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2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY

WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE2021 FACT BOOK

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Table of

Downtown Johnson City

Historic Jonesborough

East Tennessee State University

Neighboring Colleges

Johnson City Schools

Washington County Schools

Washington County Festivals

Ballad Health

VA Medical Center

Historic Sites

Transportation

Outdoor Recreation

Stats & Facts – Local Statistics

Bristol Motor Speedway

Sports Facilities

Published by Johnson City Press /Six Rivers Media, LLC

Rick Thomason, Publisher

204 W Main St, Johnson City, TN 37604423-929-3111

www.johnsoncitypress.com

CONTENTS040708091112141619202224262830

2021

WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

BOOKFACT


Downtown Johnson City has come a long way in recent years.

The city’s flooding mitigation projects have made downtown more friendly to both visitors and businesses. Two heavily used parks, Founders and King Commons, were created in the process, contributing to Johnson City’s way of life. Founders also includes a pavilion that houses the Johnson City Farmers Market and serves as a

venue for other gatherings.Both of downtown’s historic

train depots have been renovated for business purposes. The old ET&WNC Depot houses both White Duck Taco Company and Yee-Haw Brewing Company. The latter distributes its craft beers in several states and has grown with new locations around the state. The former CC&O Depot includes both retail and restaurant space.

New businesses continue to pop up in the city’s downtown area. In recent years, developers have also taken an interest in revitalizing several of the area’s vacant buildings.

Buildings on North Commerce Street have been repurposed for top floor apartments, and are being refurbished downstairs for commercial tenants. Developers also recently finished work on the Henry on Main, a multi-use project housed

Vibrant and new, yet still full of history.

DowntownJohnson City

Founders Park in Downtown Johnson City. Dee Browning / Shutterstock.com

Both of downtown’s

historic train depots have been renovated into White Duck Taco Company and Yee-

Haw Brewing Company.


in several downtown buildings along Main Street. The project has resulted in two new businesses opening in the downtown area: Vibes Nails & Lotion Bar and Flashback Heat, a vintage clothing store.

Restaurateur Rafael Zabala and his business partner Martin Bagwell are planning on opening a new restaurant serving Latin American and Asian food, Juan Siao, at 104 Tipton Street. The establishment will open in a newly constructed building that crews are aiming to finish in March 2021.

The Johnson City Development Authority also officially purchased the John Sevier Center in late 2019. Over the long-term, the organization plans on relocating the subsidized housing complex’s roughly 150 residents

and selling the 10-story building to a developer.

In the interest of attracting and keeping people downtown, Johnson

City recently launched a free Wi-Fi service over the summer. This will allow visitors to access the internet on the 200 and 300 blocks of East Main Street, Founders Park, the

Pavilion at Founders Park and King Commons Park.

Johnson City has also made an effort to spruce up its public

spaces, approving a laxer policy on murals in the downtown historic district that has allowed new works of art to spring up on various walls in the downtown core.

The artist Daas recently finished work on a mural at 73 Buffalo Street depicting three children of different races planting flowers. The City Commission also approved a

contract with artist Bill Bledsoe in September to retouch a fading mural in Majestic Park called “Highway Runs Through It.” Bledsoe was the mural’s original artist.

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Historic Jonesborough is a quaint little tourist town nestled in Washington County — a town known for festivals, local shops and a charming small town feel.

Home to about 6,000 people, Jonesborough is Tennessee’s oldest town, having been founded in 1779 — nearly two decades before Tennessee became a state. It was also briefly the capital of the State of Franklin, which was an autonomous state that survived from 1784 to 1788 before being reclaimed by North Carolina. It is now Washington

County’s county seat.As the state’s oldest town, it’s also

one of the most historic. In 1969, a large portion of the town, dubbed the “Jonesboro Historic District” was placed on the National Register of Historic Places — including all of the town’s downtown Main Street. It was where the first abolitionist periodical, “The Emancipator,” was published.

Nowadays, the town’s Main Street is home to a number of shops and businesses, places where you can find anything from antiques to holiday gifts and a bite to eat.

Jonesborough is also home to the International Storytelling Center, which hosts the annual National Storytelling Festival. The National Storytelling Festival began in 1973. It attracts thousands of visitors each year and is the town’s largest festival. It is one the nation’s and the world’s premier storytelling festivals.

In addition to the Storytelling Festival and Jonesborough Days, Jonesborough is also supported by a number of smaller festivals scattered throughout the year.

Experience unique and charming

HistoricJonesborough

Main Street in Historic Downtown Jonesborough. Johnson City Press

Jonesboroughis Tennessee’s oldest town,

founded nearly two decades before

Tennessee became a state.


East Tennessee State University is a 350-acre campus in Johnson City founded in 1911 to improve the quality of life for people in the region. It has satellite campuses in Kingsport, Elizabethton and Sevierville.

The university was originally founded primarily as a teacher’s college. Today, ETSU is continually growing with new academic programs and expanding facilities. The university is currently divided into 10 colleges and schools and offers over 160 bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees for over 14,400 students.

Colleges and schools:• Clemmer College of Education• College of Arts and Sciences• College of Business and

Technology• College of Clinical and

Rehabilitative Health Sciences• College of Nursing• College of Public Health• Gatton College of Pharmacy• Honors College• Quillen College of Medicine• School of Continuing Studies

and Academic Outreach• School of Graduate Studies

In recent years, the university’s main campus has experienced a lot of growth in terms of capital projects. The university recently completed a new $53 million Martin Center for the Arts, the $45 million renovation of the D.P. Culp University Center.

In 2019, the university established a Center for Rural Health Research following the opening of a new Interprofessional Education and Research Center for health sciences students and faculty. ETSU leadership also hopes to secure state funding for a new state-of-the-art $71.8 million

More opportunities than ever before

East TennesseeState University

The new James C. and Mary B. Martin Center for the Arts. Contributed by ETSU Martin Center

ETSU health science

programs have been consistently

ranked among the top health schools in U.S.

