Destination: Jonesborough, TN

It’s fall again, and that means time for Chris and I to hit the road for our vacation destination.  As always, we were on the hunt for that little known vacation destination treasure.  Not surprisingly, Pinterest played a part in our plans this year.  If you’re a Follower, you know that I have pin boards for many of the surrounding states and Tennessee was once a popular spot for us to vacation before we moved on to North Carolina and northern Georgia.  So Jonesborough, TN was one of the interesting pins that made it to my TN board and we decided to check it out.  Therefore, vacation destination: Jonesborough, TN!

Chris came up with the idea of leaving for vacation right after trick or treating was over.  I was not a fan at all, but he would not be swayed.  So off we headed in the dark of night which gave me the opportunity to get these great shots of the morning sun rising over the mountains.

Our route to Jonesborough took us within 1.5 miles of the Harrisburg Covered Bridge.  This is only the second covered bridge that I can remember us seeing.  The other one was in Winston-Salem, NC on another vacation.  And it was so early in the morning we had the Harrisburg bridge to ourselves.  It was built in 1875.

It was a beautiful ride to Jonesborough.  We waited to go later in the season, so we thought there probably wouldn’t be any fall leaves left but we were so wrong.  Because of the warm weather, the leaves almost looked to be at their peak at the lower elevations and they were gorgeous.  I’ve never seen them that beautiful in TN.  All the beautiful scenery was the perfect time for me to practice using my new camera.

Jonesborough, Tennessee’s Oldest Town

There are several options for places to stay in Jonesborough.  If you want to stay right in the historic district, there’s a Bed & Breakfast as well as an Inn.  (photos below)  I know the inn was built in the late 1700s and the B&B probably was as well.  I actually wanted to stay at the inn, but we had a bad experience in another town with something similar, so I chose a more modern establishment.  We stayed at Country Inn and Suites.  It’s not in the historic district, but it is very close but up a steep hill.  It also has a back entrance which makes it easily accessible to the historic district and just to get in and out of.  The hotel is reasonably priced and clean.  You won’t find a better staff anywhere!  Super nice!  It’s not the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in, but I think they’re doing some remodeling.  Also, the breakfast …. we only went once and I did not care for what I got.   But they did offer “make your own” waffles,  I just don’t bother with those.

What we saw from our balcony and parking lot.

 

Inside the Visitor’s Center there’s a free museum.  Of course, Chris being the history buff that he is, we had to go in.  One of the first things I noticed was this water bucket.  It’s so very similar to the one I purchased from my Vintage Deal of the Day site, but so much older.  I’m sure it’s from the late 1700s or 1800s.  Mine is from the 1920s.

Jonesborough, TN is a charming little town.  So much history and so many things to see on just one street.  And there are more!

Christopher Taylor House

The log cabin below was built in 1777 by Christopher Taylor, a veteran of the French and Indian War and a major in the American Revolutionary War.  Andrew Jackson also lived in the house while he practiced law in Jonesborough from 1788-89.

Jonesborough Presbyterian Church

Eureka Inn built late 1700s

Blairmoore House Bed & Breakfast

1832

 

Jonesborough (Washington County) Court House

The Lollipop Shop was one of the first shops I spotted.  I knew I’d have to make a stop there since I had 2 grands at home that adore candy!  And I was not disappointed.

Someone at one of the antique shops suggested that we ride out to Washington College Academy for some good photo opportunities.  She told me that she use to attend the school and the dorm she lived in at one time had been used as a Civil War hospital.  The lower level was the stable for the horses and upper level where her room was had been the actual hospital.  And the word hospital might be too organized.  It was where they cared for the wounded, because if I remember correctly the building had been commandeered.  But I don’t remember what it was before that.  The school is now deserted and too spooky for me to poke around.  (I’m not your flagrant trespasser 🙂 )  But I did take the photo of this big tree from the road as well as venture into the cemetery.  Again, I didn’t stay long in the cemetery.  Some of the headstones date back to the 1700s, but most were so old they were unreadable.

That is our visit to Jonesborough, TN.  The next post will be the beginning of the journey to Pigeon Forge, where we made a couple of stops along the way.  So stay tuned to see where we wind up next!

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