing about the bat population. We also got to see two bats while walking through. The bridges over the water were our favorite part. So beautiful! We highly recommend stopping in for a tour!

So they give tours about every hour or so. I think it was about 45 minutes. They had 2 tour guides…read morewhile we were there . But our tour guide complained alot about his life. We did joke around about some things, but at least pretend you enjoy your job. They had a couple cute doggos that greet you while you are there. They also have a little store with a lot of different kinds of rocks if that is your thing.