Jonesborough Was Founded in 1779, 17 Years Before Tennessee Became a State. 6 Places to See in Its Historic District

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Jonesborough Tennessee holds the title of the state’s oldest town. The General Assembly of North Carolina established it in 1779 as the county seat of Washington County, 17 years before Tennessee became a state on June 1, 1796. It was named for North Carolina legislator Willie Jones, who supported westward expansion over the Appalachian Mountains, according to the Town of Jonesborough.

That age shows. The historic district along Main Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, and its brick sidewalks and old storefronts still feel like a frontier county seat. In 1784, the town even served as the first capital of the short-lived State of Franklin, an attempt by settlers to form a new state. Here are six places to see when you visit.

6 Places to See in Jonesborough Tennessee’s Historic District

Jonesborough is small, and every stop on this list sits within a short walk of Main Street. The National Storytelling Festival fills town in early October, so November is calmer, and the district decorates for the holidays later in the month.

1. Chester Inn State Historic Site

The Chester Inn is the oldest building original to Jonesborough’s commercial district. Dr. William P. Chester, a physician from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, built it in 1797 to serve travelers on the stage road. The State of Tennessee owns it, and the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia operates it as a museum.

Three presidents stayed here: Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson. The town’s history page repeats a local story that Jackson once helped fight a nearby fire while wearing only his nightshirt. The elaborate front porch was added in the 1880s. Today, the museum inside covers the town’s story from 1779 to the present. Check hours before you go, since the site keeps a limited weekly schedule.

2. Christopher Taylor House

Right next to the Chester Inn stands a two-story log house built by Christopher Taylor, a Revolutionary War officer, around 1777. It originally stood about a mile outside town and was moved into the historic district in 1974 to protect it. It is generally described as the oldest building in Jonesborough.

A young Andrew Jackson boarded with the Taylor family in 1788 while he practiced law in town. The house had only two rooms, which held the Taylors, their 10 children, and boarders. Standing inside gives you a sense of how crowded frontier life was. Local lore says the house is haunted by Jackson’s ghost, which makes it a favorite stop on evening history tours.

3. International Storytelling Center

Jonesborough calls itself the Storytelling Capital of the World because of the National Storytelling Festival, which started here in 1973. The International Storytelling Center on Main Street supports that tradition year-round.

From spring through fall, the center hosts storytellers in residence, with afternoon performances most weekdays. Check the schedule for late fall dates, since programs shift by season. Even when no show is running, the building and its garden are worth a look, and the staff can tell you about upcoming events. Hearing a professional storyteller in the town that launched the modern storytelling revival is a memorable experience.

4. The Washington County Courthouse and Main Street

The Washington County Courthouse anchors the east end of Main Street. Washington County was the first county west of the mountains, and Jonesborough has been its seat since the town’s founding. The current courthouse is a later building, but it sits on the same civic heart the town has had for more than two centuries.

Main Street itself is the main attraction. Walk its full length to see buildings from the late 1700s through the early 1900s, including Federal-style brick homes, old churches, and storefronts with shops and restaurants. Historical markers explain who lived and worked in many of them. The street is especially pleasant at dusk in late November and December, when holiday lights go up.

5. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre

The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre stages plays and musicals in a small theater on Main Street. It is a community theater with a full season, and many shows draw audiences from across the Tri-Cities area of Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol.

A show is a good way to spend an evening in town. Late fall and early December productions often lean toward holiday themes. Seats are close to the stage, and tickets are typically priced well below big-city theater. Book ahead for weekend performances, since the house is small.

6. Historic Eureka Inn

The Historic Eureka Inn is a boutique hotel in a restored building in the heart of the district. Staying here puts you within steps of every other stop on this list, which makes it easy to walk to dinner and an evening show.

Even if you stay elsewhere, the inn shows how Jonesborough has reused its old buildings. Restored rooms keep historic details while adding modern comforts. Book early for holiday weekends and for the October storytelling festival, when rooms in town sell out months ahead.

A Short Timeline of Jonesborough Tennessee

A few key dates help put the historic district in context:

• 1777: Christopher Taylor builds his log house outside the future town.
• 1779: North Carolina establishes Jonesborough as the seat of Washington County.
• 1784: The State of Franklin is organized with Jonesborough as its first capital.
• 1788: Andrew Jackson boards with the Taylor family while practicing law.
• 1796: Tennessee becomes the 16th state.
• 1797: Dr. William Chester builds the Chester Inn.
• 1969: The historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1973: The first National Storytelling Festival is held.

That timeline explains why the town feels so layered. It was a North Carolina county seat, the capital of a would-be state, and an early Tennessee town before it became a center for storytelling.

The State of Franklin, Briefly

In the 1780s, settlers in what is now East Tennessee grew frustrated with North Carolina’s distant government. In 1784, they organized the State of Franklin, named for Benjamin Franklin, with Jonesborough as its first capital. John Sevier became its governor.

Congress never admitted Franklin as a state, and it collapsed by the end of the decade. Still, it is a big part of local pride, and the Chester Inn museum explains the story. Sevier later became the first governor of Tennessee.

Walking Tours and Seasonal Events

The Heritage Alliance offers guided walking tours of the historic district, including evening ghost tours that lean into local legends. These are a good way to hear stories you would miss on your own. Schedules vary by season, so check ahead for late fall dates.

Holiday events in Jonesborough typically include a Christmas parade, shop open houses, and lighted decorations along Main Street. Exact dates change each year, so look at the town’s event calendar before you plan your visit.

Planning a Visit

Jonesborough sits about 10 minutes from Johnson City and about two hours from Knoxville. Asheville is roughly an hour and a half away. Most visitors drive, and parking is easy in public lots near Main Street.

A simple plan for one day:

• Morning: Chester Inn museum and the Christopher Taylor House.
• Lunch: a cafe or restaurant on Main Street.
• Afternoon: a storytelling performance or a walking tour.
• Evening: dinner and a show at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.

If you have a second day, nearby options include Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park in Limestone and the mountain scenery around Roan Mountain.

Where to Eat and Shop on Main Street

Main Street has a mix of cafes, restaurants, and shops in historic buildings. You will find coffee shops, casual lunch spots, and sit-down restaurants within a few blocks. Many shops sell antiques, local crafts, books, and gifts, which makes the district a good place for early holiday shopping.

Hours in small towns can be limited, especially on Sundays and Mondays. If you have a specific restaurant in mind, check its schedule before you go. Saturday is usually the busiest and most lively day downtown.

Getting Around in Late Fall and Winter

Jonesborough is easy to explore on foot. The historic district is compact, with sidewalks along Main Street and side streets. Parking is available in public lots near the visitor center and along Main Street.

Late fall weather in Northeast Tennessee is usually mild during the day and cool at night. Occasional winter storms can bring snow or ice, especially in the surrounding mountains. Check the forecast if you plan to drive through higher terrain to reach town.

Why Jonesborough Feels Different

Many historic towns have one or two old buildings surrounded by modern sprawl. Jonesborough kept its core. The Main Street district holds buildings spanning more than two centuries, and the town has worked for decades to protect them.

That preservation is why the place still feels like the frontier county seat it once was. You can walk from a 1777 log house to a 1797 inn to a modern storytelling center in a few minutes, and the whole route tells the story of how Tennessee began.