Johnson County Courthouse Photo credit: Dennis Shekinah Beautiful Watauga Lake Photo credit: Sheila Stout Caldwell Johnson County Courthouse Photo credit: Dennis Shekinah 1/30 Subscribe for Updates Subscribe Now Thanks for submitting! STAY CONNECTED TODAY! BE IN THE KNOW Welcome to Johnson County TN Today, Tomorrow or a Lifetime! COURTHOUSE HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm ​ County Clerks Office Only Saturdays 8:30am-11:45am ​ County Phone Directory Johnson County TN Government Public Notices ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Planning Commission Meeting Monday, Sept. 16 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom Download Digital Packet ​ Budget Committee Meeting Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom Download Public Notice ​ ​ Johnson County Commission Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at 7:00pm Upper Courtroom Johnson County Courthouse Download Public Notice The Johnson County Courthouse will close on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 4:00pm to participate in homecoming festivities. UPCOMING EVENTS Johnson County History Museum Open Monday - Friday Johnson County Welcome Center​ ​ Experience "the Town that Wouldn't Drown" at the Museum of Butler TN Saturdays from 11:00am-4:00pm Sundays from 1:00pm-4:00pm ​ Mountain City Fiddlers Convention ​ ​ Friday, September 6 at 6:0pm Saturday, September 7 at 7:00pm ​ Spur'N Rodeo Championship Rodeo September 6 & 7 at 8:00pm Johnson County Chamber Park ​ 2024 Imagination Library Carnival Tuesday, September 10 at 4:00pm First United Methodist Church - MCTN ​ ​ Lawless Band LIVE Friday, September 13 at 8:00pm Clicker Licker Bar - Trade ​ Live Music with John Sullivan Sully Saturday, September 14 at 5:00pm Watauga Lake Winery - Butler ​ ​ Trade Mill Native Heritage Days September 21 & 22 at 9:00am Trade Community Center - Trade ​ Live Music with Edward Main Saturday, September 21 at 5:00pm Watauga Lake Winery - Butler ​ submit event | calendar of events ADVANCE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! turn on volume for more information order tix now turn on volume for full video experience get details here! Follow Johnson County Government Featured COMMUNITY POST

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Member Associations, Organizations & Awards Organizations Johnson County Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Tennessee Three-Star Community Main Street Tennessee The First Tennessee Development District Member Associations East Tennessee Purchasing Association (ETPA) Tennessee Association of Public Purchasing (TAPP) NIGP – The Institute for Public Procurement County Officials Association of TN (COAT) & Affiliate Associations TN County Highway Officials Association (TCHOA) Awards 2017 ETPA Innovation of the Year Award – Johnson County Purchasing 2021 TAPP Manager of the Year Award – Johnson County Purchasing ​ Visit the Johnson County Courthouse to learn more.

Johnson County Tennessee Communities Johnson County is the northeastern most county in Tennessee, sharing borders with Virginia and North Carolina. The county is situated entirely in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is made up of many small towns and communities situated over four mountains, three valleys and along one big lake. It is one of the highest counties in Tennessee, and it has a total area of 303 square miles, of which 298 square miles is land and 4.2 square miles is water. ​ Mountain City is the largest town in the county and serves as the county seat. The county is governed by a Board of Commissioners and a county mayor. There are (8) voting districts in the county represented by 15 Commissioners. The county is located within Tennessee’s 1st congressional district. ​ Johnson County was created in 1836 from parts of Carter County, where Elizabethton was the county seat. The residents of what is now Johnson County tried for years to get the county to move the seat to a more central location, because it was so difficult to travel to Elizabethton. Their formal petition was rejected by the county, so they petitioned the state legislature for the creation of a new county. The new county was named after Thomas Johnson, an early settler. ​ Mainly due to the remoteness of the county, the railroads did not reach Johnson County until the early 1900’s. The arrival of the railroad greatly helped the development of the timber and manganese mining industries. Butler, TN Butler is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, and is located along the northern shore of Watauga Lake. Butler is served by a Post Office assigned zip code 37640. The community is part of the voting district # 4 area of the county. The settlement of what is now known as Butler began in 1768. The town was originally located on Roan Creek at its confluence with the Watauga River, and the community was originally called Smith’s Mill for the gristmill built on the bank of the Roan Creek in 1820. After the civil war, it was renamed in honor of Colonel Roderick R. Butler. Aenon Seminary, a