History

The Covered Bridge

Built in 1882, the Doe River Covered Bridge in Elizabethton is believed to be the oldest such bridge in the state still used daily.

Whether you are seeking a casual stroll, an opportunity to feed the ducks, or a picnic alongside the Doe River, the Doe River Covered Bridge is a must-see when visiting Carter County! In 2016 it was named the Top Covered Bridge in the United States by readers of USA Today after receiving the most votes out of a pool of 20 covered bridge nominees.

Constructed at a cost of $3,000, the noble bridge spans the river for 134 feet, resting on earth and stone abutments. The original structure was built entirely of wood, with steel spikes used to fasten together the massive oak pieces used in the floor. The Doe River Covered Bridge, a historical treasure, is one of two such bridges identified by the Tennessee Historical Commission marker, as well as included in the national Registry of Historic Sites.

Elizabethton Walking Tour

With such a long history and a community dedicated to preserving it, there are many important historical structures still in use in Elizabethton.

From the homes of some of the towns notable citizens in days gone by to places of worship, and from the seat of county government to buildings where children were educated, there are many historic buildings to see.

The Elizabethton Walking Tour provides visitors and locals alike the chance to walk in the footsteps of history as they learn the stories of some of the town’s oldest buildings. The Elizabethton Walking Tour is self-guided. Stop by the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce to pick up your brochure and map and get ready to start your adventure.

Situated in front of the Carter County Courthouse at what was once the heart of downtown Elizabethton, a towering white obelisk that has stood for more than 100 years serves as a monument to the veterans of all wars.

The Carter County Veterans Monument is one of Elizabethton’s more recognizable landmarks. With its position at the intersection of East Elk Avenue and Main Street, The Monument, as it is commonly referred to, is typically either the first or the last thing visitors to downtown see.

But the Monument is more than just a landmark in the historic district, it is a lasting tribute to the hundreds of Carter County residents who have donned a uniform in service to their country.

Construction on the Monument began in the spring of 1912 and finished in 1913. The cost to construct the monument was around $500, money that was donated by individuals in the community. The Monument was designed to be similar to an Egyptian obelisk. The Monument was made of river rock and hand-mixed concrete. The outer surface was covered with smooth plaster to resemble granite.

Veterans Monument

Nestled away atop Roan Mountain is a little farm with a big history. The Dave Miller Farmstead, part of Roan Mountain State Park, serves as a living museum to a past age — a time when farming and raising livestock was how many people lived.

The farmstead was first settled by Dave and Louisa Miller and their family in 1870. The farmhouse which currently stands on the site was built by Dave Miller and his son Nathaniel “Nat” Miller in 1908.

The farmstead is now used as an interpretive site by the Roan Mountain State Park to educate visitors on the lifestyles of the people of this area of the Appalachian Mountains. The Miller Farmstead is open Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day and then on weekends in October.

In 2014 the Miller Farmstead was added to both the State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.

The Historic John & Landon Carter Mansion

Built between 1775-80 by John and Landon Carter, the Carter Mansion is the oldest standing frame house in the state of Tennessee. Both John and Landon were strong business, political and military leaders in the Watauga Settlement in the late 18th century. The interior of the home is noted for it’s elaborate architecture which include hand carved panels, crown molding, and chair railing. Considered the oldest paintings known in the state, two over-mantle paintings can be seen over the fireplace in Carter’s office and upstairs in the master bedroom.

Prior to Carter’s arrival, Native Americans lived at this site as documented by archaeological studies in 1923, the 1970’s, and more recently in the Fall of 2016. Three centuries before Carter’s arrival, evidence suggests that there was a thriving town and community here. For thousands of years before that, Native Americans used this land for seasonal camp sites.

The Carter Mansion is managed by Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and offers tours and special events throughout the year, which include Christmas at the Carter Mansion in early December and the Carter Mansion Celebration in the spring.

The Carter Mansion is a satellite campus of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. For more information, call Sycamore Shoals at 423-543-5808.

Veterans Walk of Honor and War Memorial

Located in Historic Downtown Elizabethton, the public can take a walk through history to remember the men and women that have served in the United States armed forces. The Veterans Walk of Honor features a walk beside engraved bricks highlighting local community members that served in a variety of ways to protect the country. Right across the road is the War Memorial with names of veterans that served in each war time era. Both areas are maintained by city officials and volunteers to showcase the veterans in a beautiful and respectable manner.

Sabine Hill

Sabine Hill was built around 1818 by Mary “Polly” Patton Taylor, the widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor.

In 1809, Nathaniel bought 381 acres of land from Joseph Tipton Sr., which included the site of Sabine Hill. Taylor continued to purchase land in the area, and at one point he and Mary owned around 3,000 acres, which they named “Happy Valley.”

Nathaniel quickly became a leader in the community as well as on the business front. He was appointed as a Justice of the Peace when the community was still part of North Carolina, and he holds the distinction of being the first Sheriff of Carter County. Nathaniel became one of the wealthiest men in Carter County with business ventures that included the manufacture of bar iron, flour, and gunpowder.

In addition to his local commitments, Nathaniel also served in the military and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 1804 and commanded a regiment of Tennessee Troops. During the War of 1812, he and the East Tennessee Militia served under General Andrew Jackson in Mobile, Ala. Sadly, Nathaniel passed away in February of 1816.

As Nathaniel was involved in local politics, so too were many of his descendants — perhaps most notably brothers Robert (Bob) Love Taylor and Alfred (Alf) Alexander Taylor. In 1886, the brothers ran against each other in seeking election to the Governor’s seat in a political campaign which became known as the “War of the Roses.”

The home was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1974 and in 2017 was designated as a State Historic Site. Sabine Hill is now a satellite campus of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVHT) is part of the U.S. National Trails System. It recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina.

The OVHT follows the route from Abingdon, Virginia at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, fording the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals through present day Elizabethton, Tennessee, crossing the Doe River twice near both Hampton, Tennessee and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and ascending over the steep Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, on through South Carolina to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain now within Kings Mountain National Military Park.

Fifty-seven miles (92 km) of OVHT are officially developed for public use, and development continues on the remaining sections. The official sections of the trail were established through agreements with current landowners and often have overlapping designations. All officially certified segments are identified through the use of signs displaying the trail logo (an Overmountain man in profile on a brown and white triangle) or a white triangular blaze.

A parallel Commemorative Motor Route travels along state highways and, in some stretches, actually travels over the old historic roadway. The Overmountain Victory National

Historic Trail is a cooperative effort of the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, local governments, local citizens’ associations, local historical societies and the states of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In 2017, the National Park Service placed a special marker at Sycamore Shoals marking it as a significant site along the National Historic Trail honoring the muster, march, and victory of the Overmountain Men during the American Revolution.