News and World Report.


humanities facility in the coming years.The institution is noted as a health

sciences center in the region and recently consolidated all five health science colleges into ETSU Health to bolster research and clinical efforts in the region. Its health science programs in the Quillen College of Medicine and College of Nursing have been consistently ranked among the top health schools in U.S. News and World Report.

ETSU is ranked among the top 10 institutions with a Military Friendly School designation, with more than 760 military-affiliated students. It ranks 24th among Best Colleges for Students With Disabilities. Its digital media program was recently ranked first in the state.

ETSU recently boasted a record-breaking 78% retention rate between fall 2019 and fall 2020 and awarded nearly 3,800 degrees in the 2019-2020 academic year.

The institution has over 250 student organizations for students to get involved in. More than 7,600 students are currently involved in these groups. The university also established a new e-sports team in 2020 to compete with other colleges and universities in competitive video gaming.

The campus hopes to grow enrollment to 18,000 by 2024 as part of its strategic plan, which includes goals such as enrolling 3,500 out-of-state students, raising the graduation rate by 16 percent to 60 percent, attracting 12,000 freshmen with average ACT scores of 24 and housing 3,500 students on campus.

For more information, visit their website at www.etsu.edu.

Neighboring CollegesNortheast State

Northeast State Community College is a comprehensive two-year community college under the governance of the Tennessee Board of Regents of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee.

The college provides:• University parallel programs

designed for students desiring to transfer to another college or university.

• Career programs for students planning to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.

• Continuing education and community service programs for professional growth and personal enrichment.

Along with the primary campus Blountville, Northeast State has sites in Elizabethton, Gray, Kingsport and Johnson City.

The Johnson City campus is located in the heart of downtown, at Buffalo and West Market streets, and provides access to students from Washington, Carter, and Unicoi Counties. Course offerings include English, Spanish, economics, mathematics, communications, humanities, sciences accounting, psychology and more.

Northeast State currently enrolls approximately 5,500 students and has 150 programs of study.

The academic divisions are:• Behavioral and Social

Sciences

• Health Professions• Humanities• Mathematics• Science• Technologies

For more information, visit www.northeaststate.edu.

King UniversityKing University was founded

as King College in 1867 but later grew into the doctoral-level university it is today. In addition to its 135-acre campus in Bristol, Tennessee, the Presbyterian university offers classes at Kingsport’s Academic Village, its Knoxville campus and at 10 instructional sites. Classes are also held online.

King’s College and school structure are:• College of Arts and Sciences• Peake School of Christian

Mission• Digital Media and Art Design• Psychology• School of Health and

Professional Sciences• School of Business,

Economics and Technology• Information Technology• School of Nursing• School of Education

King University is located at 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620

For more information, visit www.king.edu.

Milligan UniversityFor over 150 years, Milligan

University has educated men and women to lead and to serve through a Christ-centered liberal arts education.


On a beautiful 235-acre campus, Milligan offers more than 100 majors and minors, along with graduate and adult degree completion programs. With an enrollment of over 1,300 students, a Milligan education emphasizes scholarship, community, and faith.

Milligan’s academic schools include:• School of Arts & Humanities• School of Bible & Ministry• William B. Greene, Jr. School

of Business & Technology• School of Sciences & Allied

Health• School of Social Sciences &

Education

For more information, visit www.milligan.edu.

Tusculum UniversityBuilding on a rich Presbyterian

heritage and a pioneering spirit, Tusculum University provides an “experiential education within a caring Christian environment to inspire civic engagement, enrich personal lives and equip career-ready professionals.”

Tusculum is the first higher education institution in Tennessee and the 28th oldest in the nation. Students are enrolled on the main campus in Greeneville, at centers in Knoxville and Morristown and in online programs.

Tusculum offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Its College of Business has been nationally ranked multiple times in recent years by websites, and the College of Education was

named 14th in the nation by study.com in a listing of the Best Online Education & Teaching Degree Programs.

The wooded 140-acre Greeneville campus has nine buildings and the Tusculum Arch that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The university’s structure is as follows:• College of Business• College of Civic and Liberal

Arts• College of Education• College of Nursing and

College of Science, Technology and Math.

For more information, visit www.tusculum.edu.


Johnson City Schools serves more than 8,000 students in grades pre-k through 12 and employs about 1,000 teachers and staff.

The district, made up of 11 schools, has consistently ranked among the top systems in the state in U.S. News and World Report and educates a diverse student body in which more than 60 languages are spoken.

Johnson City Schools recently reconfigured its grade system and is set to return fifth-graders to elementary schools and create two new middle schools out of Liberty Bell and Indian Trail in 2022. As part of this transition, the district set out to complete a number of capital projects,

including the new Liberty Bell gym and cafeteria, which was completed in October 2020. The district is also working on renovation plans for Woodland, South Side and Lake Ridge Elementary schools.

The 2020-21 school year begins in August. Students can enroll based on their place of residence. Parents will need to provide the child’s birth certificate, social security card and proof of immunization. For more information on the district or enrollment, visit www.jcschools.org or call the Johnson City Schools Central Office at 423-434-5200. The office is located at 100 E. Maple Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.