secondary school, was established in Butler in 1871. It later became Holly Springs College. In the 1906, it was purchased by the Watauga Baptist Association and renamed Watauga Academy. It operated under that name until 1948, when the town was inundated by the formation of Watauga Lake, and the town was relocated to higher ground to make way for the lake. The original town is now known as “Old Butler” and is called “The Town That Wouldn’t Drown”. The history and relocation of Butler is documented at the Butler Museum, which has incredible exhibits and original pictures on display presenting the long history, the Appalachian culture and the relocation of the original town to its current location. Cold Springs, TN The Cold Springs community is located in Johnson County, Tennessee, and it is located right outside of Mountain City. The primary coordinates of the community place it within the 37683 zip code delivery area of Mountain City. The community is part of the voting district #1 area of the county. In or near the community are the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and several businesses. The history of the community was rooted in farming and today there are still many farms in the area. Doe Valley, TN Doe Valley is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, and it is situated in the upper Doe Creek Valley between Iron Mountains to the north and Doe Mountain to the south. The community is located along Hwy 67 between Mountain City and Butler. It is near the communities of Pandora to the southwest and Dewey to the northeast. The primary coordinates for Doe Valley places it within the 37683 zip code delivery area of Mountain City. The community is part of the voting district #5 area of the county. Doe Valley is the location of the Tennessee Department of Correction’s Northeast Correctional Complex and the Johnson County Chamber Park, which hosts an annual rodeo and other events. This community is home to the Doe Valley Elementary School and the Doe Valley Volunteer Fire Department. There are also a number of small businesses located inthe area. It is near Watauga Lake and the Cherokee National Forest. Dry Run, TN Dry Run is a small community in Johnson County, Tennessee and is located near Butler. The primary coordinates of the county place it within the 37640 zip code delivery area of Butler. The community is part of the voting district #4 area of the county. Located in the community are the Dry Run Volunteer Fire Department and the Dry Run Elementary School. There are also several businesses in this area including the Dry Hill General Store & Deli and the Watauga Lake Winery. Forge Creek / Shouns, TN The Forge Creek and Shouns community is located in Johnson County, and it is actually situated within the town of Mountain City. It has an elevation of 2303 feet with Forge Mountain rising to the east of the town. The primary coordinates of the community place it within the 37683 zip code delivery area of Mountain City. The community is part of the voting district #2 area of the county. ​ In 1761 Daniel Boone came through the area that is now Johnson County. In the mid 1770’s, a settlement was established in the area called “The Trade Gap”, which was a trading post for Indians and traders. The area was renamed Trade, Tennessee and is the oldest community in the state. By the late 1770’s, Johnson County had a population of about 150 people, with a leading citizen being Leonard Shoun, who fathered 20 children, and for which Shoun’s Crossroads is named. Laurel Bloomery, TN Laurel Bloomery is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, and it is the northeastern most community in the state with an elevation of 2410 feet. It is located along Hwy 91 between Mountain City, Tennessee and Damascus, Virginia. Laurel Bloomery had a Post Office with an assigned zip code of 37680. It is now part of the Mountain City delivery area. The community is part of the voting district # 1 area of the county. The community was settled in the early 19th century. The community’s first bloomer forge mill was built and began operation in 1810. The mill was closed in 1870, but portions are still standing today. The community was named for the Laurel Creek between Damascus and Mountain City. The area is known for its’ beautiful mountains and secluded valleys. The area is home to some great hiking trails including the easier Laurel Creek Trail that meanders along the Laurel Creek and the more challenging Gentry Falls Trail leading to a double waterfall located in the back forest of the area. The Old Time Fiddlers Convention is held every year at the Old Mill Music Park. It marks the annual anniversary of the Mountain City Fiddlers Convention of 1925 that was held in nearby Mountain City. Musicians travel to this event to play and listen to old time folk and bluegrass music. Mountain City, TN Mountain City serves as the county seat of Johnson County, and it is the northeastern most county seat in Tennessee. It is the highest incorporated city in the state at an elevation of 2,418 feet. The town has a total area of 