Back In The Day, This Quiet Tennessee Town Was A Mobster Mecca
By Chris Dodge|Published January 11, 2023
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Chris Dodge
Author
My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Walking downtown Johnson City would have looked much different in the 1920s. We are not just referring to the structure and technological advances, the entire culture was different. Today you will find a community of friendly people and thriving businesses. However, there is a quiet history of the city you may have never heard about. Issues surrounding prohibition, moonshiners, and crimes were on the rise. Mobsters frequented this little pass-through city and earned the nickname of Little Chicago.
The Roaring Twenties were a very interesting time for Johnson City.
The railroad industry was booming and put this east Tennessee city on the map. With three railroads continually rolling through the heart of downtown, there was a lot going on. But even more was going on in unseen places, and the reputation started to rise.
It would be reasonable to assume that the nickname Little Chicago came from the railroad system alone.
After all, Chicago was a thriving railroad city. But it wasn't the railroad system that gained the reputation - it's what came in on the trains that soon became the problem.
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Prohibition was in full effect in the 1920s, and with that came the rise of many illegal activities. The surrounding mountains became a backdrop for moonshiners to hide their stills and supply bootleggers. The whole business brought along some unwanted guests.
With the railroad allowing easy access, many of them flocked to the area to do business. Crime was on the rise and shaped the culture of this little city. There simply were not enough police officers to enforce the laws, and these unsavory gentlemen took full advantage. One of them was perhaps one of the most well-known names in the crime ring…
…Al Capone himself was rumored to frequent Johnson City.
The man was good at covering his tracks, so there is no written proof that the mob boss was indeed in the city. However, many people have told stories of seeing him in town. Oral history has been passed down, and many believe that he did business right here in the city. The topic is still debated today.
Whether Al Capone was in East Tennessee or not, the fact remains that this little quiet city earned the nickname of Little Chicago. It is hard to imagine today when you meet the friendly people of Johnson City, but in the '20s, things looked very different.
Hard work and great people have since been occupying Johnson City, changing the seedy reputation and making it beautiful again. Little Chicago may be a nickname that is behind us now, but the history is still there. Have you heard the rumors that Al Capone spent time in the city?