Johnson City SchoolsCherokee Elementary School2100 Cherokee RoadPhone: 423-434-5281Grades pre-K through 4

Fairmont Elementary School1405 Lester Harris RoadPhone: 423-434-5275Grades pre-K through 4

Lake Ridge Elementary School1001 Lake Ridge SquarePhone: 423-610-6030Grades K through 4

Mountain View Elementary School907 King Springs RoadPhone: 423-434-5260Grades pre K through 4

North Side Elementary School1000 North Roan StreetPhone: 423-434-5249Grades pre-K through 4

South Side Elementary School1011 Southwest AvenuePhone: 423-434-5290Grades pre- K through 4

Towne Acres Elementary School2310 Larkspur DrivePhone: 423-854-4800Grades K through 4

Woodland Elementary School2303 Indian Ridge RoadPhone: 423-434-5267Grades Pre-K through 4

Indian Trail Intermediate School307 Car-Mol Dr.Phone: 423-610-6000Grades 5-6

Liberty Bell Middle School718 Morningside Dr.Phone: 423-232-2192Grades 7-8

Science Hill High School1509 John Exum Pkwy.Phone: 423-232-2192Grades 9-12

Expect the best from JCS

Johnson CitySchools

Science Hill High School Class of 2019. Johnson City Press

Ranked among the top systems in the state


Washington County Schools

The county school system’s central office is located at 405 W College St., Jonesborough.

Dr. William R. Flanary serves as the director of schools.

The system is comprised of 16 schools that serve pre-K through 12th grades. It enrolls more than 9,055 students, and employs a staff of 580 teachers.

Asbury Optional High SchoolGrades 9-122002 Indian Ridge RoadJohnson City, TN 37604(423) 434-4900(423) 434-4900 faxHours: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.Principal: Jamie Graywww.wcde.org/aohs

Boones Creek Elementary SchoolGrades K-8132 Highland Church RoadJohnson City, TN 37615(423) 850-8580Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Principal: Jordan Hugheswww.wcde.org/bces

Daniel Boone High SchoolGrades 9-121440 Suncrest DriveGray, TN 37615(423) 477-1600(423) 477-1625 faxHours: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.Principal: Tim Campbellwww.wcde.org/dbhs

David Crockett High SchoolGrades 9-12684 Old State Rt 34Jonesborough, TN 37659(423) 753-1150(423) 753-1167 faxHours: 7:45a.m. - 2:45 p.m.Principal: Peggy Wrightwww.wcde.org/dchs

Fall Branch Elementary SchoolGrades K-81061 Highway 93Fall Branch, TN 37656(423) 348-1200(423) 348-1207 faxHours: 8:10 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.Principal: Dr. James Wernkewww.wcde.org/fbs

Grandview Elementary SchoolGrades pre-K-82891 Highway 11ETelford, TN 37690(423) 257-7400(423) 257-7401 faxHours: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.Principal: Tara Churchwellwww.wcde.org/gves

Gray Elementary SchoolGrades pre-K-8755 Gray Station RoadGray, TN 37615(423) 477-1640(423) 477-1644 faxHours: 8:35 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.Principal: Shannon Graywww.wcde.org/ges

Jonesborough Elementary SchoolGrades K-4306 Forest DriveJonesborough, TN 37659(423) 753-1180(423) 753-1181 faxHours: 7:50 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.Principal: Matt Combswww.wcde.org/jes

Jonesborough Middle SchoolGrades 5-8308 Forest DriveJonesborough, TN 37659(423) 753-1190(423) 753-1570 faxHours: 7:50 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.Principal: Brandon McKeewww.wcde.org/jms

Lamar Elementary SchoolGrades Pre-K-83261 Highway 81 SouthJonesborough, TN 37659(423) 753-1130(423) 753-1134 faxHours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Principal: Mark Merrimanwww.wcde.org/les

Ridgeview Elementary SchoolGrades K-8252 Sam Jenkins RoadGray, TN 37615(423) 788-7340(423) 788-7348 faxHours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Principal: Leslie Lyonswww.wcde.org/rves

South Central Elementary SchoolGrades K-82955 Highway 107Chuckey, TN 37641(423) 753-1135(423) 753-1135 faxHours: 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.Principal: J.W. McKinneywww.wcde.org/sces

Sulphur Springs Elementary SchoolGrades K-81518 Gray/Sulphur Springs RoadJonesborough, TN 37659(423) 753-1140(423) 753-1146 faxHours: 7:35 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.Principal: Cody Pattersonwww.wcde.org/sses

West View Elementary SchoolGrades K-82847 Old State Route 34, Limestone, TN 37681(423) 753-1175(423) 753-1583 faxHours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.Principal: Robin Streetwww.wcde.org/wves

New Jonesborough K-8Washington County

commissioners have signed a contract with the town of Jonesborough to spend no more than $32.75 million for the town to build a K-8 county school and sports complex on a site off North Cherokee Street near the George P. Jaynes Justice Center in Jonesborough.

The facility will replace the two current Jonesborough schools when the project is completed sometime in 2023.


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Washington County’s annual festival lineup includes a wide and diverse variety of community celebrations that play on the region’s rich heritage of music, storytelling and functional arts. The locals revel in the evolution of their culture, and in their festivals they share it best with their guests.

Blue Plum FestivalJohnson City’s Blue Plum Festival

is an outdoor arts and music festival with a little something for everyone. Centered around performance stages at Founders Park and The Pavilion, the June festival takes on a lawn party atmosphere by day with carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, children’s

activities and plenty of food and beverages. Guests are advised to bring their lawn chairs and blankets but don’t expect to remain seated, as dancing in the streets breaks out after sunset and continues into the night. On the web: www.blueplum.org.

Little Chicago FestivalDowntown merchants take the

outdoor celebration of music and arts into the heart of the old city in early August with the Little Chicago Festival. A tip of the fedora to the city’s prohibition era heyday when the junctions of three major rail lines and several upscale hotels put the city on the map as a vibrant transportation

hub that legend says was a regular stop for the notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone. In addition to live music, street vendors and fun family activities, the festival showcases the late 19th early 20th century architecture and the shops, restaurants and bars that occupy many of its refurbished jewels. On the web: www.littlechicagofestival.com.

