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

Samuel Cole Williams

January 15, 1864 - December 14, 1947

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 2709

1. Samuel Cole Williams Marker

Inscription.
Culminating his career as an attorney, teacher, codifier of law, and justice of the State Supreme Court, Judge Samuel Cole Williams — the Dean of Tennessee Historians — provided in the 1940's the leadership and inspiration for a reawakening of interest in Tennessee history. Judge Williams contributed immeasurably to the written history of Tennessee through exhaustive research, scholarly and prolific writing and the re-printing and editing of important documentary works. As Chairman of the reactivated Tennessee Historical Commission Judge Williams enhanced the historical consciousness of Tennesseans by inspiring others to write state history, by leading in the preservation of significant landmarks, and by guiding the observance of Tennessee's sesquicentennial anniversary of statehood.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 88.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list.

Location. 36° 19.086′ N, 82° 21.071′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It is on S. Roan St. near Library Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Sevier Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Science Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnson City Sessions (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Johnson City Sessions (about 600 feet away); Main Street (about 600 feet away); James Hobart Stanton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rich-R-Tone Records (approx. 0.2 miles away); Johnson City (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 27, 2009

2. Samuel Cole Williams Marker

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 27, 2009

3. Samuel Cole Williams Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,413 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on May 7, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.