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

Little Ragged Joe 1947

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 28, 2026

1. Little Ragged Joe 1947 Marker

Inscription.
Mr. Joe Blackburn came to Mountain City from the Midwest and Chicago area; he was a World World I Veteran. He loved Mountain City and decided to stay here, where he built Blackburn's supermarket (the Food Country of yesteryear).

In 1947, Ragged Joe built an addition to his supermarket and thus the sign Little Ragged Joe 1947 came to be, as he used this little sign for the corner pin of the new addition.

Mr. Blackburn was responsible for bringing Mr. Nelson Gray to Mountain City as well as Albert and Edna Mae Michaels. Mr. Blackburn built Michaels Department Store and owned various properties and a farm in Cold Springs. His family ties included Mr. Bill Eller and Mr. Fred Proffit of Mountain City.

Mr. Nelson Gray purchased an interest in Blackburn's Supermarket upon coming to Mountain City and Purchased the store outright on Mr. Blackburn's death in 1957.

Thus this sign
Little Ragged Joe 1947

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 36° 28.472′ N, 81° 48.237′ W. Marker is in Mountain City, Tennessee, in Johnson

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County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Church Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 East Main St, 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 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: G.B. Grayson (here, next to this marker); Handsome Molly (a few steps from this marker); Amazing Grace (a few steps from this marker); House of the Rising Sun (a few steps from this marker); Train 45 (a few steps from this marker); Tom Dooley (within shouting distance of this marker);

Little Ragged Joe 1947 Marker attached at the bottom of an information kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, April 28, 2026

2. Little Ragged Joe 1947 Marker attached at the bottom of an information kiosk

Food Country, at the location of the original grocery store founded by Joe Blackburn, is in the background. The Food Country store closed in late 2025.

The Ballad of Finley Preston (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley's (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain City.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.