Watauga Lake Hats & T-Shirts
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More WataugaLakeMagazine articles:The Butler MuseumLearn how and why Watauga Lake was formed and how the citizens of "Old Butler" Tennessee were changed forever. . . . |
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A Kayaker's ViewSee Watauga Lake up-close from a Kayak |
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Watauga Lake TriathlonSwim over 1,000 yards in a deep lake, race in your bike over 21 miles through the mountains, THEN... run 5 miles ... |
President Andrew Johnson Home SitesAll photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2008
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In Greeneville he met his future wife, Eliza McCardle, and married her in May 1927. Johnson had not attended school and learned to read from Eliza's school books. She also taught him to write. He became a successful tailor in Greeneville. The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site includes a museum, his original tailor shop, 2 of his homes, the national cemetery where he and his family are buried and a building showing what his birthplace in Raleigh looked like. There are free maps available, a knowledgeable attendant at the museum and a small gift shop with books about Johnson, the area and the Civil War. 
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Johnson's actual tailor shop is enclosed in the museum building. This is where his political ideas took shape as he talked with his customers over the years. He was known as "Andy". He first ran for office in 1829 and was elected as an alderman. He became mayor of Greeneville 5 years later. At the same time he was financially successful as a tailor and was known for his frugality. 
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"The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson is clarified in the museum, and visitors can vote as a Senator in the trial, deciding Johnson's guilt or innocence of the impeachment charges. The voting tickets are replicas of the original tickets to Johnson's impeachment trial, and visitors are encouraged to keep them after the voting tab is removed. The results are tallied and published every year on the May 26, 1868 anniversary of the final Senate vote." 
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Andrew Johnson's last house is called the Homestead now. It is restored to its 1869-1875 appearance after his return from the Presidency in Washington. The house was used by both Union and Confederate troops as headquarters during the War. Some of the graffiti left on the walls by soldiers during that time is still visible. After the war, the Johnsons remodeled the house, bringing back many items from their time in Washington. Many of these items are still in the house today. |
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Johnson chose Signal Hill in Greeneville as his burial place. It's high perch overlooks the town and the nearby mountains. The cemetery is known today as Monument Hill and is a national cemetery open to today's veterans and their spouses. 
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Directions to Greeneville Tennessee from Watauga Lake:Take Route 321 from the Lake through Elizabethton and Johnson City Go approximately 30 miles beyond Johnson City and follow the signs to the Historic Sites when you reach Greeneville. Links to references in this article: |