3.3 square miles, all being land. The town is situated in one of the highest valleys in the state. Forge Mountain rises to the east, Doe Mountain rises to the southwest and Iron Mountains rise to the north. Mountain City is just a few miles from both the Virginia and North Carolina state lines. US Hwy 421 connects Mountain City with Bristol, Tennessee, to the northwest and Boone, North Carolina, to the southeast. State route 67 winds along side Watauga Lake and connects the town to Elizabethton, Tennessee. Mountain City has a Post Office with an assigned zip code of 37683. The town is part of the voting district #7 area of the county. The first Euro-American explorers arrived in what is now the Mountain City area in the late 17th century using existing Native American trails. The first permanent Euro-American settlers arrived in the 18th century and among them were Leonard Shoun and Alexander Doran. The town was founded in 1836 and was originally called Taylorsville, in honor of Colonel James Taylor. The name was changed to Mountain City in 1885, to reflect it being in one of the highest valleys in Tennessee. Mountain City and Johnson County have a long musical heritage. In 1925, the town was the site of the first Mountain City Fiddlers Convention, which is considered a landmark event in the modern history of Appalachian traditional music. The musical gathering greatly contributed to the development of the genre of country music. It is celebrated every year at the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in nearby Laurel Bloomery. Shady Valley, TN Shady Valley is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, and is located just outside of the Cherokee National Forest. Shady Valley is also the name of the valley in which the town is located. It is the second highest community in Tennessee at an elevation of 2785 feet, and it is situated between Holston Mountain to the northwest and Iron Mountain to the southeast. The town is located at the intersection of Hwy 421 and Hwy 91 in the middle of the valley. Shady Valley is served by a Post Office assigned zip code 37688. The community is part of the voting district #6 area of the county. Shady Valley is home to some historic cranberry bogs. These are cold adopted ecosystems, far south of their usual range. The valley once contained an estimated 10,000 acres of boreal cranberry bogs. The annual Cranberry Festival held the second weekend in October every year, celebrates the remaining cranberry bog. The annual festival includes food, music, a parade and auctions. Shady Valley is also known for the famous Snake Motorcycle Ride. The local general store serves as the home base for this motorcycle route, and here you can get Snake Motorcycle memorabilia, food, gas and information. The community has two other small businesses, a US Post Office and the Shady Valley Elementary School. Trade, TN Trade is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, and is the eastern most community in the state. Trade is also considered the oldest community in the state, and it is the highest community in the state at 3133 feet elevation. It is located along Hwy 421 between Mountain City, Tennessee and Boone, North Carolina. Trade is served by a Post Office assigned zip code 37691. The community is part of the voting district #3 area of the county. In the 18th century, Trade was established as a trading outpost known as “The Trade Gap”. It was a trading post for Native Americans, pioneers and fur traders. Tom Dula (made famous by the folk song “Tom Dooley”) hid out in Trade as he was on the run, suspected of murder in North Carolina. He was eventually arrested by a posse in Trade. In 2008, the Trade Gristmill celebrated its grand opening at the Trade Community Center grounds. Most of the parts comprising the newly constructed mill date back to pre-civil war. This is a good attraction to share with family and friends. The culture and history of Trade is celebrated at the Trade Days Festival, a long running celebration of Appalachian arts, crafts, culture and history. It includes Appalachian music, dance and a Native American Pow-Wow. It is held at the Trade Community Center.

Places to Stay No matter where you choose to stay in Johnson County, you will be surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of our mountain ranges, serene views of our lakes and streams and the scents of unspoiled nature. Whether you love the convenience and hominess of a Bed & Breakfast or the rustic experience at one of our campgrounds, you will find warm hospitality across the county. If you need assistance in planning your visit, feel free to call our Welcome Center at 423-727-5800 for more information! If you have a Bed & Breakfast, AirBnB or Campground not listed, please let us know! add your location See Local Atrractions | Visit our Calendar of Events | Discover Things to Do JOHNSON COUNTY ACCOMODATIONS BLUE MONTANYA - THE RESORT 810 Cove Ridge Road Butler, TN 37640 800-665-8949 email BROOKSIDE MOUNTAIN COTTAGES 579 Trout Run Road Mountain City, TN 37683 423-895-3155 email BUTLER DEPOT