The oldest town in the Volunteer State is a little place called Jonesborough. This Tennessee town is filled with historic buildings, but one stands out above all the rest. It's one of the oldest buildings in Tennessee, and you can see it standing to this day. Not only does this building have a long history, but there have been some very interesting stories surrounding it and I have walked inside this cabin myself. It is a fascinating piece of our state history, so let's dive into what makes the Christopher Taylor House in Jonesborough, Tennessee, so interesting.
While walking the pleasant streets of Jonesborough, Tennessee, you will come across an old cabin in the middle of town.
It seems a bit odd, doesn't it? Even in a town filled with historic buildings -- none of them are quite like the Christopher Taylor House. This is the fourth-oldest building in the state and was erected in 1777 by an American Revolutionary War veteran.
Like many homes in this area, this dwelling harkens back to a simpler time when a family would provide just about everything they needed with their own two hands. This was not the original site of the home, though -- it was moved from about two miles away so it could be protected from demolition; today, it's a commanding relic in a town rich in history.
The Taylor family lived in this home, but for a short time, they had a reputable guest join them as he trained to be a lawyer. Andrew Jackson was the man and before he became president he studied by candlelight in this very dwelling.
Most older places have a few stories attached to them and the Christopher Taylor House is no different.
Whispers and murmurs around town have claimed that this place is haunted. Although the doors are locked and you are only allowed to go inside during special events, people have claimed to see a ghostly figure emerge out of the closed door and then vanish into thin air. Others have said they've seen the ghost of Andrew Jackson himself floating around the property.
Still others have said to have seen the Taylor family still wandering around the house going about life as if time had never passed.
You can hang around the place yourself and see what you may find, but remember the doors are closed and this historic home is only open for special events.
For one special occasion, they opened up the home and I had the lucky privilege to walk inside.
The large fireplace immediately caught my attention and they furnished the house with various items you would typically find inside around the late 1700s. The home was relatively plain, but I was walking in the footsteps of a family that lived a couple of centuries ago and it had a certain surreal feeling to it.
This historic building in Jonesborough, Tennessee, is a fascinating find right in the heart of downtown. Whether you believe in the ghost stories or not I highly recommend you take a visit to see this fascinating cabin. You will have to keep an eye out for special events and tours where they open back up the building so you can walk through and experience it as well. For more information about the history of this town please visit the Heritage Alliance website.
While you're there, be sure to explore some of the many historic sites in Jonesborough, Tennessee -- this town is a treasure trove for history buffs!
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