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

Vernacular Domestic Outbuildings

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

1. Vernacular Domestic Outbuildings Marker

Inscription. This small domestic outbuilding has been attributed to being built by Samuel and Lawson Simerly sometime in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Limited documentation exists of how the Simerly brothers used the structure, but it may have been for storage or a possible workshop. The outbuilding was completely transformed during the late 1960s restoration of the site. The northern wall was removed and double doors were installed. A mowing tractor was housed within the outbuilding during the 1970s and 1980s. The double doors were removed and the outbuilding was restored to the Simerly time period in 1991.

Another domestic outbuilding once stood between the Simerly structure and the Landon Carter Haynes law office. The building was demolished during the late 1960s restoration of the site and no documentation was taken of its possible use or when it may have been constructed. Only a few photographs document the existence of this former structure.

(Caption)
This photograph shows the Simerly outbuilding being restored in 1991.
This mid 1960s photographic negative shows the dilapidated Simerly outbuilding and demolished structure.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission.

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

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• Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.

Location. 36° 17.658′ N, 82° 20.085′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is on South Rowan Road north of Buffalo Road, on the right when traveling south. 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 South Rowan Road, 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: Necessary (a few steps from this marker); Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ell (within shouting distance of this marker); George Haynes Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Tipton Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Corn Crib (within shouting distance of this marker); Barn (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Wide view Vernacular Domestic Outbuildings Marker and Workshop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

2. Wide view Vernacular Domestic Outbuildings Marker and Workshop

Self-guided Walk Map showing location of the marker (no. 9) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 12, 2026

3. Self-guided Walk Map showing location of the marker (no. 9)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.