AT WATAUGA LAKE 114 Piercetown Road Butler, TN 37640 423-727-3333 email BUTLER RELAXING & FUN CABIN AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ BUTTERMILK ACRES 240 Buttermilk Road Trade , TN 37691 423-727-1717 email CHEROKEE CREEK LODGE 268 Moreland Drive Butler , TN 37640 423-444-2518 facebook CHEROKEE FOREST MOUNTAIN CABINS 798 Grindstaff Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-4484 ​ CHESTNUT RETREAT AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ COZY FARMHOUSE AirBnB Shady Valley TN 37688 website CREEKSIDE CHALET 138A Moreland Drive Butler, TN 37640 423-768-2446 email CREEKSIDE CABIN Mountain Getaways Butler TN 37640 website ​ DOE VALLEY FARM CABINS 313 Stage Coach Loop Mountain City, TN 37683 423-270-1009 ​ ENTIRE CABIN IN BUTLER AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ FARMHOUSE WITH 4 BEDROOMS Mountain Getaways Mountain City, TN 376683 website ​ FLYFISHTN9 VACATION RENTAL AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website ​ FRONT PORCH LIVING AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website ​ GENTRY CREEK INN & STABLES 1959 Gentry Creek Road Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 423-727-7080 email GRACE SPRINGS RANCH AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ HOLLER HIDEAWAY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ HOLLER HOMESTEAD AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ LAKE & MOUNTAIN VIEWS HOME AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ IRON MOUNTAIN INN B&B 175 Moreland Drive Butler, TN 37640 423-768-2446 email LAKE & MOUNTAIN VIEW HOME AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ LAUREL MOUNTAIN LODGE AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ THE LOG CABIN INN 3711 Highway 421 South Mountain City, TN 37683 423-440-5882 ​ LOON TUNES COTTAGE Watauga Lakefront Retreat Butler, TN 37640 website ​ MAMAW'S PLACE/FARM AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ MOUNTAIN TOP FARM SUITE AirBnB - Camper/RV Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ MOUNTAIN & LAKE VIEW CABIN AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ PRIVATE CABIN - DOG FRIENDLY AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ SHADY LANE FARM HOMESTEAD VRBO & AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website ​ SILVER KEYS BED & BREAKFAST 6583 Highway 67 W Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-9451 ​ STILL WATERS LODGE Watauga Lake Butler, TN 37640 919-600-8034 email SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT 5793 Hwy 321 Butler, TN 37640 423-768-3105 email SUNSET RETREAT AirBnB on Watauga Lake Butler, TN 37640 website ​ TINY HOME IN MOUNTAIN CITY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ TINY HOUSE IN MOUNTAIN CITY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ THE WAGON WHEEL AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37693 website WATAUGA LAKE CABIN AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website ​ WHIPKINS COVE VRBO - Watauga Lake Butler, TN 37640 website WHITE FENCE FARM AirBnB Trade, TN 37691 website add your location JOHNSON COUNTY CAMPGROUNDS BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND 9941 Hwy 133 Shady Valley, TN 37688 423-735-1500 BACKWOODS FARM CAMPGROUND 134 Joe Dugger Lane Butler,TN 37640 423-281-2394 BAYVIEW CAMPGROUND 16335 Highway 67 W Butler, TN 37640 423-768-0434 CAMP FAITH 5340 Highway 321 Butler, TN 37640 423-302-9783 CAMP WATAUGA 16509 Hwy 67 W Butler, TN 37640 423-388-8974 CORN CREEK CAMPGROUND North 2374 US-421 Mountain City, TN 37683 423-460-3135 COVE RIDGE MARINA & RESORT 947 Piercetown Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-3760 DOE VALLEY CAMPGROUND 271 Pedro Shoun Lane Mountain City, TN 37683 423-218-9129 FISH TRAILS CAMPGROUND ​ 177 Robert Roark Lane Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 423-444-1545 FORGE MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND 1677 South Shady Street Mountain City, TN 37683 423-895-3093 OLD MILL MUSIC & RV PARK 7281 Highway 91N Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 423-791-8590 PIONEER LANDING CAMPGROUND 105 Cowan Town Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-3164 R&D CAMPGROUN D 900 Mining Town Road Mountain City, TN 37683 423-534-4785 ROAN CREEK CAMPGROUND ​ 205 Morefield Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-0012 SINK VALLEY CAMPGROUND 6365 Sink Valley Road Butler, TN 37640 407-768-0922 SWITCHBACK CREEK CAMPGROUND ​ 570 Wallace Road Shady Valley, TN 37688 407-484-3388 TWO CREEKS CAMPGROUND ​ 1037 Forge Road Mountain City, TN 37683 423-471-1356 WELCOME CENTER CAMPGROUND 716 S Shady Street Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-5800 add your location