Meet the MountainsThe vast opportunity for outdoor

recreation in the Southern Appalachian Highlands is at its peak during the third week of August when the Meet the Mountains Festival rolls into Johnson City with an education showcase of all

World class music, arts and adventure

Washington County Festivals

A young festival goer learns to Kayak at the Meet the Mountains Festival at Founders Park. Johnson City Press

Eventsdrawing

upwards of 10,000 fans and guests


the fun to be had in the surrounding mountains, rivers and streams. The festival highlights the region’s natural assets and conduciveness to a healthy, active lifestyle by allowing guests a chance to experience rock climbing, a ropes course, paddling, cycling, disc golf and more. While centered on the great lawn at Founders Park, many of the festival’s activities take place off site at adventurous locations including Johnson City’s Tannery Knobs Bike Park and the awe inspiring Roan Mountain State park in neighboring Carter County. On the web: www.mtmfest.com.

Appalachian FairThe final week in August draws tens

of thousands of people to Washington County’s rural Gray community for a premier regional fair that this year will play out in its 95th season. It’s a week long affair featuring competitive livestock shows, agricultural contests, beauty competitions, farm and home demonstrations and a star studded concert series held nightly on the fair’s main stage. Founded in 1926, the fair’s next run is set for Aug. 23-28, 2021. On the web: www.appalachianfair.com.

Umoja FestivalJohnson City’s longest-running

festival, the Umoja Festival is a celebration of unity of the community’s diverse cultures, music, dance, food and entertainment. Organized and hosted by the nonprofit Umoja Arts and Cultural organization, the 23-year-old festival attempts to bridge differences and unify its attendees through educational and entertaining presentations of art and heritage. Its name is derived from the Swahili word for unity and its underlying goal is to bring people together to celebrate their ethnic diversity and a universal love of life. The festival is held on the streets of downtown Johnson City each September. On the web: umojajc.org.

National Storytelling Festival

Held annually on the first week of October for nearly five decades, the National Storytelling Festival is a source of great acclaim for the little town of Jonesborough. A draw for upwards of 10,000 storytelling fans who flock into Northeast Tennessee from across the country and far corners of the globe, the festival features three days of live performances by some of the world’s most acclaimed tellers. Professional performances are held under big-top tents erected throughout Jonesborough historic district and on stage at the town’s International Storytelling Center on Main Street. Several separately ticketed events are also featured in the days leading up to the festival. On the web: storytellingcenter.net.

Brews and TunesA weekly summer series in

Tennessee’s oldest town, Brews and Tunes is a recurring festival featuring local craft beers and live music every Sunday afternoon June through September along Main Street in historic downtown Jonesborough. The plaza of the town’s International Storytelling Center serves as ground zero for the outdoor festival’s musicians and beer and many of the town’s quaint and inviting shops open up for those who wish to explore the town’s centuries-old storefronts. A rotation of some of the region’s most popular food trucks come out to feed the festival attendees. Featured breweries rotate between many of the best Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia have to offer.

Thirsty OrangeReturning to Johnson City in April,

more than 150 craft beers and ciders and upwards of 100 home brews all for the sampling are at the heart of Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza at

Founders Park. A ticketed event, the festival highlights beers from craft breweries and area home brewers from across the region who come together annually for what they consider to be a brewers’ family reunion. Throw in a brewing competition, some live music and food from a few of the city’s most popular eateries and the festival’s reputation as a beer lovers’ favorite is little wonder. It’s more notable accolades include ratings among Beer Yeti Top Five Festival in the US, a Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine Top 50 Festival listing and a spot among Paste Magazine’s Top 7 Oktoberfests in the US. Set for April 24, 2021. On the web: thirstyorange.com.

Nearby Festivals:

Fun FestHeld each summer in neighboring

Kingsport, Fun Fest features more than a week-long community celebration featuring a roster of live musical performances, sporting events, games, food, fireworks, children’s activities and more. The festival is Southeast Tourism Association Top 40 Event and a Southeast Festivals and Events Association Kaleidoscope Award winner. On the web: funfest.net.

Rhythm and RootsOne of the Northeast Tennessee and

Southwest Virginia region’s largest music festivals, the annual Rhythm Festival in downtown Bristol features an eclectic variety of more than 100 local and nationally known bands and musicians performing on some 20 stages. Founded in 2001 the festival rapidly grew from a few thousand attendees to estimated crowds of 40,000 to 45,000 people who travel to the city known as the “Birthplace of Country Music” from 40 states and six different countries. Set for Sept. 10-12, the festival’s 2021 headliner will include Tanya Tucker, Rhonda Vincent, Amythyst Kiah and others. On the web: bristolrhythm2021.com.


Ballad Health, a health care system formed when Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System merged in 2018, serves 29 counties in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwest North Carolina and Southeast Kentucky.

The system operates 21 hospitals, including three tertiary medical centers: Johnson City Medical Center, Bristol Regional Medical Center and Holston Valley Medical Center.

Johnson City Medical Center is a 445-bed center and is one of five Level 1 Trauma Centers in Tennessee. It is the second hospital built in Tennessee and acts as a comprehensive, acute care teaching hospital affiliated with East Tennessee State University.

The facility has a 43-bed intensive care unit and also operates a leading cancer center, a specialized heart center and advanced diagnostic imaging services.

Also in Johnson City, Ballad has Niswonger Children’s Hospital at JCMC, a state-of-the-art medical

facility for children in a family-centered environment, and Franklin Woods Community Hospital, an acute care 80-bed hospital.

Ballad also operates community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a behavioral health hospital and an addiction treatment facility in the Appalachian Highlands Region.

Ballad employs 15,000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the region.

The system is governed by a certificate of public advantage in Tennessee and a similar document called a cooperative agreement in Virginia.

On its website, Ballad Health points to two reasons why a merger was necessary: Rural hospitals are struggling to remain open and the community isn’t as healthy as it could be.

According to Becker’s Hospital Review, 120 rural hospitals have closed in the past 10 years, including 13 in Tennessee. That’s the second

most closures nationwide. Texas tops the pack with 20.

