Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Public Library

— Elizabethton Walking Tour —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2021

1. Public Library Marker

Inscription.
The older (eastmost) portion of this building, Classical Revival in design, originally served as Elizabethton’s main post office. James A. Wetmore, working for the WPA, designed the building in 1931, and it was constructed in 1933.

Erected by Elizabethton Walking Tour. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 36° 20.94′ N, 82° 12.897′ W. Marker is in Elizabethton, Tennessee, in Carter County. It is on North Sycamore Street just north of East E Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located beside the flag pole at the southeast corner of the former U.S. Post Office building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Sycamore Street, Elizabethton TN 37643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ritz Theater (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barnes Boring Hardware (about 400 feet away); Betsy Walkway (about 500 feet away); Samuel Tipton (about 500 feet away); Burgie Drug

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(about 500 feet away); City of Elizabethton Bicentennial (about 500 feet away); 60 Missing in Action and Prisoners of War from Carter County (about 500 feet away); Distinguished Service Cross Recipients from Carter County (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Post Office (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Public Library. National Register of Historic Places #83003024. Now home to the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2021

2. Public Library Marker

(southeast corner of former U.S. Post Office in background)

Former Elizabethton U.S. Post Office Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2021

3. Former Elizabethton U.S. Post Office Cornerstone

A W Mellon
Secretary of the Treasury
James A Wetmore
Acting Supervising Architect
1932

U.S. Post Office image. Click for more information.

via NPS, unknown

4. U.S. Post Office

NPGallery Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.

Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2021

5. Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library Entrance

(facing East E Street • ½ block west of marker)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2021

6. Public Library Marker

(east end of today’s Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on December 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5, 6. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.