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

Watauga Purchase

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

1. Watauga Purchase Marker

Inscription. Here, March 19, 1775, at the Sycamore Shoals, the Watauga Association, Charles Robertson, Trustee, bought from the Cherokee, with Oconostota as chief, lands along the Watauga, Holston and Great Canaway (now New) Rivers. The consideration for the purchase was 2000 Pounds Sterling.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 53.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1795.

Location. 36° 20.637′ N, 82° 15.073′ W. Marker is in Elizabethton, Tennessee, in Carter County. It is on West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located along the entrance way into Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site, approximately 300 feet from West Elk Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1651 West Elk Avenue, 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: Transylvania Purchase (a few steps from this marker); Watauga Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Tipton Family (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dedicated to the Spirit of the Overmountain Men (about 400 feet away); David Crockett (about 500 feet away); John Crockett: Frontier Ranger (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethton.

Also see . . .
1. TN State Parks: Sycamore Shoals State Park: Historic Park. Sycamore Shoals played a significant role in 18th-Century history as the setting for some of the most dramatic events to occur in the expansion of America's western boundary. (Submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. Watauga Association | Entries | Tennessee Encyclopedia. (Submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Wide view of the Watauga Purchase Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

2. Wide view of the Watauga Purchase Marker

Watauga Purchase Marker at its updated location along the entrance way into Sycamore Shoals Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 14, 2025

3. Watauga Purchase Marker at its updated location along the entrance way into Sycamore Shoals Park

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,752 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.