Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Jonesborough, TN
Year Listed: 2005
In the heart of the scenic Southern Appalachians, Jonesborough, Tennessee, (pop. 4,200) is a small town with a big story. Tennessee's oldest town, Jonesborough witnessed a famous duel involving Andrew Jackson, then a hot-headed young lawyer practicing in the frontier settlement. Jackson dodged a bullet that day, and the town went on to play host to the other two Tennessee presidents - James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson - before and during their tenures in the White House.
Building facades in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Credit: Patrick McIntyre
Today’s Jonesborough celebrates its rich history with a beautifully preserved downtown where visitors can stroll Main Street’s brick sidewalks or take a guided horse-and-carriage tour. The town is famous for a number of annual festivals that celebrate the arts and culture of the Appalachian region. Since 1973, the prestigious National Storytelling Festival has been held here each year in early October, drawing throngs to hear colorful tale-spinners from all over the country. Warm summer evenings provide a perfect setting for Music on the Square, a free celebration of the arts that features live performances by local and regional bands, storytellers, poets and other artists. Nearby, the Jonesborough/Washington County History Museum traces the story of the area from 1770 to the present day with a collection of treasures ranging from two hand-pumped fire engines to a fine example of the famed Tennessee long rifle; the museum also owns and operates a restored 1883 one-room schoolhouse.
For these reasons, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, today named Jonesborough, Tennessee, to its 2005 list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States. It was selected from nearly 80 destinations in 44 states that were nominated by individuals, preservation organizations and local communities.
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