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 marker is along Watauga and there is a spot to stop and read the marker. It is next to Carver…read morePark. It has the same text on both sides. The marker reads, "On September 2, 1811, James Nelson deeded to trustees William Nelson, William Duzan, James King, Jacob Hoss and John R. Boring, 4 acres and 8 poles to be used by the Methodist Episcopal Church for a house of worship. For many years a campground for religious meetings was maintained here with a central permanent tent and many family tents. During the Civil War Col. Robert Love's 62nd N.C. Regiment, CSA used the ground as a camp." It is marker number 1A-89 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. It does not have a date for when it was installed but it is well faded. [Review 266 of 2025 - 570 in Tennessee - 23829 overall]

Absolutely fantastic. Elmer and the staff are super friendly and the accommodations are great. Best…read morenights sleep we have had our entire time hiking the AT. The house has so much history to it which makes the price even more incredible. Our only regret is that we didn't make it for dinner or breakfast. They looked amazing.

Absolutely loved it, spent two there coming off the Trail for resupply! Giant house, lots of…read morehistory. Comfy, clean beds , food awesome!! Highly recommend!!

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]

Unicoi County is named for the Native American word for the southern Appalachian Mountains, which…read moremeans "white or fog-draped." The county was created in 1875 and Erwin was selected as the county seat. This is the third courthouse to serve Unicoi County, replacing earlier courthouses from 1878 and 1915. The building faces northwest and is a two-story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. It is in a Modernist style with a sturdy yet streamlined design. The façade features a concrete porch supported by seven rectangular pillars. A wide concrete band runs along the flat roofline, emphasizing horizontal geometry. The courthouse operates the Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, General Sessions, and Juvenile for Tennessee's 1st Judicial District. I was able to find street parking and walk the grounds easily. [Review 640 of 2025 - 578 in Tennessee - 24201 overall]

To save time, I tried doing my business online for tax prep. I logged in to the main SS site with…read more.gov credentials and got locked out, couldn't proceed. Error message told me to call. I called the main SS # and waited on the phone for over an hour, no response. I wasn't too optimistic about calling the local office but tried anyway since I need that missing 1099. I waited on the phone for about 7 minutes but a real person actually answered (instead of the automated message). We were able to track the missing 1099 which was sent to a wrong address. So the agent updated my correct address and printed a new 1099 which is going to be sent out today. I'm greatly appreciative of the considerate service I got in light of recent firings, layoffs, budget cuts, or early buyouts with the current administration "cleaning" our government. Thank you for assisting me, you are all greatly appreciated

Excellent service every single visit (and we've been here several times since moving to TN). The…read moreguard at the front is always so nice and super helpful. The staff behind the windows have been extremely helpful and patient. It's been a pleasure coming to this office!!

Erwin feels like that in‑between place, big enough to have a bit of bustle but still small enough…read morethat its history sits right out in the open, and this marker is a good example of that rhythm. It highlights a mid‑century business that once shaped the town's identity before fading into memory. The marker reads, "Beginning operations in 1917, Southern Potteries, Inc. was fostered by the Carolina, Clinchfield, and Ohio Railroad. For many years, it was one of the nation's largest producers of hand-painted-under-the-glaze pottery, sold under the name "Blue Ridge". Located on Watauga Avenue, the factory hired hundreds of local artists to paint the pottery. Department stores had their own designs, and breakfast cereals offered starter sets. In January of 1957, the board of directors voted to close the pottery. Collectors still seek out examples of this pottery from Erwin's past." It is marker number 1A-151 and it was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission. There is room to pull over to read the marker and a large parking lot. [Review 103 of 2026 - 601 in Tennessee - 25293 overall]

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.