Historical Markers and War Memorials in Carter County, Tennessee
Elizabethton is the county seat for Carter County
Adjacent to Carter County, Tennessee
Johnson County(11) ► Sullivan County(116) ► Unicoi County(8) ► Washington County(93) ► Avery County, North Carolina(18) ► Mitchell County, North Carolina(10) ►
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On State Highway 91 at Broad Street, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 91.
About 1 mile S.W., at the home of a daughter, Mary Johnson Stover, Andrew Johnson died in 1875. He had been a senator from Tennessee; governor of Tennessee; military governor under Federal occupation; vice-president of the United States and 17th . . . — — Map (db m157912) HM
On East Elk Avenue just west of Post Office Street, on the left when traveling east.
Barnes Boring was officially established as a corporation on February 26, 1900 with J. M. Barnes and J. R. Boring as principal stockholders. The two gentlemen died just months from each other nearly 30 years after beginning their partnership. — — Map (db m192800) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) 0.1 miles east of Hudson Drive, on the right when traveling east.
In the 1920s, German and Dutch investors established two factories for the production of rayon in Elizabethton: American Bemberg Corporation and North American Rayon Corporation. The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC), . . . — — Map (db m135498) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Bemberg Road, on the right when traveling east.
These concrete footings held the Bemberg Water Tower which supplied water to the ET&WNC (Tweetsie) steam engines in the early 1900’s. Project funded by www.cartercountyhistory.com website and the alumni of the 2014-2015 Carter County Adult . . . — — Map (db m135497) HM
On East Elk Avenue east of South Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east.
This walkway now exists where once the Grand Theater, the first theater in Elizabethton, stood. The theater had a balcony for blacks only, but legend has it that sometimes white men snuck up the stairs to join them and smoke cigars. — — Map (db m192802) HM
Near West G Street (Tennessee Route 67) at West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321), on the right when traveling west.
Nearby Buffalo Creek is one of numerous place names in the Southern Appalachian mountains that serve as reminders that the buffalo, or American bison, was once plentiful in the region. In 1769 Daniel Boone narrowly escaped being trampled by a . . . — — Map (db m184052) HM
On East Elk Avenue east of South Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east.
Established in 1892 by Harry Burgie, Burgie Drug, a revered establishment which was visited frequently by Elizabethton residents, served the community as a pharmacy and convenience store. — — Map (db m192801) HM
On North Main Street at East Elk Avenue, in the median on North Main Street.
In Memory of Mary Patton who made the powder that fought the King’s M’T’N’ Battle placed by her great grand son. T.Y. Patton
Built in honor of all soldiers of Carter County in all the wars from the revolution down to this date, 1912, by . . . — — Map (db m135496) HM WM
Carter County’s railroad history is the story of three trains – the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, better known as Tweetsie (1881-1951); the Southern Railroad (1911-1940); and the North American Rayon Steam Engine (1936-1992). The . . . — — Map (db m46561) HM
John Carter
- 1781
Chairman of Watauga Association and of the five commissioners who established that first written compact for civil government by American-born freemen. Chairman of Committee of Safety. In Revolution, colonel of militia . . . — — Map (db m157908) HM
On Southside Road, on the right when traveling east.
Cedar Grove Cemetery was originally established as a "colored cemetery" in the early nineteenth century on a tract of land adjacent to a trail that became known as Gap Creek Road. The remote and rocky terrain often required the use of dynamite to . . . — — Map (db m81370) HM
Near East Elk Avenue east of South Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east.
On this location the citizens of Elizabethton, Tennessee have dedicated a Time Capsule as the finale of their year long celebration of Elizabethton’s 200 Years. The capsule buried here is to be opened in the year 2099 AD. With this . . . — — Map (db m192864) HM
On South Riverside Drive at 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north on South Riverside Drive.
This bridge over Doe River was built early in 1882 at a cost to the county of $3000 for the bridge and $300 for the approaches. The site was chosen by J.J. McCorkle, Wiley Christian and H.M. Rentfro. The committee were Thomas E. Matson, Engineer, . . . — — Map (db m46706) HM
On Academy Street, 0.1 miles south of Broad Street (U.S. 19E).
These stones are from the foundation of the academy established Sept. 13, 1806, with Maj. George Duffield, Chairman, Nathaniel Taylor, George Williams, Alexander Doran & John Greer, Trustees. In 1807, Andrew Taylor, Abraham Henry and Reuben Thornton . . . — — Map (db m46607) HM
On Church Street at South Lynn Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Church Street.
