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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 ... |
The Chester InnAll photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2008
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The State of Tennessee purchased the property and began a restoration in the 1990s. They found 97 layers of paint on the outside of the inn. They eventually decided to restore it to the 1890s period because of the Victorian-era porch on the front of the house. The Inn today is owned by the Tennessee Historical Commission and is home to the International Storytelling Center. |
"In 1832, (Andrew) Jackson returned (to Jonesborough) as President of the United States. He was met about 4 miles east of Jonesborough and escorted into town by a group of a hundred horsemen. The next day, a reception was held on the porch of the Chester Inn, where he had stayed on occasion." The Chester Inn was the first inn on the Tennessee frontier to provide featherbeds. The building has been expanded several times to accommodate the inn's growing business. In 1836, the size of the building was nearly doubled with the addition of private rooms on the second and third floors. The original kitchen was a separate building. This was often done to minimize the risk of destroying the main house in case of a kitchen fire. Dr. Chester, a physician, found it necessary to add to his income and established an apothecary shop in the late 1790s and early 1800s. Over the years, the cellar has been home to a several businesses including Jonesborough public library. |
Christopher Taylor HouseFebruary, 2008"About one mile southwest of this location, this log house was built in 1777 by this officer who was a veteran of the French and Indian War and a major in the American Revolutionary War. He is buried in the family cemetary nearby. Andrew Jackson lived here in 1788 - 89 while practicing law in Jonesborough. The house was moved intact to this site in 1974 to preserve it from demolition. " |
Andrew Jackson loved horse racing and trained his horse on Christopher Taylor's property for months before a race against one Colonel Robert Love' horses. Jackson's jockey became ill at the last minute and Jackson rode his own horse. Jackson lost and flew into a rage. The two proceed to call each other names publicly but eventually made up . . . "...Jackson supposedly never took part in another horse race and even developed a distaste for the sport. Instead, he turned his attention to 'weightier matters of life,' including becoming a war hero at the Battle of New Orleans and later President of the United Ssates. " |
The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Jonesborough to its 2005 list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States. It was selected from nearly 80 destinations in 44 states that were nominated by individuals, preservation organizations and local communities. |
Sisters' Row"In the 1820's Mr. (Samuel) Jackson built Sisters' Row for his daughters, Susan, Eliza, Caroline and Harriett. It was designed as a Philadelphia style row house containing three separate units, with Elijah Embree as general contractor and John Smith, subcontractor. The porches were added in the 1880s. . . |
. . . Three of the daughters became Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Aikens, and Mrs. Ross (later Mrs. Wall) and, after their marriages, eventually established their own homes. Their brother, Alfred E. Jackson, was among Jonesborough's prominent businessmen who took out stock in the ETN & VA Railroad in the 1840s. The family is said to be related to Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, and during the Civil War Alfred Jackson was called "Mudwall Jackson" by the Union soldiers as a sign of grudging admiration for his perseverance. At the time of his death in 1888, Alfred E. Jackson was the oldest living resident in Jonesborough and the oldest living Confederate General. " |
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