11 Towns in Tennessee With Rich History
Home to some of the country's oldest towns, Tennessee has something for the history buff in everyone, whether it is touring storied Civil War sites or heritage homes belonging to the country's most famous figures — from authors to presidents. Hike through the Great Smoky Mountains, stroll down one of the state's historic main streets, or visit a museum dating back further than the state itself.
If you are looking for a break from the crowded city life, these 11 towns will provide a refreshing escape. In the "Volunteer State," every small town has a story to tell... and every story is a past rich with history and culture.
Henning
About 50 miles north of Memphis is the small town of Henning, rich in Civil War history and African American heritage. Alex Haley, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist best known for his 1976 novel Roots, grew up in what is now the Alex Haley House & Museum, which is Tennessee's first state-owned historic site dedicated entirely to African Americans.
Henning's must-see Fort Pillow State Historic Park sits among the banks of the Mississippi River and is where one of the Civil War's most controversial battles, "The Massacre of Fort Pillow," took place. The battle left numerous artifacts that can now be found in the grounds' museum. If you fancy yourself a scenic walk, enjoy breathtaking views among the 13 miles of trails leading to the now-restored fort.
Jonesborough
A list of historical Tennessee towns would not be complete without mentioning the oldest of them all. Jonesborough, founded 17 years before being given statehood in 1779, has remained a favorite among tourists due to its stunning architecture, historic setting, and natural beauty.
Take a step back in time and walk through this 18th-century town tucked away near the Appalachian Mountains, where the center of the abolitionist movement took place. Known as the "Storytelling Capital of the World," Jonesborough has a rich storytelling heritage, and visitors can learn why when exploring the International Storytelling Center. The Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum is filled with historically accurate 19th-century furnishings and offers guided tours, a must-see for any visitor.
Elizabethton
Elizabethton holds the distinction of being the first independent American government west of the Eastern Continental Divide. For this reason, the town has enough historical offerings for anyone interested in US history.
After establishing the Watauga Association in 1772, James Robertson and Daniel Boon discovered the Watauga Oil Fields and settled in the area three years later. Buffalo Mountain Park, Sycamore Shoals State Park, and Tipton-Haynes Historic Site provide visitors with picturesque scenery. If you want to make the most of your time in this scenic town, do not miss the chance to sleep under the stars at the Watauga Dam Campground, situated along the mesmerizing and winding Watauga River.
Vonore
Vonore is ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about Tennessee's vast Native American history. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, dedicated to the influential polymath Sequoyah, who invented the Cherokee alphabet and published the first Cherokee Indian newspaper, The Phoenix. This museum provides a fascinating glimpse into Sequoyah's history and culture and the impact and influence he had, and still has, on generations. See the Fort Loudoun State Historic Park, a 1,200-acre British stronghold that continues to awe visitors wanting to learn more about this pivotal period in American history.
Townsend
Wilson B. Townsend founded the Little River Company in 1900 on what would later become a large part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No visit to Townsend would be complete without a trip underground to the Tuckaleechee Caverns in one of the oldest mountain groups on Earth. There is a reason why people call the caverns the "Greatest Site Under the Smokies." Visit the John P. Cable Mill to learn about the area's history and how it helped transition from log dwellings to a more sophisticated lumber and frame construction form of housing.
Townsend, or the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies," should be considered a top choice for anyone looking to ditch the city for peace and quiet while exploring the historic landscape.
Harriman
Famously known as "The Town that Temperance Built," Harriman has long been a popular tourist destination. The town was established in 1889 and still features much of its original Victorian architecture. Stroll down the historic streets and see the splendor of this old town while visiting antique shops and boutiques. The Harriman Heritage Museum in the Princess Theater contains artifacts and photographs that will transport you back to Harriman's past.
This community has something for everyone, whether hiking in Frozen Head State Park, seeing a play at the Princess Theater, or boating along the scenic Emory River.
Dandridge
Dandridge is the only town in the US named after Martha Dandridge Washington, wife of President George Washington. Thirteen years before Tennessee became a state, the French Broad River enticed settlers to flock to this gorgeous location, sitting along one of Tennessee's largest lakes, Douglas Lake. Visit the Jefferson County Courthouse, built in 1845, which now doubles as a museum, or stroll along the streets with buildings dating back to the early 1800s, including the historic Main Street listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rogersville
Rogersville, settled in 1775 by Davy Crockett's grandparents, is a must-see for anyone interested in US history. This historic town is renowned as the "Cradle of Tennessee Journalism" and is home to the state's oldest courthouse, newspaper, and continually operating inn. Visit the Tennessee Newspaper and Printing Museum to learn about the town's history through historic printing presses, worktables, and newspapers dating back to the 1700s.
The Thomas Amis Historic Site, which includes a restored 18th-century mansion, mill, gardens, and Tennessee's oldest stone dam, is a breathtaking view into the past. Stay at the Hale Springs Inn, a restored hotel where noteworthy guests, including Presidents James K. Polk and Andrew Jackson, have stayed.
Rugby
One of the smallest towns in the state, Rugby has fewer than 100 residents and resembles something from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
In 1966, this Victorian English village received recognition by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The town was founded in 1880 by social reformer Thomas Hughes as a haven for the younger sons of English aristocrats. Hughes' experiment failed, and many of the people died or moved away. The colony, however, survived, and today, there is a museum, historic building tours, lodging, a full-service restaurant, and over 20 of the village's original structures for tourists to experience.
Greeneville
This historic town is best known for being the starting point of President Andrew Johnson's political career. Located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, Greeneville hosts travelers all year round who appreciate the town's historic downtown district, which contains preserved buildings, stores, and eateries such as Aunt Bea's Restaurant.
For a mix of history and nature, don't miss the David Crockett Birthplace State Park, which features walking routes, picnic spaces, and a reproduction of Crockett's cabin. The historic General Morgan Inn on Main Street provides tourists a state-of-the-art experience with their A Walk With The President Tour. To learn about the 17th president's life and work, visit the President Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.
Maryville
Incorporated in 1795, this historic town, settled initially as Fort Craig, attracts tourists for its history, restaurant, brewery scene, and scenic setting among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Since then, the town has flourished into a popular tourist destination for travelers.
Engross yourself in the town's history at The Blount County Historical Museum. Just outside town, you can find a restored cabin, once a schoolhouse where Sam Houston, former President of the Republic of Texas, taught school in 1812. A trip to Maryville is incomplete without venturing to Cades Cove, a Great Smoky Mountains National Park valley. Take a bike ride—or a hike if you are up to it—around the 11-mile loop to discover the numerous trails and log cabins. Today, you can still find structures once homes and churches belonging to early settlers.
Any of these 11 places will provide a remarkable experience for any visitor interested in this country's storied and complex past. Sure, Nashville and Knoxville have their allure—and are well worth visiting if seeking something on a larger scale—but it is in these small towns where Tennessee's past is preserved through historic streets, architecture, battle sites, and a natural landscape. These places helped establish Tennessee as a critical component in the early years of the US, and they continue to inspire awe as visitors create memories in some of the country's oldest established towns.