This independent semi-professional barnstorming Negro baseball team consisted of young men from Elizabethton, Johnson City, Kingsport, Greeneville, Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, Bristol, and Martinsville, Virginia. Because of segregation, their . . . — — Map (db m157901) HM
On South Riverside Drive north of Hattie Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
In 1772 the first court west of the Alleghanies was held under this tree
Additional marker:
In 1772, four years before the Declaration of Independence, settlers in the Watauga Valley adopted the “Articles of the Watauga . . . — — Map (db m157905) HM
On Monument Place at G Street, on the right when traveling west on Monument Place.
To the memory of the patriots who on their way to King's Mountain under Sevier, Shelby and Campbell assembled here September 25, 1780
Additional inscriptions:
Fort Watauga, First (Settlers) Fort Built West of the Alleghanies. 1770 . . . — — Map (db m170566) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) at West Mill Street on West Elk Avenue.
The Tipton family cemetery, it stood near the homesite of Samuel Tipton (1752-1833) and Susannah Reneau (1767-1853). Col. John Tipton, father of Samuel, deeded it to him in 1784. The house was later the home of a nephew, Isaac P. Tipton, whose . . . — — Map (db m81371) HM
Near Sparks Road just north of Milligan Highway (Tennessee Route 359), on the right when traveling north.
During the early years of European settlement in this valley, Mary McKeechan Patton (1751-1836) operated a gunpowder mill along Powder Branch not far to the south of this spot. Mary McKeechan was born in England and her family immigrated to . . . — — Map (db m183985) HM
On Milligan Highway (State Highway 359) at Blowers Boulevard (State Highway 2530), on the left when traveling south on Milligan Highway.
Buffalo Creek Christian Church organized here in 1830. In 1867 Buffalo Male & Female Institute was established by Rev. W.G. Barker on land given by Joshua Williams. Josephus Hopgood of Ky. purchased it in 1875, naming it Milligan College in 1882, . . . — — Map (db m157861) HM
Near State Highway 67 just north of Monument Place, on the left when traveling north.
The stone obelisk on the hill to the south, erected in 1909 by the Daughters of the American Revolution, is dedicated "To the memory of the patriots who, on their way to King's Mountain under Sevier, Shelby, and Campbell, assembled here September . . . — — Map (db m183937) HM
On East Elk Avenue just west of Post Office Street, on the left when traveling east.
At least one account has it that in 1908 the post office moved into this building which was owned by Postmaster E. C. Alexander. In July 1920, Dr. C. C. Hacker opened medical offices in this building. — — Map (db m192799) HM
On U.S. 19E at Valley Forge Christian Church Road, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 19E.
At Valley Forge, Dan Ellis usually assembled for Federal regiments whom he guided over obscure mountain trails to Kentucky, while East Tennessee was under Confederate control. Born 1827 and a veteran of the Mexican War, he was subsequently Captain . . . — — Map (db m135595) HM
On Milligan Highway (State Highway 359) at Powder Branch Road (State Highway 2558), on the right when traveling east on Milligan Highway.
100 yards upstream at a falls stood an old powder mill, where Mary McKeehan Patton made powder for the soldiers who went to King's Mountain, Oct. 7, 1780. Michael Hyder, Sr., signer of the Halifax Petition in 1776 lived here and is buried on the . . . — — Map (db m157864) HM
On North Sycamore Street just north of East E Street, on the left when traveling north.
The older (eastmost) portion of this building, Classical Revival in design, originally served as Elizabethton’s main post office. James A. Wetmore, working for the WPA, designed the building in 1931, and it was constructed in 1933. — — Map (db m183929) HM
Near West G Street (Tennessee Route 67) 0.1 miles west of Sabine Street, on the left when traveling west.
Bringing Sabine Hill Back to Life Sabine Hill remained in the Taylor family through the latter 1940s. In August 1936, W. Jeter Eason with the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) visited Sabine Hill and took detailed photographs . . . — — Map (db m174641) HM
Near West G Street (Tennessee Route 67) at U.S. 321, on the left when traveling west.
Sabine Hill, the large Federal-style structure on the knoll to the south, is one of the oldest surviving homes in Carter County. General Nathaniel Taylor (1771-1816), a veteran, of the War of 1812, began the construction of Sabine Hill shortly after . . . — — Map (db m174643) HM
On New Elizabethton Highway (Tennessee Route 67) 0.3 miles north of Buck Van Huss Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Built about 1818 by Mary (“Polly”) Patton Taylor, widow of Gen. Nathaniel Taylor, of the War of 1812. Both are buried in the cemetery nearby. Among their great-grandsons were Governors Alfred A. and Robert L. Taylor, of Tennessee, and Nathaniel . . . — — Map (db m46387) HM
On North Main Street at East Elk Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
Although Tennessee voted to secede from the Union in June 1861, East Tennessee remained staunchly loyal. The residents of Carter County voted against secession, 1,343 to 86.