Johnson County Services Dedication. Expertise. Passion. A major focus of our county government is to work to improve the quality of life for our residents. One way we are achieving this is by continuing to expand county services to meet the needs of our growing population. We are also working on improving our infrastructure to encourage and support private sector investment leading to more private businesses offering additional services to our residents. This section of our website presents some of our county departments offering public services and some important services offered by non-county affiliated entities. ​ Click on the links below for details and contact information. ADMINISTRATIVE & COURT OFFICES AIRPORT COUNTY/CITY COMMUNITY CENTER COUNTY MAYOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT LIBRARY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT SENIOR CENTER VOLUNTEER FIRE ​ WELCOME CENTER NON-AFFILIATED COUNTY ENTITY: Johnson County Community Hospital 1901 South Shady St. Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-1100 Dial 911 for true emergencies. website

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES If interested in employment with Johnson County, please pick up and submit an employment application from the Mayor’s Office at the Johnson County Courthouse. You may also download and print the employment application here . ​ Equal Employment Opportunity Information

Embrace the great outdoors ... arts ... music ... history ... and culture that is Johnson County! We are mountain and lake country with many types of outdoor recreation and adventures. Our visitor attractions include Doe Mountain with beautiful hiking, biking and ATV trails boasting incredible views. Enjoy water sports or just relax along with the current on the incomparable Watauga Lake. If you have a real sense of adventure, you'll find some of the best motorcycle and Jeep touring in the region along The Snake. For those seeking a more relaxed pace, marvel at the amazing mountain vistas at Villa Nove Vineyards or (the haunted) Watauga Lake Winery. Celebrate our rich musical heritage as the birthplace of Old Time Bluegrass Music at one of our festivals or take the Musical Heritage Mural Walk. Visit the best kept secret in Tennessee! Find Places to Stay | Visit our Calendar of Events | Discover Local Attractions DISC GOLF Our county has a good Frisbee Golf Course that is located in the Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City. The course was established in 2009 with great signage and regulation size baskets. It offers 9 holes/baskets and is a Par 27 course. The course is 2540 feet in length over a mostly flat and lightly wooded area. This is a good course in a nice setting. download disc golf map LOCAL PARKS The Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City offers a great setting with mature trees, park benches, a beautiful pond with home geese and good walking trails. There is a large picnic pavilion, playground, baseball field and skateboard park. The park is also home to a disc golf course, an excellent fitness trail and an outdoor stage for music events. The park features the Johnson County Memorial Wall honoring veterans from our area. ​ John Cunningham Park is located on College Street adjacent to the Community Center in downtown Mountain City and has a playground, pickleball courts, swimming pool facilities, and a little league baseball field with concession stand. ​ The Butler Ruritan Community Park is located in Butler across from the Butler Depot at 114 Piercetown Road. ​ HIKING Our area offers some of the best hiking in the region. Trails for all difficulty levels offer great views, waterfalls and historical sites. Laurel Creek Trail is an easy-to-hike wildlife haven in the Cherokee National Forest. The Cross Mountain Trail is a scenic moderate-level hike that overlooks beautiful Shady Valley. Gentry Creek Falls Trail is a harder level back forest trail that crosses the creek 14 times as it meanders for 4 ½ miles through the deep woods to an incredible double waterfall. There are many more nice trails in our area including a good section of the world famous Appalachian Trail. view walking & hiking trails BIKING Our area has good on-road and off-road biking opportunities. Our on-road choices include peaceful country roads, challenging climbs up mountains and thrilling downhill winding descends. For off-road biking enthusiasts, mountain biking is allowed at Doe Mountain Recreation Area on most of their Multi-Use Trails. For those who are seeking a milder trail biking experience, the famous Virginia Creeper Trail, in nearby Damascus, Virginia, offers an excellent choice. Here you will find many biking outfitters providing bike rentals and shuttle service. FISHING Our area is a fishing paradise offering some of the best fishing in our region. We have an abundance of creeks providing excellent fly fishing. We are home to pristine Watauga Lake where you can enjoy some great reel fishing by boat and shoreline. We also are home to Doe Creek, known for its great fishing holes. There are several fishing guide services available for those seeking a guided trip. CAMPING There are all types of camping available in our area from primitive camping to luxury camping. We actually have a full-service campground located on the hill behind the Johnson County Welcome Center, which is part of our tourism initiative. There are also several privately owned