Johnson City in Washington County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Journey of André Michaux
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026
1. The Journey of André Michaux Marker
André Michaux was born in France in 1746. He became interested in botany as a young man and studied plants in England, France and Persia (Iran). In 1785 he went to America with his young son to study how forest trees could be transplanted to France. Michaux established a plantation near Charleston, South Carolina to grow plants that he collected while in America. He kept a journal for nearly eleven years of travel in America: from Florida in the south to the Hudson Bay of Canada in the north and from Philadelphia and Charleston on the Atlantic coast to the most remote western settlements, including the Indian lands of Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. In 1802, Michaux died of fever on the island of Madagascar (located off the southeastern side of Africa).
Michaux stayed at the home of Col. John Tipton on May 14, 1795 and again on March 20, 1796. Both men were acquaintances of Thomas Jefferson who recommended places for Michaux to stay while on his travels. Some of the flowers that Michaux identified while at Col. Tipton's still grow in the site's woods and meadows. They are shown below.
Erected 2003 by Harris
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Exploration • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1795.
Location. 36° 17.6′ N, 82° 19.996′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is on South Roan Street north of Buffalo Road. The marker is located on the grounds of the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. Location is near the Limestone Cave entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2620 S Roan St, Johnson City TN 37601, 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
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026
2. Closeup of the flowers identified by André Michaux during his exploration in the area
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Limestone Cave (within shouting distance of this marker); Still House (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Pig Sty (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Corn Crib (about 300 feet away); First English-Speaking Visitors (about 400 feet away); Buffalo Trace (about 400 feet away); Barn (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026
3. Closeup of the journeys of André Michaux
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026
4. The Journey of André Michaux Marker in the meadow near the Limestone Cave
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