One of those residents, Admiral and General Samuel P. Carter (born . . . — — Map (db m135600) HM
On East Elk Avenue, 0.1 miles west of Veterans Memorial Parkway (U.S. 19E), on the right when traveling west.
Born in this house. After attending Washington College and Princeton, graduated from U.S. Naval Academy; serving in the Navy until May 1, 1862, he was appointed brigadier general, U.S. Volunteers. His most conspicuous service was a raid into East . . . — — Map (db m46749) HM
On East Elk Avenue east of South Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east.
This plaque is dedicated to Samuel Tipton, founder of Elizabethton. Born in 1752, Samuel Tipton was the eldest son of Col. John and Mary Butler Tipton. A Revolutionary War soldier, he owned the land on which Elizabethton is now located. His Green . . . — — Map (db m157907) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) 0.1 miles south of Williams Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Sycamore Shoals, located just to the north of this spot, was a significant place in early American history. The site is named for a stretch of shallow rapids along the Watauga River and for the abundant sycamore trees along its banks. The shoals . . . — — Map (db m157870) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In this neighborhood, on Sept. 26, 1780, Rev. Samuel Doak conducted religious services for the frontiersmen from Virginia and North Carolina, including the Watauga and other settlements in what is now Tennessee, upon the start of their decisive . . . — — Map (db m47152) HM
Near Broad Street, 0.1 miles east of Circle Drive, on the left when traveling east.
“The Mansion” was built before 1780 by John Carter and his son Landon. John Carter was chairman of the Watauga Association, a court of five men elected by the settlers of the Watauga Count in May 1772, “to govern and direct for the . . . — — Map (db m47102) HM
Near West G Street (Tennessee Route 67) 0.1 miles west of Sabine Street, on the left when traveling west.
"Happy Valley" and Sabine Hill (1778-1853) In 1778, during the Revolutionary War, Andrew Taylor traveled from Virginia to what would later become eastern Tennessee. Taylor settled near this location on the Powder Branch of Buffalo . . . — — Map (db m174640) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In this valley, March 17, 1775, the Transylvania Company, led by Richard Henderson, John Williams and Nathaniel Hart, bought from the Cherokee, led by Chief Oconostota, all the lands between the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers. Over 20 million acres . . . — — Map (db m47196) HM
Near West G Street (Tennessee Route 67) 0.1 miles west of Sabine Street, on the left when traveling west.
Understanding Early Inhabitants East Tennessee has been the site of continuous human occupation for thousands of years. Archaeology is an important tool for understanding the early inhabitants of Sabine Hill. Through the study of . . . — — Map (db m174639) HM
On Franklin Club Drive, 0.2 miles West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321), on the left when traveling west.
After the July 21, 1776 attack, the second fort was built on land owned by Sevier, and joining the historic shoals on the Watauga River he and his family played a major role in the Watauga Association and the early settlement of Tennessee. . . . — — Map (db m157866) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west.
400 yards northward and ½ mile northeast of the mouth of Gap Creek, stood Watauga Fort. Here, July 21, 1776, the settlers under Captain James Robertson repulsed the Cherokees under Old Abraham of Chilhowee, and Lt. John Sevier rescued . . . — — Map (db m47187) HM
On East Elk Avenue at North Main Street, on the right when traveling west on East Elk Avenue.
Where the Watauga Association was formed in 1772, being the first place west of the Alleghenies where men joined together in a written compact for civil government and for the preservation of their ideals of liberty.
The Thirteen Commissioners . . . — — Map (db m135499) HM
On West Elk Avenue (U.S. 321) west of Franklin Club Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Here, March 19, 1775, at the Sycamore Shoals, the Watauga Association, Charles Robertson, Trustee, bought from the Cherokee, with Oconostota as chief, lands along the Watauga, Holston and Great Canaway (now New) Rivers. The consideration for the . . . — — Map (db m47180) HM
On U.S. 19E at Mill Pond Road, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 19E. Reported missing.
1/2 mile E. of Valley Forge on Doe River are the ruins of an iron furnace built in 1820 by William B. Carter of Elizabethton. It was purchased in 1824 by James, John, and Joseph O'Brien and William Gott. They owned 9000 acres of land and operated . . . — — Map (db m219553) HM
Near U.S. 19E, 0.1 miles south of Spring Street, on the right when traveling south.