campgrounds offering everything from primitive camping to full service camping to glamping. HORSEBACK RIDING In our area, equestrians can choose between back roads, trails and wide open areas. We have many peaceful backroads choices all over the county. Horses are permitted on most Multi-Use Trails at Doe Mountain Recreation Area. In nearby Damascus, Virginia, horses are permitted on the famous Virginia Creeper Trail. For some longer trails with wide open areas, you can visit nearby Mount Rogers Recreation Area and Grayson Highlands State Park. These areas provide a series of trails and here you can access the 68 mile Virginia Highlands Trail. WATER SPORTS Johnson County is located on the north side of beautiful Watauga Lake, which is one of the cleanest lakes in America. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports in an inspiring setting. There are public beach areas, picnic areas, campgrounds and boat ramps. There are a number of marinas on the lake to service the boat activity and to provide boat rentals. For those seeking other rentals or guided trips, there are also several outfitters available on or near the lake. MOTORCYCLING Our county is home to the famous Snake 421 Motorcycle and Sport Car Route. This route offers something for all types of riders. There are challenging tight curves, sweeping wide turns, exciting winding descends and easy to cruise sections. Here you can experience a beautiful valley, a lush National Forest, winding mountain roads and rolling farm land. The hub for the Snake is the Shady Valley Country Store at the main intersection in Shady Valley. ATV RIDING Doe Mountain Recreation Area in our county features 8,600 acres of protected mountain terrain offering over 50 miles of blazed adventure trails. The most prominent type of adventure here is ATV riding. Here you will find trails of all difficulty levels. This is a great family wilderness area. Visit their website here. MURAL MILE WALK Enjoy a walk through beautiful downtown Mountain City, where a series of murals tell the story of Johnson County's rich musical heritage. Pick up a map on the front porch of Johnson County Center for the Arts or download your printable PDF Map here! ​ Visit the Long Journey Home website to learn more about The Musical Heritage Mural Mile tour. PICKLEBALL A fun sport for young and old alike, Pickleball is becoming one of the fast-growing sports in Johnson County. Local players and teams currently play outdoors on the courts located at the Mountain Community Center. Open play sessions and lessons are available.

JOHNSON COUNTY EMPLOYEE LINKS County Employee Email Login Page Custodial & Maintenance Request Form County Employee Handbook County Ethics Policy County Fleet Safety Policy County Cellular Telephone Policies County Purchasing Manual Event Calendar Guidelines State of TN Government Sales & Use Tax Certificate of Exemption County Employee Reimbursement Request Form TCRS Self-Service Website State Benefits Administration Self-Service Website Open Records Request Information Form Updated Travel Regulations - 2023 Travel Expense Form - 2022 County Maintenance Work Order Form PUBLIC OPEN RECORDS POLICY FOR JOHNSON COUNTY, TN Updated 02/18/2021 Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(g), the following Public Records Policy for Johnson County, TN Government is hereby adopted by the Johnson County Commission to provide economical and efficient access to public records as provided under the Tennessee Public Records Act (“TPRA”) in Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501, et seq. download policy & request form here

Johnson County Committees AIRPORT ADVISORY Mr. Bill Adams Mrs. Gina Meade Mr. Freddy Phipps Mr. Tommy Poore Mr. Jerry Redden Mayor Larry Potter ANIMAL CONTROL Mr. Eugene Campbell Mr. Jerry Gentry Mr. Tracy Greer Mr. Cody Osborne Mr. Tommy Poore AUDIT Mrs. Gina Meade Mr. Eugene Campbell Mrs. Sally Snyder Mrs. Megan McEwen BEER / ENTERTAINMENT Mr. Bill Adams Mr. Tracy Greer Mr. Eugene Campbell Mr. Jerry Gentry Mrs. Renee Proffitt, Secretary Mr. Bill Tugman BUDGET Mr. Jerry Gentry Mrs. Gina Meade Mr. Huey Long Mr. Freddy Phipps Mayor Larry Potter, Chairman BUILDING NEGATIONS / COURTHOUSE Mr. Bill Adams Mr. Eugene Campbell Mr. Jerry Gentry Mr. Brian Taylor Mr. Tracy Greer DISABLED ACCESS Mr. Bill Adams Mr. Brian Taylor Mrs. Serena Warren Mrs. Flo Bellamy ETHICS Ms. Tammie Fenner Mr. Kody Norris Mrs. Megan McEwen Mr. Huey Long Mr. Tommy Poore JOINT ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Mr. Jeff Fritts Mr. Dick Grayson Mrs. Megan McEwen Mrs. Gina Meade Mr. Kody Norris Ms. Angie Stout City Mayor Jerry Jordan County Mayor Larry Potter LAKE ACCESS Mr. Tommy Poore Mr. Jerry Gentry Mr. Jimmy Lowe Mr. Cody Osborne Mr. Tracy Greer Mr. Jerry Grindstaff Mr. Jimmy Lowe Mr. Lester Dunn Mrs. Gina Meade Mr. Huey Long LAND BROUGHT IN BY COUNTY "SALES TAX" MEAT PROCESSING Mr. Matthew Lewis Mr. Herbie Adams Mr. Jerry Gentry Mr. Billy Ward Mr. Terry Snyder Mayor Larry Potter PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Bill Adams Mr. Jerry Gentry Mr. Kody Norris Mr. Jimmy Lowe Mr. Lester Dunn PERSONNEL & TRAVEL Mr. Brian Taylor Mrs. Gina Meade Mr. Freddy Phipps Mr. Cody Osborne Mayor Larry Potter Ms. Cynthia Cretsinger Mr. Jerry Grindstaff Mr. Alan Hammons Mr. Bob Pardue Mr. Tommy Poore Mrs. Kim Wilson ​ PLANNING PUBLIC REC ORDS COMMISSION Ms. Tammie Fenner Mrs. Freida Gwinn Mrs. Sheila Caldwell Mr. Russell Robinson Ryan Carroll, County Attorney Mr. Jerry Gentry Ms. Jenny Johnson Manuel Mayor Larry Potter PUBLIC SAFETY Mr. Lester Dunn Mr. Eugene Campbell Mr. Jerry Gentry Mr. Jimmy Lowe Mr. Tommy Poore Mr. Tracy Greer Mr. Freddy Phipps Mrs. Megan McEwen Mayor Larry Potter PURCHASING Mr. Bill Adams Mr. Huey Long Mr. Cody Osborne Mrs. Gina Meade Mayor Larry Potter Mr. Jason Blevins Ms. Bev Graybeal Ms. Louise Lawrence Ms. Karen Manuel Ms. Robin Wilson SAFETY SOLID WASTE Mr. Jerry Gentry Mrs. Megan McEwen Mr. Brian Taylor Mr. Lester Dunn Mayor Larry Potter

Johnson County Attractions Johnson County has become a popular family vacation destination offering many outdoor adventures and a great variety of family attractions. We have a great county Welcome Center located on Hwy 421 in Mountain City offering travelers all the information they need to enjoy these adventures and attractions. ​ Find Places to Stay | Visit our Calendar of Events | Discover Things to Do Our Log Cabin Welcome Center warmly welcomes visitors to Johnson County. It is conveniently located on Hwy 421, in the middle of Mountain City, which is our county seat. Here you will find a small history museum with exhibits that present our history and showcases original artifacts and pictures from the past. The Welcome Center is staffed with knowledgeable and friendly people who can answer your questions, give you information about local businesses and provide tourism information about the many activities, attractions and adventures available in our area. ​ Johnson County Welcome Center 716 S Shady St, Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-5800 Tennessee's Best Kept Secret Johnson County is home to many types of attractions including historical sites, museums, theater, parks and music. There are also several nature based attractions such as Watauga Lake, Doe Mountain Recreation Area, and the Snake Motorcycle and Sports Car Route. ​ Continue to scroll down for more videos and links to more to do! In April of 2023, Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Legislative Body designated the iconic rock anthem, Copperhead Road by Steve Earle, as the 12th State song. In honor of this recognition, Johnson County Tourism partnered with The Waterfront Group to create a very unique landmark to capture the musical history and moonshine legends of this area of Tennessee. The landmark is free to visit and we encourage photos! The unveiling of the Copperhead Road Landmark in 2024 also kicked off the Copperhead Road Music Fest held over Memorial Day! Antiquing In Johnson County, you will find small and large antique shops for those searching for new treasures during their visit here. Appalachian Trail The famous 2,100 mile hiking trail meanders through our area offering some of the best hiking in the world. In our area this trail will take you along mountain ridges overlooking Shady Valley around pristine Watauga Lake and actually across the Watauga Dam and by incredible Laurel Falls. Backbone Rock Our county is home to Backbone Rock which is a natural wonder located in the Cherokee National Forest. It is known as the shortest railroad tunnel in the world. This unique rock formation hovers over Hwy 91 and provides a lasting memory. There is also a picnic area and hiking trails for your enjoyment. Doe Mountain State and local governments purchased Doe Mountain to keep it from being commercially developed and to provide an outdoor recreation area for this part of Northeast Tennessee. This 8,600 acre family wilderness area provides over 50 miles of blazed adventure trails for ATV riders, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Eco-Agriculture The history of Johnson County is rooted in rural American farming, the timber industry and mining industry. The county has transformed into a tourism destination with some eco-agriculture attractions such as Harbin Hills Farm, an organic farming operation with the Mountain Music Stage venue featuring music performances by some talented local musicians. Our county is also part of an American Viticulture Area which is a designation for areas that have the right geographic features to produce high quality wine grapes. We have a thriving vineyard and two local wineries serving award winning wines. The Watauga Lake Winery is located in a restored historic school building where you can participate in tours of the winery facilities and enjoy wine tastings. The vineyard offers a touch of Tuscany where you can dine while enjoying incredible views and attend some of the many scheduled events during the year. Heritage Hall This theater is a quality venue showcasing some great theatrical productions and musical performances. The theater venue is actually located in a restored turn