A History of Johnson City
In the 1850s, a man named Henry Johnson saw promise for the then-proposed path of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railway, so he opened a store. Henry then set up a water tank for the trains and helped build the area's first railroad depot. He offered lodging for travelers and opened a post office. In 1869 Tennessee incorporated Johnson's Depot as Johnson City. When the town's men cast their votes for the city's first mayor, Henry Johnson was a shoe-in. And, thus, Johnson City was officially established.
History
Johnson City residents number about 60,000, and its dubious history as a bootlegging and gambling town has become the stuff of legend. Dubbed "Little Chicago" for one of its most notorious visitors Al Capone, Johnson City was part of the Appalachian area's infamous reputation for running bootleg whiskey as depicted in the 1958 film starring Robert Mitchum, "Thunder Road." The traditional story is that the treacherous, high-speed driving, illegally moving moonshine from stills to customers through the Tri-state Appalachian area, gave rise to the NASCAR sport loved by so many today.
Music
It's impossible to talk about Johnson City's storied history without acknowledging its impressive old-time musical heritage. Blind Lemon Jefferson, Jimmie Rodgers, and "Fiddlin" Charlie Bowman each have their place in Johnson City music history. With his high-pitched voice and unique guitar style, blues singer and guitarist Blind Lemon Jefferson influenced such notable musicians as Son House, B.B. King, and the legendary Robert Johnson. Jimmie Rodgers, known as the Father of Country Music, was a struggling singer in 1927 (the year Charles Lindbergh gained fame as the first individual to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean). He would visit Johnson City twice in his quest for success. His first booking was a successful performance for a Rotary Club convention. The second was a group effort in June 1927 when Rodgers teamed up with other musicians attracted to Johnson City for its upcoming Tri-State Fair. Rodgers made a stop-over in Bristol and received $100 (a breathtaking sum for an unknown musician in 1927) for a two-hour performance and 20 minutes of recording work, now famously known as "Bristol Sessions." But at least we know that Jimmie Rodgers, even though his life was brief, seems to be resting quietly, unlike some other residents in Johnson City.
Legends
According to local legend, almost every building on the campus of East Tennessee State University has at least one resident ghost. Among them are Yoakley Hall, where a student lost their life, Sherrod Library, where some say a former librarian still guards the reference materials, and Mathes Music Hall, where unidentified and unexplained paranormal cold spots, footsteps and disembodied voices have been reported. Other reports of a mischievous ghost who enjoys rearranging objects and snapping its fingers have come from the Sigma Chi Fraternity House.
Today
If bootlegging history, country music, and unexplained phenomena aren't on your list of interests, there are many other places to spend an pleasant afternoon, take a class or two, take in a film, let loose at a nightclub, or enjoy a delicious meal. The links below are just some of the points of interest to be discovered in Johnson City.
Johnson City Area Attractions
• Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site
• East Tennessee State University
• Carmike Cinemas
• New Beginnings Nightclub, Restaurant, and Showbar
• Moto Japanese Restaurant
• The Cottage Restaurant
• Greg's Pizza
• Hands On! Regional Museum
• Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
• Bright's Zoo
• Historic Eureka Inn
• Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens
• Rocky Mount Museum
• Cafe Lola's
• Johnson City Symphony
• Kayaking down the Nolichucky River
• Bristol Caverns
• Jonesborough Repertory Theatre