The East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad was chartered in 1866 as a 5 ft “broad gauge” line from Johnson’s Depot (now Johnson City) to the Cranberry Iron Works in North Carolina. Construction began in 1868 but was halted . . . — — Map (db m157059) HM
On Elizabethton Highway (Tennessee Route 91) at Fleming Road, on the right when traveling west on Elizabethton Highway.
[Front] Established 1796 named in honor of
Landon Carter
Treasurer of Washington and Hamilton Districts. Speaker of the first State of Franklin Senate, later its Secretary of State, also Lieutenant Colonel of the Washington . . . — — Map (db m45948) HM
Near Happy Valley Road just north of Milligan Highway (Tennessee Route 359), on the left when traveling north.
Railroads were a major force in developing southern Appalachia, bringing jobs, commerce, industry, and transportation to local communities. However, the mountainous terrain presented unique challenges to their construction. The East Tennessee and . . . — — Map (db m184200) HM
Near Happy Valley Road just north of Milligan Highway (Tennessee Route 359), on the left when traveling north.
In 1902, the Cranberry Furnace Company opened this quarry to provide lime for the Johnson City iron foundry. The quarry featured a crusher and a 924' railroad siding to load the crushed lime on to the ET&WNC train for transportation to Johnson . . . — — Map (db m184199) HM
On Elizabethton Highway (Tennessee Route 91) at Smalling Road, on the right when traveling east on Elizabethton Highway.
6.5 miles northwest, at the mouth of Brush Creek, is a mill built by Jeremiah Dungan in 1779, and continuously operated since then. East of it was a stone fort erected by pioneers of the Watauga Settlement.
Dungan and other pioneers are buried . . . — — Map (db m45997) HM
Near Greenlee Road at Cedar Grove Road, on the right when traveling north.
"Gandy dancer" is a term that came to be used for the laborers who built and maintained railroad tracks prior to the mechanization of most of those tasks. The origin of the term is uncertain, although some suggest that it referred to the movement . . . — — Map (db m184189) HM
Near Happy Valley Road just north of Milligan Highway (Tennessee Route 359), on the left when traveling north.
High grade magnetite iron ore was found at the base of Roan Mountain near Cranberry, NC after the War of 1812. A "bloomery", or iron smelter, was built at Cranberry in 1820 to process the ore and supply iron to the Confederacy during the Civil War. . . . — — Map (db m184266) HM
Near Cedar Grove Road, 0.1 miles west of Milligan Highway (Tennessee Route 359), on the right when traveling north.
Not far from this spot stood the Milligan College Flag Stop, which from 1896 until 1934 provided shade and shelter for passengers who waited for the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad — the "Tweetsie" — to take them either west to . . . — — Map (db m184193) HM
Near Emmanuel Drive north of Cedar Grove Road, on the left when traveling north.
Washington County, then part of North Carolina, was established in 1777 during the height of the American Revolution, replacing the earlier Washington District (1776) and Watauga Association (1772). On February 23, 1778, the first court of the new . . . — — Map (db m184139) HM
Near Greenlee Road at Cedar Grove Road, on the right when traveling north.
The East Tennessee and Western NC Railroad (ET&WNC) became affectionately known as the "Tweetsie" because of the distinctive sound of its steam whistle. In addition, the railroad was famous for its small-town charm, earning the nickname of "the . . . — — Map (db m184162) HM
On Governor Alf Taylor Road east of Country Garden Road, on the left when traveling east.
The Edmund Williams family, pioneers of
the area. owned the original log cabin at
this site. Owner Joshua Williams (1808-1895)
enlarged the house and in 1866 gave land
for Buffalo Institute. Now Milligan College,
it was established by Col. W. . . . — — Map (db m157849) HM
On Hwy 143, 0.1 miles north of Smith Branch Road, on the left when traveling north.
First Night's Encampment of King's Mountain Men. Sept. 26, 1780 They trusted in God and kept their powder dry Placed by John Sevier Chapter DAR 1910 Reset 1965 — — Map (db m221241) HM
On Tennessee Route 143, 0.5 miles north of Sugar Hollow Road, on the left when traveling south.
Visiting this area over 100 years ago, you would have found these mountains to be logged and pastured. During the later half of the 1800's a new industry found its way to East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
An iron ore mine was operated . . . — — Map (db m177171) HM
On Watauga Road (Tennessee Route 400) 0.1 miles west of Smalling Road, on the left when traveling west.
Range School was in operation prior to Oct. 29, 1843. It began as a common school with classes held in a log sheep barn donated by Jonathan Range. In 1901, a one-room frame building was constructed near the original site. A brick building was . . . — — Map (db m53528) HM
