Mountain City in Johnson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

House of the Rising Sun

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2020

1. House of the Rising Sun Marker

Inscription. Clarence "Tom" Ashley was the first to record this song in 1933. He learned it from his grandfather, Enoch.

Painted by Michael Eggers and Andy Wright

Erected by East Tennessee Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 36° 28.475′ N, 81° 48.252′ W. Marker is in Mountain City, Tennessee, in Johnson County. It is at the intersection of North Church Street and West Main Street, on the left when traveling north on North Church Street. The painting and marker are on the east facing wall of Farmers State Bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 N Church St, Mountain City TN 37683, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

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

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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: Handsome Molly (here, next to this marker); Amazing Grace (here, next to this marker); Train 45 (a few steps from this marker); Tom Dooley (a few steps from this marker); The Ballad of Finley Preston (a few steps from this marker); G.B. Grayson (a few steps from this marker); Little Ragged Joe 1947 (a few steps from this marker); Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley's (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain City.

Also see . . . Rising Sun Blues (House of the Rising Sun). YouTube recording by Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster

YouTube description The oldest known existing recording is by Appalachian artists Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster and was made in 1933. Ashley said he had learned it from his grandfather, Enoch Ashley. Alger "Texas" Alexander's "The Risin' Sun," recorded in 1928, is sometimes mentioned as the first recording,
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2020

2. House of the Rising Sun Marker
but is a completely different song.

(Submitted on April 30, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Wide view of song murals. House of the Rising Sun Marker is far left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 28, 2026

3. Wide view of song murals. House of the Rising Sun Marker is far left.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.