Tennessee was admitted as the 16th state in the Union, a decision that was thankfully finalized in June of 1796. But did you know the oldest spot in the state actually pre-dates statehood? We're coming up close to 250 years as a state (well...in 2046!) and it's still pretty amazing to experience Jonesborough, Tennessee. Small, cute and full of heart, this is one day trip you don't want to miss.
Jonesborough, Tennessee was founded in 1779, predating the state by almost twenty years. It's a title the town wears well, one that is celebrated across the city multiple times throughout the year.
The downtown area still serves as a sweet nod to the years past, with historic buildings interspersed with more contemporary structures as you move out of the city center.
We can thank the 1970's for the way the city looks today - there was a huge push for local restoration and preservation that led to the town being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Always a trailblazer, it was the first town in Tennessee to make the cut.
If you visit, you may want to stop by the Chester Inn (not pictured). It is the oldest building in Jonesborough's commercial district, and hosted former presidents Andrew Johnson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Jackson.
The city is historically known as, "Jonesboro," and serves as the county seat of Washington County. In 2010, there were almost 6,000 residents that called the town their home.
Great for a quiet afternoon or a history walk, fun for kids and adults alike, Jonesborough's heart truly beats for Tennessee. It's a sweet thing, to surround yourself with people who truly love where they're from and what they stand for. The atmosphere is encouraging and downright beautiful.
Looking back on the history of Tennessee people think of what might think of what Tennessee is famous for, one of the first things that might come to mind is the thriving music scene. Spanning across several genres and boasting some pretty impressive individuals, we certainly have a big musical history and culture. That's not the only feather in our state's cap, however. There is another feather that is small, fluffy, and edible that has its roots in the Volunteer State. The first cotton candy machine was made right here in Tennessee, and the inventor was none other than a dentist. It’s funny how life works sometimes.
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William Morrison was a dentist by trade but he also was a brilliant mind who loved to tinker.
Not much is known about this man who lived from 1860 to 1926, but we know his one claim to fame. He invented the cotton candy machine and some speculate that he was trying to boost his business in dental work, while others think he was much more lighthearted and simply had a sweet tooth.
The mechanism is rather simple, but provides a wholly magical effect that has wowed and amazed people for decades. By placing sugar in the middle, the machine spins and heats up the crystals and pushes them back up through the hole in fine threads that stick together into one wonderful fluffy treat. Out of all the inventions from Tennessee this has got to be one of my favorites.
The invention so thrilled Mr. Morrison that he promptly took it to the 1904’s St. Louis World's Fair. There he showcased his new dessert to anyone who would give them attention and to say the least, it was an instant success.
Mr. Morrison called it Fairy Floss and to this day in Australia, they still use the original name. However, the product has changed slightly over the years and we now just call it cotton candy.
Today you can find it bagged or fresh on a stick at a fair and carnival. This has been a staple of such activities for years and years now, but not many people think about Tennessee, when they tear off a large piece of cotton candy.
If you are anything like us then you have fond childhood memories of watching a simple stick turn into a colorful and edible cloud. There isn’t a snack like this anywhere else, and when you really think about it, of course something this unique was born in Tennessee!
Sometimes cotton candy can be really hard to come by, many times you have to settle for a sealed bag and it just doesn’t hit the same. Luckily for us, not far from where the first cotton candy machine was invented, you can get works of fluffy cotton candy art. Puffy Cotton Candy has taken what Mr. Morrison started and crafted it into a wonderful masterpiece you must see. Make sure to head to Franklin, Tennessee, to see what all the hype is about! This history of Tennessee is rich but so is what we are known for so make sure you check out this OnlyInYourState video:
Did you know that the Volunteer State has an official state artifact of Tennessee? You might have known that our state bird is the mockingbird, or that our state mammal is the raccoon (We have all kinds of Tennessee fun facts for you!), but chances are you didn't know about the most historic find in Tennessee. Allow me to introduce you: his name is Sandy and the story about the people who created him is nothing short of fascinating. Some of the places that once housed a thriving culture now contain mere echoes of the past, but you can take a journey to many of the places to dig deeper into this fascinating part of Tennessee's history.
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Sandy is a beautifully created statue of a kneeling man and is believed to be the oldest piece of Native American art here in Tennessee. This has become one of the most significant discoveries made in Tennessee.
The figure stands 18.5 inches tall and is believed to have been carved anywhere from AD 1250 to 1350. This was during what is called the Mississippian period. In 2014, this statue was recognized and given the honorary title of Tennessee’s State Artifact.
Back in 1939, a tenant farmer was working on the Sellars Farm when he unearthed a significant discovery: Sandy, who'd been hidden away, buried, and forgotten for some 500 years.
This little farm became a treasure trove of artifacts and was shortly discovered to actually be the place of a Mississippian-era town. Further evidence revealed remnants of a thriving civilization that had long been forgotten. Now this area has been designated as a state archaeological site and work is being done to learn about this fascinating culture: what daily life was like, what kind of society did they have, and what did they believe? The picture above depicts an artist's interpretation of how the town would have looked during its peak of operation.
Although the site itself requires a state park or TDOA escort to visit, you can embark on an unchaperoned loop hike in the area.
You might not discover ancient artifacts along the way but you can enjoy a quiet forest, the peaceful Spring Creek, and beautiful fields. There is something rather intriguing about walking the same land and in the same footsteps as these great people. There is still so much to discover and so much to learn -- the possibilities fascinate me.
The farm is run by the Long Hunter State Park, and although the state park is about 30 minutes away it is well worth visiting.
After you finish walking the loop trail at Sellars Farm, make sure you make good use of the trails within Long Hunter State Park. This is also a great place for water recreation and they have gorgeous sunrises.
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They have discovered a mound within the Sellars Farm and this was a common practice among the Mississippian age.
Some of them were used for burial purposes but we are still learning about these practices. If you want to learn more about these mounds found around our state a great place to visit is the biggest one in Tennessee. Pison Mounds is another archaeological site and the interesting thing about these mounds all centers around what kind of materials went into making them. Pieces of shells only found in the Gulf of Mexico, and minerals found as far as the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes region in Canada suggest that people brought many materials from far distances to create these massive mounds. The story is still being written and if only Sandy himself could speak of the mysteries found only in the past, but alas we still search for answers.
Of course, if you would like to see Sandy in person, head east to the University of Tennessee. Located in the McClung Museum is a Native American exhibit where you can find the official Tennessee State Artifact. Not only can you witness this masterpiece in person, but you can also see other tools, pottery, and more from the earliest inhabitants of our state.
Sandy is Tennessee’s State Artifact but he only represents a greater story to be told. One that spans not just our land here in Tennessee, but connects the rest of the United States in ways we have only begun to understand. The history is intriguing and while we watch it unveil we have the privilege to be able to visit some of these ancient places ourselves. So fancy yourself a historian? Take a road trip to all these places all across our state to round out this captivating story but don’t forget to pack the essentials before you go.
Interested in digging deeper into history? Check out the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge for a trip to this tragic event.
