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The Butler Museum

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

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HOME   >   HISTORY >  Tipton-Haynes Historic Site
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Tipton-Haynes Historic Site


Tipton Haynes House 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.

January 2008

"Imagine the buffalo and elk walking around Buffalo Mountain, coming to drink at the "bold spring" located on what is now the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site. For years the animals walked three or four abreast to beat down a solid trail. Over 4,000 years ago, the Early Woodland Indians and later the Cherokee followed the animals and established hunting camps on the site. James Needham and Gabriel Arthur (1673) and later Daniel Boone (1760s) into the area. "
    ~ Tipton Haynes Historic Site brochure (see website link below)

Recommended Reading : "Touring The East Tennessee Backroads " by Carolyn Sakowski

Click on the image at left to learn more . . .
"Product Description
The historical facts in the first edition of Touring the East Tennessee Backroads have not changed much since the book was first published in 1993, but highway construction and development has altered the routes of the 13 tours. For this second edition, the author drove over 3,000 miles to update the tours where people such as Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson, Sequoyah, Nancy Ward, and Clarence Darrow once traveled the same backroads.

About the Author
Carolyn Sakowski is the author of Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads and co-author of Travel North Carolina: Going Native in the Old North State. A native of Morganton, North Carolina, she holds a B.A. in history from Queens College and an M.A. in history from Appalachian State University."
     - Book Description from Amazon.com
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The Tipton-Haynes property sits surrounded by a growing commercial area. Yet, on that site one of the important events in the near-formation of The Lost State of Franklin and the actual formation of the State of Tennessee took place.

What some call the Battle of the State of Franklin took place on this site in 1788. North Carolina authorities seized some of John Sevier's slaves and stashed them at John Tipton's house at this location. Sevier and supporters came to the site to reclaim the slaves and a "battle" broke out at Tipton's house (February 27-29). The North Carolinians won this battle which signaled the end of the State of Franklin. Both Tipton and Sevier went of to serve important roles in the State of Tennessee when it was formed in 1796.

Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee

When Tipton died in 1913, his son John Tipton, Jr. inherited the property. He went on to serve in the Tennessee House and Senate. His heirs sold the property to David Haynes in 1837. It was a wedding gift for his son Landon Carter Haynes. He was a lawyer, farmer and newspaper editor and served in the Tennessee General Assembly. Because he was a supporter of the Confederacy, he was forced to flee the area after the Civil War.

Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The property was sold in 1871 and was conveyed to the Simerly family and was eventually owned by Samuel and Lawson Simerly, great-grandnephews of Landon Carter Haynes. They conveyed it to the State of Tennessee in 1944. It is maintained today by the Tipton-Haynes Historical Association and was opened to the public in the 1970s.

Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Also on the site is a famous and easily accessed cave. As early explorers moved through the area along the Buffalo Trail some took refuge in this cave. Some speculate that Daniel Boone may have been one of those visitors.

The Tipton-Haynes Site is normally open from April through November from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. However, it is best to call to confirm the time before you visit. Their number is (423) 926-3631. They are also open in the winter, but call first to double-check their hours. Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee
Tipton Haynes House near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Links to references in this article and to sites related the Old Butler Days: