The town of Jonesborough, Tennessee is wildly proud of its title as the “Oldest Town in Tennessee.” Founded in 1779, the sweet spot pre-dates statehood by almost 20 years, giving residents quite a bit to be excited about. The town continues its legacy as the original Tennesseans on an annual basis and melds its history with stunning beauty and kind people. So get ready to embark on a beautiful journey through time to our favorite out of all the historic towns in Tennessee.

Brent Moore - Flickr
Historically known as "Jonesboro," the county seat of Washington County sits pretty with over 6,000 folks as of 2022.
Brent Moore - Flickr
Built in 1912, the Washington County Courthouse was the seventh built in the county.
Adam Sonnett - Flickr
The town was founded when this part of eastern Tennessee was still considered North Carolina, by legislator Willie Jones who was looking to expand beyond the Appalachian mountains.
Adam Sonnett - Flickr
Popular amongst tourists, the east Tennessee town does its part to keep folks comin'. They host the National Storytelling Festival the first full weekend of October, and here you can see a shot of the Jonesborough Days Parade.

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Liralen - Flickr
The Jonesborough Historic District has been on the Registrar of Historic Places since the late '60s and remains one of the most picturesque parts of the city.
Angela/ Flickr
The ghost of Andrew Jackson is supposed to haunt their historic cabin, located in a public park. Jackson stayed in Jonesborough for a couple of months and after the cabin was moved from its original spot to the park, some say they've seen his ghost entering.
Angela/ Flickr
The town museum honors the tobacco farming heritage and also depicts life the way it used to be, when Tennessee was much younger.
LiranLen - Flickr
The courthouse is a stunning, and extensively photographed, bit of East Tennessee beauty. Interesting fact: the clock in the tower was from the original town clock tower.
Sandor Weisz - Flickr
If you're looking for a sweet place to visit, a town full of kindness and history, the oldest town in Tennessee most definitely fits the bill.

Have you ever visited the oldest town in Tennessee? Tell us your favorite part below! We have traveled downtown many times, and we find that out of all the oldest towns in Tennessee, Jonesborough is the prettiest one. We suggest you book a stay and make the most of your time in this historic town with plenty to explore and do. The best place to stay in town is located right in the heart of town at the Eureka Inn. We would also suggest taking a trip to The Lollipop Shop for a retro candy store experience.

For more historical places to visit, head on down to Greeneville, Tennessee which also served as the state capitol for a short time.

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Jonesborough, TN 37659, USA