In creating Ballad Health, officials say the system will be able to generate savings and reinvest that money into preserving access to care. The system says it has also made binding commitments in its governing documents in Tennessee and Virginia to keep hospitals open.

In October 2018, Ballad Health cut the ribbon for a new $20 million hospital in rural Unicoi County.

In addition to keeping rural hospitals open, Ballad aims to improve health outcomes through investments in the region, which suffers from high rates of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, addiction and untreated mental illness.

The system has committed to invest $308 million over 10 years in behavioral health, children’s health, rural health services, health research, workforce development, population health initiatives and promoting health information exchange.

Committed to wellness in the region

Ballad Health

Johnson City Medical Center. Johnson City Press

Ballad employs

15,000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the region.


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The James H. Quillen VA Medical Center has more than a century’s worth of connection to Johnson City, first as a disabled veterans to live out their days and now to a full-fledged hospital system that serves veterans from East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Southeast Kentucky, that consists of 12 sites of care.

The Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was established in 1901 and saw the first patient in October 1903.

The original construction included 37 buildings, which included eight barracks for 2,500 men, a mess hall - now the Clock Tower - a four-ward infirmary, officers/surgeons’ quarters, administrative building, powerhouse, laundry, icehouse, hotel, chapel, theatre, bandstand - now the gazebo - a jail, and morgue. Other buildings were added until the project was completed in 1910.

In 1921, Mountain Home officially became a tuberculosis sanitarium in response to great concern about the spread of the disease, especially after the outbreaks during World War I. Thirty-Three of the 55 buildings on campus were designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2011.The main hospital, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC), commonly referred to as Mountain Home VAMC, is the parent facility and located in Johnson City. Other satellite sites include the William C. Tallent Outpatient Clinic (WCTOPC) in Knoxville and 10 additional VA located in Morristown, Rogersville, Sevierville, Mountain City and Campbell County, Tennessee, and Bristol, Norton, Jonesville, Vansant, and Marion, Virginia.

Of the ~65,000 Veterans in our service area, roughly 20, 000 of those

Veterans are assigned to primary care teams at the Mountain Home campus.

JHQVAMC enhanced veteran access to care through an affiliation with ETSU College of Medicine and 79 partnerships and started two new academic affiliations—University of Tennessee and Meharry Medical College. The VA also partnered with Milligan University and added clinical rotations for physician assistant students from Milligan University.

The JHQVAMC and the VA National Cemetery are co-located on 247

acres, serve 65,000 Veterans and have 2,500

employees.

In addition to providing acute care in 104 hospital beds, JHQVAMC offers geriatric and rehabilitation services through its 70-bed Community Living Center, and also operates a 150-bed Domiciliary that offers a variety of treatment options, which include a homeless inpatient treatment program and homeless outreach. Additionally, there are specialized programs such as Radiation Oncology, robotic surgery, and Gynecology that are housed on the main Mountain Home campus.

The Morristown VA Clinic is undergoing expansion of approximately 2,800 square feet to address the needs of a growing Veteran population. This expansion will support the mitigation of Primary Care and Mental Health challenges as well as to repatriate services.

The Clock Tower building houses the Medical Museum of Mountain Home and is scheduled for renovation in early 2021 for use as administrative space. Portions of the museum are planned for relocation to the historic chapel.

Fast Facts:• JHQVAMC added a DaVinci

Xi surgical robot for robotic surgeries in Gynecology/Urology/General Surgery.

• Expanded Gynecologic services and increased the number of designated women health providers to 30.

• Strategic protocols have enhanced MISSION Act compliance and increased footprint in the Western Market.

• Increased usage of telehealth and added specialty service to some Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

• A $2.2 million, 9,600 square foot clinic annex was constructed in 2017. New services were MRI and Fluoroscopy and 10 state of the art eye lanes for optometry.

• A $3.6 million renovation expansion of a 13-bed ICU was completed in 2018 with the implementation of innovative Tele-ICU capability.

• Renovation of the Mental Health area was completed and activated in 2018, including 55 offices, four group rooms, three centralized check-in locations and large, open waiting areas.

• Awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Radiation Oncology from the American College of Radiology in 2019; the only program in Northeast Tennessee that is ACR accredited, as well as the only one within a 50-mile radius.

• JHQVAMC opened its eleventh VA clinic in Mountain City, TN in August 2020.

More than a century of serving veteransVA Medical Center


Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

The Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site in south Johnson City is host to numerous history-oriented and cultural events year-round.

The site includes 45 acres, 11 historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery, a limestone cave, a natural spring, a buffalo trace, a nature trail, and a visitor center. The visitor center contains a permanent exhibit, museum store, educational spaces, a library, and archives.

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Tennessee Historical

Commission and by donations to the non-profit Tipton-Haynes Historical Association Inc.

In 1784, Colonel John Tipton (1730-1813) moved from Virginia to settle in what was then Washington County, North Carolina. For the next four years, the formation and decline of the State of Franklin became an important issue for the area and the life of Colonel Tipton, who stayed loyal to North Carolina. In February of 1788, the Battle of the State of Franklin turned the peaceful home of Colonel Tipton’s into a battle ground for Franklin independence. Colonel Tipton would later help with the development of Tennessee becoming the 16th U.S. state.

The Tipton heirs sold the property to the Haynes family, and it was soon in the hands of Landon Carter Haynes (1816-1875). He expanded the home into how it appears today. Haynes is best known for being a Confederate senator, but was also a state legislator, politician, farmer, newspaper editor, Methodist minister and attorney. Johnson City was briefly renamed Haynesville in his honor.

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site2620 South Roan St.Johnson City, TN, 37601(423) 926-3631On the web: www.tipton-haynes.org..

