Trail by County

Carter County, Tennessee

Discover the first frontier, an area rich in history, brought to life by historical reenactors, pioneer homesteads, and museums. It was at Sycamore Shoals between present-day Elizabethton and Watauga that the first independent government, called The Watauga Association, was established. Pioneers successfully negotiated a treaty for land with the Cherokee, however, the treaty was considered illegal by the British Crown. King George's Proclamation of 1763 preemptively barred colonization west of the Appalachian Mountains. Rather than evacuate as commanded, a semi-autonomous, temporary government was formed and the Articles of the Watauga Association were written four years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. After the start of the Revolutionary War, the settlement was annexed into North Carolina and the Watuaga Association was quickly dissolved. This would not be the last act of the Wataugans. Fearing post-Revolutionary war debts would result in the sale of a large portion of what is now East Tennessee to Spain or France, the Wataugans would later become involved in an unsuccessful regional attempt to break from North Carolina and establish the "State of Franklin". The region did break from North Carolina but not until 1796 would it became part of the new state of Tennessee. Known as the oldest settlement in the state of Tennessee, the Elizabethton area was also the first permanent settlement west of the Continental Divide, earning it the title, "The First Wild West".

	Hart Barn   Watauga, TN     853 Watauga Road     -82.2770996, 36.3639984 In the 1930’s, Julia Pearl Persinger Hart, mother of the current owner of Hart Farm, pieced a Hearts & Gizzards quilt top. ...
	Crumley Farm   Elizabethton, TN     Boones Creek Road     -82.4635010, 36.3269005 Lone Star is one of the most popular quilt designs and can be seen at Crumley Farm in scenic Jonesborough. ...
	Plum Grove Barn   Elizabethton, TN     Jackson Bridge Road off Hwy 107     -82.0915298, 36.3843079 The Conklin Community, situated on the north side of the Nolichucky River, was one the homes of John Sevier, 1745-1815. Sevier was a noted Indian fighter, land owner, Washington County ...
	Vest Greenhouse   Elizabethton, TN     458 Laurels Rd     -82.2919769, 36.2698898 ...
	Storie Barn I   Elizabethton, TN     146 Hwy 91     -82.1990967, 36.3596992 The Dutch Boy and Girl play across this quilt pattern at Storie Barn along Highway 91. ...
	Storie Barn II   Elizabethton, TN     6466 Hwy 19E     -82.2070007, 36.3545990 View the traditional 9-patch pattern at Storie Barn along Highway 19E. ...