Johnson City Roundtrip The Southern Dozen Ride 11 East Tennessee History Tour
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-02-2021
Route Summary
This is ride 11 of the Southern Dozen. Originally this is a short ride (37 miles) where you will visit a couple of historic museums and do a lot of sight-seeing, I’ve added some additional scenic roads and museums to visit bringing the total distance to 76 miles
Share this route
Animation
Verdict
Duration
3h 9m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
121.67 km
Countries
Mill Spring Road Jonesborough
RouteXpert Review
Ride 11 of the Southern Dozen East Tennessee History TourExplore the scenic roads leading to the historical Rocky Mount and Tipton-Haynes sites, the Sycamore Shoals Fort, and Carter Mansion - the oldest mansion in East Tennessee, dating back to 1775. At the Doe River, you’ll see one of the country’s last remaining covered bridges, which dates back to the early 1880s. And bring your swim gear!
The ride starts in Johnson City and the first stop is the Rocky Mount Living History Museum (RP4) that sits at the foot of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and offers tours along the different sites where they use living history to enhance public understanding of the daily life and values of the early settlers in our area.
You continue through the scenic Piney Flats into Elizabethon (RP10), a small town with some antique shops, so a good stop for a short break. You can have a short photo stop at the Carter Mansion (RP11) on your way to the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. The Carter Mansion is the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee, dating back to the mid to late 1770s. Have a short stop to take a picture at the covered bridge (RP12) across the river Doe.
Next stop is the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park (RP16) which protects the land that was the location of several important historic events that occurred in the late 18th century. Leaving the English colonies, settlers began arriving along the Watauga Old Fields, in search of a new life on what was Cherokee land. John Carter, one of the primary political, military and business leaders of this era, and his son Landon built the Carter Mansion.
The next historic site you’ll visit is the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site (RP17), which tells the rich story of the history of Northeast Tennessee and of the several families that lived here. The site includes 45 acres, eleven historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery, a limestone cave, a natural spring, a buffalo trace, a nature trail, and a Visitor Center. The Visitor Center contains a permanent exhibit, museum store, educational spaces, a library, and archives.
Instead of the highway we will take Dry Creek Road (RP19) through the mountains to our next stop the Hands On! Regional Museum where you can get up close and personal with an active prehistoric fossil dig site dating back 5 million years. Enjoy exhibits and programs featuring plant and animal fossils that have been unearthed at the site.
The next town you’ll visit is Jonesborough (RP22), plan some time to enjoy this town as it has a lot to offer. Check out the Lolli Pop Store (RP23), listen to story tellers at the International Storytelling Center (RP24) and visit the Chester Inn Historical Museum (RP25), all are in walking distance from each other.
After all this sightseeing you might want to plan a swim at the Wetlands Water Park (RP26).
On your way back to Johnson City you can have a last stop at the Hands On Discovery Center (RP28)
This ride combine some nice scenic rides with a lot of entertaining stops, I rate it with 4 stars.
RP8 Piney Flats Scenic Ride
RP17 Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site
Links
Usage
Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically.
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes