Few People Realize How Much Railroad History Is Preserved In Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum offers a detailed and interactive exploration of the region's railroad history, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages.
Johnson City has always had a large railroad presence within and around the city limits. Did you know that the city was named after the depot in town which got its name from Henry Johnson -- who then went on to become the first mayor? There are attractions throughout the town that represent its history with the old Iron Horse; places like The White Duck and Burg'r and Barrel have taken up residence in some historic train depots, while other places like Willow Springs Park have paid homage to our past by making a train-themed playground within the park. The city certainly has not forgotten its roots, and one of the best places to learn about this history is in a little railroad museum in Johnson City.
The George L. Carter Railroad Museum is hiding in plain sight within the walls of ETSU.
Among the sprawling campus there is a little building that looks very much like any normal college building but inside is a treasure trove of railroad history. Guests will be greeted with a railroad crossing sign which might seem a little out of place at first but it is the indication that you are in the right place.
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Inside you will find the Marsh-Tweetsie Exhibit which is a grand 1,300-square-foot display of the Tweetsie railroad system.
This scale model intricately details the historic train that would travel through our rugged eastern Tennessee mountains into North Carolina. The model was made from existing tracks you can still find to this day in places like the Doe River Gorge, and historical documents including pictures of the trail.
You can watch the train chug down the tracks throughout the display.
The train will traverse trusses, bridges, cross rivers, tunnel through mountains, and travel across rolling hills. It’s easy to get lost in the scenery and imagine what it would be like to ride this train through such a diverse landscape.
There are buildings along the tracks and depots, too, and each one of them has been carefully crafted to best depict the actual business of that day.
Old country stores, gas stations, and churches are all placed right where they originally were along the Tweetsie. The history of these tracks really comes alive when you follow along this model train. The conductors are volunteers that are happy to explain the history and ask any questions you have which also helps bring the whole thing to life.
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Another room is filled with artifacts in a couple of display cases along the walls and the floor is taken up by massive model train displays.
These displays come in all kinds of shapes and sizes from other historical railroads to more modern cityscapes. Some of them even feature fun little "Easter eggs" like hidden dinosaur figures. The whole experience is great fun for kids and adults alike.
To further the fun for kiddos the last exhibit (or the first, depending on how you want to do it) is the little engineer's room.
This playroom is also filled with everything to do with trains. There are train toys to play with, a large train play house, and even a model train suspended from the ceiling circling the room on its track. This is an exciting place to take the little ones when you are done learning about the railroad history of east Tennessee.
This railroad museum in Johnson City, is certainly a unique attraction that is fun for the whole family. You are sure to walk away having learned something new and have a deeper appreciation for the railroad history we have in our state. Admission to the museum is free but they do accept donations. For more information about the museum please visit the ETSU’s website.
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Clay Trainum has been collecting physical mementos of Nashville’s soccer history for years. (Clay Trainum / Nashville Soccer Archive)
Did you know Nashville has a rich soccer history? When Pharmaceutical Soccer co-host Clay Trainum moved here in 2017, he couldn’t find much local history about the sport. He decided to collect physical mementos of Nashville’s soccer history and compile them into the Nashville Soccer Archive, which he has since donated to Vanderbilt University. With Nashville SC missing the playoffs for the first time in their Major League Soccer history, perhaps some hindsight is in order.
The Teams That Came Before
“There's a lot of pre-history to the existence of the Nashville Soccer Club that we now know and love,” says Trainum, a former sports information director who now works at the MTSU library. He traces the club’s lineage from the United Soccer League years backwards to the Nashville Diamonds, a pro team that played only one season, in 1982: “I have access to full newspaper archives of both the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean,” he says. “So I spent a few late nights in our microfilm collection clipping every single story I could find. They were doomed to failure from the start, but their mere existence felt significant. I mean, this was a professional soccer team playing in Nashville, 16 years before the Titans and Predators came to town.”
Why Newspapers Matter
The biggest thing Trainum says he’s learned through his research is the importance of newspapers. “The absolute best thing about digging on the Diamonds and other older teams is that the local newspaper covered every living, breathing sports moment in Nashville,” he explains. “As papers shrunk and stuff moved online, information just disappeared into the ether. I'm afraid that I'm destined to never learn of certain results for games that were played fewer than 15 years ago, but I had no problem finding results from 40 years ago.”
Newspapers are integral to tracking history. (Clay Trainum / Nashville Soccer Archive)
Building the Archive
Trainum is telling as much of our city’s soccer story as possible at NashvilleSoccerArchive.com, which he calls a “passion project.” He also maintains a physical archive — including the program from the Diamonds’ first-ever professional match — which he recently transferred to the Special Collections and University Archives at the Jean and Alexander Heard Library at Vanderbilt University. The centerpiece of the collection is a very special game ball. “Back in 2018, I decided to travel to NSC's third-ever match, in Bethlehem, PA,” Trainum says. “I saw it as an opportunity to geek out and potentially see their first professional goal. About five minutes in, a very controversial penalty was awarded, and Michael Cox scored from the spot. Some of the bench players ran down to the corner where I was standing to celebrate with me, and after the game, Liam Doyle gave me the game ball, signed by the whole team and the manager.”
Looking to the Future
As local soccer culture grows alongside our status as a world-class sports city, many fans are hoping Nashville will land a professional women’s soccer franchise in the near future. Trainum is working to ensure his archive is equitable, too. “Let me tell you, if you think information is scarce in the [men’s game], it's even harder to find info on the WPSL,” he admits. “We actually had a bit of a women's soccer moment in the city this year, as there were three pre-professional teams playing this past summer, something that had never happened before. I've been a loud supporter of bringing pro women's soccer to this city, and I want to make sure that when — not if! — that happens, historical information about the women's game in Nashville is accessible as well.”
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