History runs deep in Washington County

Historic Sites

John Tipton Jr. expanded his father’s cabin in the 1820s, making it a Federal-style farmhouse. Johnson City Press

Colonel Tipton helped

with Tennessee becoming the 16th U.S. state


Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

History runs deep at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park on the banks of the Watauga River at the western entrance to Elizabethton.

Some of the state’s most significant early history took place on the park’s lands and a short distance from the par – events so dramatic and with characters so colorful and heroic that they continue to inspire the imagination today.

Some of these include the Transylvania Purchase, where Daniel Boone helped to facilitate what has been called the biggest real estate transaction on the American continent. There is the siege of the fort, with a rebuilt fort in the same dimensions to keep the memory of the stand alive. Finally, there is the Gathering of the Overmountain Men at Sycamore Shoals on their way to fight a force of British loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain. All of these events are portrayed each July in the state’s official outdoor drama “Liberty!” presented at the amphitheater at the park, along with year-round events celebrating history and culture.

The park includes a visitor’s center, three picnic shelters/pavilions and three hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate. Behind the visitor center is a reconstruction of the 18th century Fort Watauga, now the site of educational programs and musters presented by

the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park1651 W Elk AveElizabethton, TN 37643(423) 543-5808On the web: tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals.

Rocky MountRocky Mount represents a

successful early government in what would become Tennessee, a success that followed the failure of the Lost State of Franklin.

The house is located just north of Johnson City just across the Washington County line in Sullivan County. It’s proximity makes it an excellent resource for school groups and families as they step back in time to see what life was like when this country was founded.

William Cobb brought his family from North Carolina and built his two-story log home in the year 1770 and completed it in 1772 in what is now Piney Flats. Cobb was one of the first settlers on the frontier and his home became the capitol of the Southwest Territory, which later became the State of Tennessee. The Cobbs moved west in 1795, leaving Rocky Mount to their daughter, Penelope, who had married Hal Massengill. Rocky Mount stayed in the family, passed down through the generations until 1958. Over the years,

the log house has been modernized several times. The logs were covered with clapboard siding, and the original shingles had tin roofing over them.

Pauline DeFriece, cousin of the owner of Rocky Mount, John Massengill, believed that the building should be preserved by the state and be opened to the public as a showplace to the memory of the early settlers of the region. She set in motion the chain of events that lead to the purchase of Rocky Mount by the state of Tennessee. She also established the Rocky Mount Historical Association, the organization that maintains and operates the site to this day.

Rocky Mount opened to the public with few visitor services in 1962. A small Visitor Center was built with space for a receptionist and 5,000 square feet of gallery space. In 1990, a 175-seat auditorium with video output, library, and 4 classrooms were added.

In keeping with the importance of providing a footing for the state’s first organized government, time remains stuck at 1791 at Rocky Mount. Costumed historical interpreters display the essential frontier hospitality to visitors from another century who drop in at Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mount200 Hyder Hill RoadPiney Flats, TN 37686(423) 538-7396On the web: rockymountmuseum.com.

Overmountain Men reactors crossing the Watauga River – a tradition at Sycamore Shoals. Johnson City Press


Washington County is home to nearly 1,000 miles of county roadways, federal and state highways.

Among the most important are Interstates 26 and 81, as well as U.S. 11E, which have a combined length of over 1,200 miles and stretch from upstate New York to South Carolina.

Interstate 26I-26 begins in nearby Kingsport,

Tennessee, and runs south for 305.62 miles before ending in Charleston, South Carolina. It travels through the major cities of Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Interstate 81I-81 is significantly longer than

I-26, coming in just shy of 855 miles in length. It begins in Dandridge, Tennessee, and travels through Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania before ending in Syracuse, New York.

U.S. Route 11EU.S. 11E connects Knoxville with

Bristol, Morristown, Greenville and Johnson City, and spans 120.9 miles.

Other Highways in Washington County

There are 19.08 miles of interstate and 141.25 miles of state routes in Washington County, a total of 160.33 miles. Some of the key highways that pass through Washington County are U.S. Routes 19W, 23, 321 and State Routes 36, 67, 75, 81, 91 and 107. U.S.

Route 321 is one of the county’s major highways, and connects Hardeeville, South Carolina, with Lenoir City, Tennessee, spanning 516.9 miles. State Route 36 is another important route in Washington County, as it connects Johnson City to Kingsport.

County RoadsWashington County has nearly 1,500

named roads (1,492) that stretch for 787.93 miles.

In addition to the roads, the county also has 488 bridges — 372 of which are under 20 feet long and 116 that are 20 feet in length or more.

Tri-Cities AirportWashington County is also

connected via I-26 and State Route 75 to the Tri-Cities Airport, which has flights to Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, North Carolina, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and Orlando/Sanford and St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida.

The airport is centrally located between the three cities of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City and is spread across 1,260 acres, including a 119,000 square foot terminal. Allegiant, American and Delta airlines all fly out of the airport.

Johnson City TransitJohnson City, located in Washington

County, also has its own transit system that connects much of the city via bus. The system has more than a dozen routes, including several routes that transport students on the campus of East Tennessee State University, aptly named “Bucshot.”

Transportation Washington County is home to nearly 1,000 miles of county roadways and

highways.

Interstate 26. Johnson City Press


Washington County boasts one of the best areas for outdoor recreation in Northeast Tennessee. Hiking, running and biking are some of the most popular activities out there.

Plus, there are plenty of parks to enjoy a nice day at any time of the year. Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department does an outstanding job in upkeep of the parks within and surrounding the city.

Buffalo MountainEasily one of the most

recognizable features of Johnson City, Buffalo Mountain Park is a 725-acre natural resource acquired in 1994 through a land swap with the U.S. Forest Service.

The park is located on the north slope of the mountain. It consists of steep topography and is a heavily -forested area that is perfect for hiking, picnicking and outdoor nature Programs.

Tweetsie TrailA popular recreation spot, the

Tweetsie Trail connects Johnson City and Elizabethton via a rail-to-trails project that follows the old ET&WNC railroad.

