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

Pig Sty

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

1. Pig Sty Marker

Inscription. This pig sty or hog pen was reconstructed in 1967. Nearly a year after John Tipton, Jr. died in 1831, an inventory of his estate was recorded. Listed in the recording was 2 sows (adult female pigs) and their piglets, 5 first choice head of hogs, 2 second choice head of hogs, and 6 third choice head of hogs. The 1850 Federal Agricultural Census documents Landon Carter Haynes as having forty pigs. Archaeological digs from 1985, 1986, and 1989 discovered a midden or trash pit between the house and law office that contained several fragments of pig bones.

A pig sty was a two-fold need for the Tipton and Haynes families. Protection of livestock was a constant concern with predatory animals such as bear, coyote, and wolves living on nearby Buffalo Mountain. Pigs were also placed within the sty to be fattened for several weeks before being slaughtered. Once slaughtered, the meat could be used to feed the family or sell for a profit. Fat or lard from the slaughtered pig would also have been used for cooking and making soap and candles.

(photo caption) This late 1960s photograph shows the newly reconstructed pig sty.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Animals • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 36° 17.644′ N, 82° 20.033′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is on South Roan Street. The marker is located on the grounds of the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. See the self-guided walk map at the start of the tour of the grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2620 S Roan Street, Johnson City TN 37604, 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: Barn (a few steps from this marker); First English-Speaking Visitors (within shouting distance of this marker); Corn Crib (within shouting distance of this marker); George Haynes Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Necessary (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Still House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Reconstructed Pig Sty and Marker. The Visitors Center is in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

2. Reconstructed Pig Sty and Marker. The Visitors Center is in the background

Self-guided Walk Map showing location of the marker (no. 4) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

3. Self-guided Walk Map showing location of the marker (no. 4)

Front of the reconstructed Pig Sty. Marker is to the right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

4. Front of the reconstructed Pig Sty. Marker is to the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.