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

Handsome Molly

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2020

1. Handsome Molly Marker

Inscription. First recorded by blind fiddler G.B. Grayson, this become a standard of Old Time and Bluegrass Music.

Painted by Ina Bellamy and Jason Hughes

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 1927.

Location. 36° 28.476′ N, 81° 48.251′ 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 marker and painting are on the east facing side of Farmers State Bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 N Church Street, 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 Cherokee

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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: Amazing Grace (here, next to this marker); House of the Rising Sun (here, next to this marker); Train 45 (here, next to 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 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain City.

Also see . . . G.B. Grayson - Handsome Molly (YouTube, 3:05). (Submitted on December 21, 2024.)

Handsome Molly Painting image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2020

2. Handsome Molly Painting

Series of song murals. Handsome Molly Marker is 2nd from the left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 28, 2026

3. Series of song murals. Handsome Molly Marker is 2nd from the left

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 21 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.