Johnson City

Johnson City is a town in northeastern Tennessee that spans Washington, Carter, and Sullivan counties. The settlement sits on hilly terrain at an elevation of about 500 meters (1,640 feet) and connects rural outskirts with urban neighborhoods that developed along former railway lines.

A railway station established in 1856 as Johnson's Depot attracted settlers and developed into a junction for three major rail lines. During the prohibition period in the 1920s, the place gained nationwide recognition for illegal alcohol production in the surrounding mountains.

Local traders and residents often refer to the center simply as 'Downtown', where pedestrian zones with old facades line the main streets. Many shops and restaurants use historic buildings that still show traces of the earlier railway era and now serve as meeting points for students and families.

Visitors reach the center most easily via Interstate 26, which runs directly through the town and provides access to parking near the main street. Pedestrians find wide sidewalks and well-kept parks that suit calm walks through different neighborhoods.

A concert series in 1928 brought musicians from the surrounding mountains to a makeshift recording studio and documented traditional songs that had never been recorded before. These recordings, known as the Johnson City Sessions, are now considered an important source for research into early American folk music.

Location: Washington County

Location: Carter County

Location: Sullivan County

Inception: 1856

Elevation above the sea: 498 m

Website: https://johnsoncitytn.org

GPS coordinates: 36.31344,-82.35347

Latest update: December 15, 2025 12:39