The trail is mostly gravel and runs 9.8 miles from the Alabama St. trailhead in Johnson City to Hatcher Lane in Elizabethton, where the trail ends currently.

The trail opened in 2014 and with a relatively flat grade in a natural setting it has been a go-to spot for runners, cyclists and walkers from all around.

Tannery KnobsCovering over 40 acres of wooded

terrain in the heart of downtown Johnson City, Tannery Knobs Bike Park is one of the newest attractions for thrill-seekers.

Designed as a skills park for all ages, riders can experience off-road riding in a progressive environment.

Every trail and feature has been

professionally designed and built, ensuring enthusiasts and beginners alike will find the perfect ride. Folks can also partake in hiking and trail running to experience the spectacular views atop the mountain of the downtown area.

Winged Deer ParkThe 200-acre park sits on the

outskirts of Johnson City going towards Bristol.

Some of Winged Deer’s amenities include softball fields, scorer’s tower, restrooms, soccer fields, batting cages, an 18-hole disc golf course, playground area, concessions, half-mile walking track and paved fitness trails.

The lakefront area features two sand volleyball courts, picnic shelter with restroom, public boating access, green space, lighted handicap accessible boardwalk, amphitheater and a Festival Plaza multi-use area with restroom.

It’s always a good day to get into nature

OutdoorRecreation

Wetlands Water Park. Johnson City Press Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park. Johnson City Press

Washington County has an

average of 200 sunny days

per year


Willow Springs ParkLocated on the southwest part of

Johnson City between Huffine and Antioch roads, the 36-acre park plays on the city’s beginnings of a small train village.

The park is named after a dairy that operated near the site around the turn of the century. Architectural designs for shelters and light fixtures are reminiscent of styles prevalent during Johnson City’s earliest days.

Willow Springs is also home to the Johnson City Dog Park, a members-only not for profit dog park featuring two acres of leash-free play area for dogs of every size and every age.

Parks in Downtown Johnson City

Founders Park — Located in the heart of downtown Johnson City, the lush greenspace that greets visitors and residents as they enter the district from the west was designed through a storm water retention project.

The Public Arts Committee has placed many sculptures in the park and musicians can enjoy the open air pavilion. Founders is also the traditional site of several events and festivals.

Civitan Park — The park was established in 1963 on the site of a former landfill.

Civitan 33-acre community park has undergone a total renovation for primary use as a soccer facility. The development includes concession, restrooms, volleyball court, playground and a walking trail connecting Civitan to Lions and Rotary parks.

Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek — The 28-acre park offers several hiking trails, a wetland area and an abundance of wildlife including fish, frogs, salamanders and many types of birds.

In 2018, the National Wildlife Federation recognized Jacob’s Nature Park as a certified wildlife habitat

King Commons — One of the smaller and newer parks in downtown, King Commons encompasses three acres of recreational and event space, including winding paths and a mural providing an ideal spot for photos.

Lions Park — Established in 1958, the 8-acre neighborhood park is used primarily for Little League baseball.

Some of the amenities include two lighted fields, one non-lighted field, concession and restroom area, a covered pavilion with restrooms and a kitchen and a small pavilion that accommodates about 16 people.

Metro-Kiwanis Park — The 15-acre community park was established in 1972 and is used primarily for

softball league play.Some of Metro-Kiwanis’ highlights

include concessions, restrooms, picnic shelters, playground area, softball fields, and tennis courts.

Friendship Gardens, located within the park, are home for “Junaluska” a 30-foot carving honoring American Indians.

Rotary Park — Built on land donated by The Carnegie Realty Company in 1908, Rotary Park consists of 10.4 acres and is one of the most popular parks. The park has six covered picnic shelters, restrooms, picnic tables, multi-use playing field, and a brand new all-inclusive playground area.

JonesboroughJonesborough has seven city parks.

Jimmy Neil Smith Park is located in downtown Jonesborough, while Mill Spring Park is adjacent to the Washington County Courthouse. Golden Oak Park and Stage Road Park have fun and safe areas for kids as young as 2. On the web: jonesborough.com/parks-2.

Wetlands Water Park features include a rain tree, slides, a lazy river, a zero depth wading area, pavilions for shade, a full-service café and dining area, sand volleyball court, and shower/restroom facilities.

On the web: www.wetlandsjonesborough.com.

Winged Deer Park Disc Golf Course. Johnson City Press


WASHINGTON COUNTY

Population: 129,375Land area: 326.47 square miles

Population per square mile: 376.7Highest elevation: 3,520 feet

AGEPercent by age group

Under 18: 18.6%18 to 24: 12.6%25 to 44: 24.2%45 to 64: 26.4%

65 and older: 18.2%

HOUSINGTotal housing units: 61,186

Owner-occupied housing rate: 64.7%Median value of owner-occupied

housing: $159,400Households: 53,190

Persons per household: 2.3Median household income: $46,752

EDUCATIONHigh school graduate or

higher, 25+: 88.6%

Bachelor’s or higher, 25+: 32.4%

COST OF LIVING (100 national average)

Overall: 83.5Grocery: 96.5Health: 97.2

Housing: 65.2Utilities: 93.2

Transportation: 77.8Property tax rate: $2.15 per $100

assessedSales tax rate: 9.5%

CLIMATEAverage rainfall: 43 inches

Average snowfall: 11 inchesAverage high: 85.8 degreesAverage low: 25.5 degrees

BUSINESSTotal employer establishments: 2,880

Total employment: 52,669Annual payroll: 2,108,067

Non-employer establishments: 8,697

JOHNSON CITYPopulation: 67,859

Land area: 42.94 square milesPopulation per sq mile: 1,470.6


Under 18: 17.1%18 to 24: 18.1%25 to 44: 28.2%45 to 64: 21.1%

65 and older: 15.4%





EDUCATIONHS grad or higher, 25+: 90.2%


COST OF LIVING(100 national average)

Overall: 82Grocery: 96.2Health: 97.2




JONESBOROUGHPopulation: 5,321

Land area: 5.14 sq milesPopulation per sq mile: 981.9


Under 18: 13.8%18 to 24: 6.1%

25 to 44: 29.5%45 to 64: 26.1%

65 and older: 24.5%





EDUCATIONHS grad or higher, 25+: 85.5%


COST OF LIVING(100 national average)

Overall: 86.3Grocery: 97.5Health: 97.2




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Bristol Motor Speedway continues to set the standard in sports and entertainment for the Appalachian Highlands region.

