In the news: Rock City barn being torn down in Jefferson County

This barn was located on highway US11E about a mile west of New Market, TN in Jefferson County and was visible to westbound traffic heading towards Knoxville. The barn is being torn down, but by people who want to preserve it in another location.

See the story here.
http://www.local8now.com/home/headlines/Rock-City-barn-being-torn-down-in-Jefferson-County-261713551.html

Other side:

Dandridge, TN Revolutionary Graveyard

Graveyard at original site of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, organized 1785, the first church in what would become Jefferson County in 1792. Cemetery contains graves of early citizens and Revolutionary War veterans. Today the grounds are maintained by Martha Dandridge Garden Club.

The town of Dandridge was named after Martha Dandridge, who married George Washington. Dandridge, TN is supposedly the only town in America named after the first first lady and also claims to be the 2nd oldest city in TN.

Jefferson County Courthouse - Dandridge, TN

This courthouse is one of the oldest in Tennessee, dating back to 1845.

Built by the Hickman Brothers with bricks from McQuistion kiln in East Dandridge, it's a Greek Revival structure that replaced a smaller brick courthouse on same grounds. The construction took much longer than planned due to floods. It is a two story building with a recessed two story portico and a tall tower

The courthouse was almost lost to the ages as the city was going to be underwater as the result of a New Deal era TVA lake, but after discussion, FDR had the town saved by an earthworks levy. At some point in the 1900's the courthouse was painted white and the roof and the shutters and tower top were red. In the late 70's the courthouse front was restored to its earlier appearance and the tree planters were added in the front.

Today, this building is also home to the Jefferson County Historical Museum that proudly displays the 1806 marriage license of Davy Crockett and his sweetheart Polly Finley and an eclectic mix of small relics and artifacts of daily life in early East Tennessee.

When You See...

When You See Rock City You See the Best.

This is indeed a Rock City barn, although if you didn't know what the rest of the message said, you wouldn't realize it. The colors above the newer overhand have faded, and underneath it so dark under there that you can't see any of the words when driving by.

This Rock City barn is seen by the westbound traffic on US70/25W less than a mile East of I-40 and approx 3 miles west of Dandridge, TN in Jefferson County. (Satisfying my inner roadgeek,) when I look at this spot on Google Earth, I wonder if at one time, before the interstate came through the area if this "Ashville Highway" passed to the right of this barn as now the highway passes to the left

See Beautiful Rock City Today - New Market, TN

This barn is located on highway US11E about a mile west of New Market, TN in Jefferson County and is visible to westbound traffic heading towards Knoxville. According to the book "See Rock City Barns: A Tennessee Tradition" The barn and farm have remained in the same family for over a century. The barn is sometimes used to hold tobacco, but there is none to be seen on this day.



This barn is also a heritage barn. In the 1990s, the farm was designated by the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture to be a Century Farm.

Hickman Tavern / Dandridge, TN Town Hall

This brick building in a Federal Style was built ca. 1820. The highlight is an interior circular staircase which winds up to the third floor. The building was originally owned by the Fain family and later by James Hickman who built the county courthouse. Today it is the city hall.

In the background, you can see the levee which was built to prevent Dougas Lake from flooding the historic city center.

Shepard's Inn - Dandridge, TN

All three of Tennessee's Presidents, Jackson, Polk and Johnson, stayed at this popular resting and eating spot for stagecoach travelers. Originally, it was built as a two story log home in 1814. Shadrach Inman added the frame exterior in ca. 1823. There are stepping blocks for ladies located in the front. Today, it's on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Dandridge Historic District.

Jefferson County Courthouse - Dandridge, TN

This courthouse is one of the oldest in Tennessee, dating back to 1845.

Built by the Hickman Brothers with bricks from McQuistion kiln in East Dandridge, it's a Greek Revival structure that replaced a smaller brick courthouse on same grounds. The construction took much longer than planned due to floods. It is a two story building with a recessed two story portico and a tall tower

The courthouse was almost lost to the ages as the city was going to be underwater as the result of a New Deal era TVA lake, but after discussion, FDR had the town saved by an earthworks levy. At some point in the 1900's the courthouse was painted white and the roof and the shutters and tower top were red. In the late 70's the courthouse front was restored to its earlier appearance and the tree planters were added in the front.

Today, this building is also home to the Jefferson County Historical Museum that proudly displays the 1806 marriage liscense of Davy Crockett and his sweetheart Polly Finley and an eclectic mix of small relics and artifacts of daily life in early East Tennessee.

Glenmore Mansion

Located in Jefferson City, TN (In Jefferson County, the town used to be called Mossy Creek) the Glenmore Mansion was built in 1869 to be the home of John Roper Branner. John Branner died before the house was completed, and for a few years his brother Joseph ran the Branner Institute for Young Ladies here. In 1882, the home was sold to the Jarnagin family. Glenmore was the name of Milton Jarnagin's first son, who died as a baby.

In 1970, the mansion was aquired by a local historical preservation group.

The mansion is located along the old Andrew Johnson Highway. The fine example of Victorian Architecture in a Second Empire style was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

www.glenmoremansion.org/