A distinct “e” for extra is what you will find in this small town
The history running through the veins of Greeneville, Tennessee, makes this small town as distinct as the extra “e” in its name. Greeneville sits in the shadow of the Unaka Mountains, peaks rising around 5,000 feet above sea level. While not located on a river, waterways like the Nolichucky River and Lick Creek have both had profound impacts on the area, providing plenty of fertile soil for crops like tobacco, which once was king here.
Founded in 1783, Greeneville is one of Tennessee’s oldest towns. (Jonesborough is the oldest and is about 30 minutes away). Like hundreds of other towns, Greeneville’s historic district experienced a significant decline as shopping centers and malls began to lure people away. Restoration projects, streetscaping, and the addition of a performing arts center and community college nearby have breathed new life into the historic heart of the town.
A Presidential Town
When you’re driving around Greeneville, you’ll see a lot of signs, buildings, and banks with the name Andrew Johnson emblazoned on them. The man who would become the 17th President after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln called Greeneville home long before his rise in politics, staying there through his death only a few years after holding the nation’s highest office. The Andrew Johnson Presidential Library is nearby on the campus of Tusculum University, the oldest college west of the Alleghany Mountains.
Andrew Johnson Historic Site & Greeneville Capitol Structure
The Andrew Johnson Historic Site is perhaps the most recognizable attraction in Greeneville. Made up of Johnson’s Tailor Shop, two of his homes, and the National Cemetery where he and his family are buried, Andrew Johnson NHS welcomes more than 50-thousand visitors each year. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained in this small park. A visit to the President’s grave site takes you to one of the best views in Greeneville.
Long before Andrew Johnson began his political career, and before Tennessee became a state, Greeneville served as the capitol of an aspiring state that eventually faded into history. A small log structure just up the hill from Greeneville’s “Big Spring” serves as a reminder of this attempt to create the State of Franklin from this rugged part of the American frontier.
Greeneville Renewal Downtown
One of the newest stars in Greeneville just happens to be a street that used to be the commercial heart of the town. After a couple of years of intense construction, Depot Street is busy again. With newly constructed streetscaping and a number of building renovations, this street is once again a popular place to shop, grab something to eat, or spend time with an adult beverage next to a fire pit. Construction of new businesses continues, and the future for Depot Street looks bright.
At the heart of Downtown is the General Morgan Inn and Conference Center and Morgan Square, the crowning jewels of Historic Greeneville’s rebirth. The development wraps around the corner of Depot and Main Streets and is much more than just a place to stay; it’s a catalyst for development (which also happens to be the name of the coffee shop in the square). There are several shops, office spaces, and dining options available. The Inn is one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America.
Rows and rows of bright yellow lights and lines of green neon bring the marquee of the historic Capitol Theater to life. The Art Deco-style theater has undergone multiple renovations and uses since its construction in the 1930s. It’s a great place to catch live music and more, and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, which hosts several big acts, is just a few blocks away.
Civil War History to Explore in Greeneville
Civil War buffs will find plenty to explore in Greeneville and Greene County. Start at the Greene County Courthouse, where there are monuments honoring both Union and Confederate soldiers. There’s also a historical marker explaining how much this part of Tennessee sided with the Union. The Dickson-Williams Mansion nearby is where Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was ambushed and killed. And the Cannonball Church (a.k.a. Cumberland Presbyterian) still shows off “the” cannonball that struck its front wall during the Civil War.
While history is monumental in Greeneville, the mountains off in the distance provide monumental opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. Places like Paint Creek and Horse Creek are popular spots in the Cherokee National Forest for watching waterfalls, hiking, and camping. The Nolichucky River is another natural wonder, renowned for its whitewater rafting opportunities. Frontiersman Davy Crockett was born along its banks, and a state park is located at the site of his birth.
** Note to Readers: Hurricane Helene in 2024 left big scars on the landscape along the Nolichucky, so be aware that some sites may not have been rebuilt or reopened.)
Writer Bio
Travel does more than transport you from one place to another, it provides an avenue for endless adventure. My name is Clayton Hensley (a.k.a. knoxroadtripper). I am an East Tennessee native
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who has always loved the open road and the chance to experience new places.
Following a 15-year career in the television news business, I found myself writing more and more about travel. I started as a freelancer with the Knoxville News-Sentinel, then moved to writing for outlets online. Eventually, I created my own website focused on travel, knoxroadtripper.com.
The travel writing journey not only took me to different places, it also took me to new levels professionally as my writing expanded to work in travel guides and work on a wide range of websites, and attending many travel-related conferences. My hope is to inspire people to venture out on a road trip and return with a new perspective about the places they visited along the way.
My wife, Melinda, and I have lived in Clinton, TN, for more than 25 years. We have a son and a daughter, who, through the years, loved traveling with us (most of the time)! My “real” job is working as a communications director for a large church. In what little spare time I have, I love taking lots of pictures, cooking, and catching up on the TV shows I’ve missed because I’m out on a road trip.
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