Built in 1960 with a seating capacity of 18,000, BMS has since grown into one of the world’s largest sports venues with a current capacity listed at 147,000.

While BMS sit in Sullivan County, its financial impact is felt throughout the region, especially in Johnson City and Washington County’s hospitality and tourism arena. Hotels and restaurants get major boosts from the events at the speedway each year.

The iconic facility hosts two NASCAR Cup Series race weekends yearly. In 2020, the schedule expanded to include the NASCAR

All-Star Race for the first time. Continuing to be innovative, the racing surface around the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” will be covered in clay in 2021 as BMS features a variety of racing events, highlighted by the Food City Dirt Race, the first Cup Series race on dirt in 51 years.

With its massive size, BMS safely hosted the largest crowds at any American sporting events during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 with the NASCAR All-Star Race and Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.

Record crowds are nothing new as the track featured 55 consecutive sellouts from 1992-2008. The largest crowds, estimated at 160,000, witnessed the fender-rubbing, paint-trading action which the high-banked oval track is famous for.

In September 2016, the track hosted the biggest college football game ever, the “Battle at Bristol” between Tennessee and Virginia Tech. It shattered the NCAA single-game attendance record with 156,990 to see the Vols’ 45-24 win over the Hokies.

A week later, East Tennessee State set a home attendance record of 13,863 to watch the Bucs score a 34-31 victory over Western Carolina. BMS first hosted football in 1961 when the defending NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins 17-10 in an exhibition game.

Serving as a music venue, BMS hosted a massive concert by country music superstar Kenny Chesney in 2016.

2020 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. Associated Press

The region’s premier sportsand entertainment venue

Bristol MotorSpeedway

BMS has grown into

one of the world’s largest sports

venues with current capacity listed at

162,000


Top: 2016 Battle at Bristol football game. Bottom right: 2020 Food City presents Supermarket Heroes 500. Johnson City Press

Plans have been announced to open up the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre at the adjacent Bristol Dragway in 2021. The speedway and dragway combine to host hundreds of events yearly including varied racing competitions, Monster Truck shows, racing schools and 5k runs.

BMS is also the home of Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, the region’s most dazzling holiday lights display with a four-mile trek through two million lights.

It also provides a unique place for business meetings, charity events, auctions and even weddings, truly making it the premier sports and entertainment venue in the Appalachian Highlands region.


TVA Credit Union BallparkTVA Credit Union Ballpark stadium

has been hosting baseball since 1956 and many major-league stars appeared at the venue on their way to the big leagues.

The park holds more than 3,000 fans, features an artificial turf infield, which has allowed many games to be played on rainy nights, and a beer garden with two levels of seating.

Kermit Tipton StadiumFor many years, Science Hill’s

football team loaded up on a school bus and traveled downtown — these days, the Hilltoppers make the short walk from their state-of-the-art field house onto the Field Turf playing surface at Tipton Stadium.

The 6,600-capacity multi-use facility was built in the valley beneath the high school. The stadium opened with an electric atmosphere in 2010.

Science Hill added the 13,000-square foot field house to the scene in 2015, completing a dramatic upgrade.

Science Hill’s GymnasiumScience Hill’s cutting edge new gym,

which opened for the 2012-13 school year seats 2,800.

The gym features an energy efficient lighting system and a section for the students located in the “end zone” area behind the basket.

Freedom Hall Civic CenterThere’s no denying that men’s

basketball has become the flagship program of the East Tennessee State University athletic department and the crowds at Freedom Hall drive that point home.

ETSU led the Southern Conference in attendance with an average of more than 4,500 fans last season. Sellout crowds of 6,177 watched the Bucs’ final two home games.

The arena also has been the site of high school games and concerts throughout the years.

ETSU’s Greene StadiumEast Tennessee State’s football

stadium is the gem of the school’s facilities. The $26 million stadium opened in 2017 and has had several standing-room-only crowds. It has seating capacity of 7,600 and a grass hill that has turned into a popular spot to watch the games. Views of the nearby mountains make it a spectacular place to see a game on a crisp fall Saturday.

ETSU Athletics CenterThe Minidome has had a few

names throughout the years and has been the competitive home to several of the school’s teams, including basketball and football. The record attendance came in 1994 when

14,051 fans showed up for an NBA exhibition game.

It still serves as ETSU’s indoor track while being a practice facility for the football, basketball, baseball, softball and tennis teams.

Other ETSU Facilities

Thomas Stadium – The home of ETSU baseball, opened in February of 2013, has seating for 1,000.

Summers-Taylor Stadium – ETSU’s men’s and women’s soccer facility holds 1,000 people with a hill along the far sideline.

Betty Basler Stadium – ETSU’s softball field opened in 2009 and seats around 500 fans.

Warren-Greene Golf Center – The home of the ETSU men’s and women’s golf teams was built as a world class practice facility in 2004. It was designed by famed golf course architect Tom Fazio.

Brooks Gym – The home to ETSU’s volleyball and women’s basketball teams was built in 1950. The facility has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, but still has the feel of an old-time gym.

Sports Facilities Standing-room-only crowds are

common at home games in the $26 million Greene

Stadium.

Greene Stadium at East Tennessee State University. Johnson City Press

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