Kingsport in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Exchange Place

Gaines-Preston Farm

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 23, 2022

1. Exchange Place Marker

Inscription. Located on the Western Stage Road, this double log house, arranged in “saddle bag” style, was called Exchange Place because it was used to exchange stagecoach horses and currencies. From 1816 to 1846 it served as the main house for the plantation owned by John Gaines. John Preston, of Abingdon, Virginia, bought the western half of the farm in 1846 and gave it to his son James as a wedding gift. In 1970 the Preston-Stuart family gave Exchange Place to the Netherland Inn Association for restoration. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected by The Junior League of Kingsport.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 36° 32.61′ N, 82° 29.154′ W. Marker is in Kingsport, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on Orebank Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport TN 37664, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Roseland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yancey's Tavern (approx. 1.6 miles away); Battle of Island Flats (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Island Flats

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(approx. 2 miles away); The First Kingsport Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Veterans Monument (approx. 2½ miles away); Martin-Dobyns House (approx. 2.7 miles away); Rock Ledge (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingsport.

Regarding Exchange Place. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:

Exchange Place was built the the early 1800's and was occupied many years by the Gaines family. In 1816 John S. Gaines, great nephew of Captain James Gaines, Revolutionary War soldier and North Carolina legislator, purchased a 130-acre tract of land in Sullivan County on which the main house and store were built. It is known that John Gaines occupied the log house which is a part of the main house today and operated a store there for many years.

The name “Exchange Place” is significant as it grew from the fact that the store was used as a place to exchange currency in the days when each State had its own monetary system. In addition to its use as a store and stage stop, Exchange Place was a large farm complex. John Gaines increased his land holdings until he had 2147 acres in his farm.

Also see . . .

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 23, 2022

2. Exchange Place Marker

Preston Farm (PDF). National Register nomination for the farm, which was listed in 1971. (National Archives) (Submitted on November 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 716 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.