of the century building and features an active calendar of events. Johnson County Farmer's Market The main work of the Johnson County Farmers Market is to help strengthen a sustainable local agricultural and food economy. Follow us on Facebook for current schedules and locations: @johnsoncountyfarmersmarket Johnson County Museum of History The Johnson County Welcome Center houses a small History Museum that presents the history of our area, our rural Appalachian culture and our long musical heritage. There are some nice exhibits to view as you learn about our history There is no cost to tour this museum. Johnson County Veterans Memorial Wall Located in Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City Tennessee, the Johnson County Veterans Memorial Wall commemorates our local hometown heroes that have served our great nation proudly. As they have stood for us, so shall we stand for them. Our Veterans Memorial Wall honors our brave service men and women and their sacrifice to protect our freedom and their courage to uphold their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Museum of Butler TN This first rate museum will amaze you with its quality exhibits and original photographs that bring to life the relocation of the town of Butler to make way for the creation of Watauga Lake. This museum is open on weekends between Memorial Day and late October. Guided tours are available by appointment. The Johnson County Center for the Arts The Art Center is located in Heritage Square in downtown Mountain City, Tennessee. This non-profit art center showcases Appalachian crafts, art and products produced by local artisans. They also offer a very active art class schedule, so be sure to check out the schedule to find a class in which you would like to participate. The Snake The famous Snake 421 Motorcycle and Sports Car Route runs through our county providing some of the best motorcycle touring in the southeastern United States. The Shady Valley Country Store is the hub for this ride and is located at the intersection of US Hwy 421 and TN Hwy 91 in Shady Valley, Tennessee. You are invited to come and ride the 489 curves over two mountains and through one valley. Trade Grist Mill The mill is located on the east side of US 421 in the village of Trade, on the TN/NC border. While the mill is located at the back of the road, it can easily be seen from the highway. Originally known as the Jones, May, Snyder Mill, it is now called the Trade Grist Mill. The mill was built around 1802 by Thomas Jones who migrated from North Carolina and homesteaded land on Roan Creek in an area known as Key Station, near Trade. Watauga Lake Johnson County is on the north side of Watauga Lake in the southern Appalachian Mountains. This is one of the cleanest lakes in America making it a choice family lake destination. There are public beach areas, picnic areas, campgrounds and boat ramps. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports such as skiing, sailing, pontoon boats, canoeing and kayaking in a cool clean mountain lake. Watauga Lake Winery Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, our Watauga Lake Winery revives a 40s-era school house rich in lore against a stunning mountain backdrop. Our Annual Festivals MOUNTAIN CITY SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL JULY LONG JOURNEY HOME LABOR DAY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER COPPERHEAD ROAD MUSIC FEST MAY MOUNTAIN CITY FIDDLERS CONVENTION SEPTEMBER TRADE MILL & NATIVE HERITAGE DAYS SEPTEMBER OLD BUTLER DAYS 4TH SATURDAY AUGUST CRANBERRY FESTIVAL SHADY ROCK SCHOOL OCTOBER CHRISTMAS ON MAIN FIRST SATURDAY DECEMBER

At a Glance School Directory Johnson County High School 290 Fairground Hill Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-2620 website Johnson County Middle School 278 Fairground Hill Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: (423)727-2600 website Doe Elementary School 7164 Highway 67 Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-2682 website Laurel Elementary School 300 Gentry Creek Road Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 Phone: 423-727-2685 website Mountain City Elementary School 301 Donnelly Street Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: (423) 727-2621 website Roan Creek Elementary School 2410 Roan Creek Road Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: (423) 727-4964 website Johnson County Board of Education Director of Schools Dr. Mischelle Simcox 211 North Church St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-2640 School Board 1st District Mr. Russell G. Robinson rrobinson@jocoed.net School Board 2nd District Chair Mr. Michael P. Payne mike.payne@embarqmail.com School Board 2nd District Vice Chair Ms. JoAnne Reece jreece3@jocoed.net School Board ​ 3rd District Mr. Gary Matheson glmatheson51@gmail.com School Board ​ 3rd District Mr. John L. Hollaway hollawayjh62@yahoo.com Contact Information Johnson County Board of Education 211 North Church Street Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-2640 Fax: 423-727-2663 website | facebook ​