More WataugaLakeMagazine articles:

The Butler Museum

Learn how and why Watauga Lake was formed and how the citizens of "Old Butler" Tennessee were changed forever. . . .

A Kayaker's View

See Watauga Lake up-close from a Kayak

Watauga Lake Triathlon

Swim over 1,000 yards in a deep lake, race in your bike over 21 miles through the mountains, THEN... run 5 miles ...

HOME  >  DAYTRIPS  >  JONESBOROUGH  >  Washington County Courthouse
     See Also . . . STORYTELLING CENTER   |   HISTORIC BUILDINGS: Part 1   |   HISTORIC BUILDINGS: Part 2   |  
           VISITORS' CENTER   |   JONESBOROUGH INNS   |   JONESBOROUGH DOWNTOWN PHOTOS

Historic Washington County Courthouse in
Jonesborough Tennessee


Washington County Courthouse in Jonesborough Tennessee near Watauga Lake Tennessee
All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2008
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.
February, 2008

In front of the Washington County Courthouse is a marker which states:

Washington District 1776

The First Governmental Division ever named in honor of George Washington.

Washington County 1777

Jonesbourough established by N.C. Act of 1779. Laid out 1780

Capital of the State of Franklin 1784-1785

Judicial Capital Washington District; Territory South of the Ohio River
1790-1796

Washington County Courthouse in Jonesborough Tennessee near Watauga Lake Tennessee

That is quite a history for one town and courthouse. One day after the sigining of the Declaration of Independence leaders from the Watauga Association requested permission from North Carolina to form their own district. Washington County was formed one year later

Jonesborough was selected as the county court's permanent location because it was between the settlements along the Watauga River and the settlements along the Nolichucky River.

The first courthouse, a log structure, was built in 1779. The current courthouse was built in 1913.

Washington County Courthouse in Jonesborough Tennessee near Watauga Lake Tennessee Washington County Courthouse in Jonesborough Tennessee near Watauga Lake Tennessee           

A tree in Jonesborough Tennssee near Boone North Carolina

Links related to this article: