Watauga Lake Winery 1/12 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, December 11 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom Johnson County Courthouse Download Public Notice Download Agenda Packet ​ Budget Committee Meeting Thursday, December 21 at 6:00pm Download Public Notic ​ Johnson County Commission Thursday, December 21 at 7:00pm Upper Courtroom Johnson County Courthouse Download Public Notice Agenda & Meeting Packet to follow UPCOMING EVENTS Festival of Trees Runs through December 22, 2023 Johnson County Welcome Center Vote for your favorite tree. FREE event. Christmas Display Contest Downtown Mountain City People's Choice - Vote here. Contest ends December 20 Music City Christmas Friday, December 8 @ 7:00pm Heritage Hall Theatre - Mountain City Shady Valley Tour of Homes Saturday, December 9 @ 11:00am Shady Rock School Pictures with Santa Saturday, December 9 @ 1:00pm Barks & Bubbles in Mountain City Donations benefit Rescue Dog Mountain Ear Jam Thursday, December 14 @ 6:00pm Johnson County Welcome Center - Mountain City (Lower Level) Kody Norris Christmas Show Tuesday, December 19 @ 7:00pm Frist Christian Church Life Center Mountain City submit event | calendar of events Follow Johnson County Government Featured COMMUNITY POST

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 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 ​ 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 ​ 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 HOLLER HIDEAWAY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ HOLLER HOMESTEAD AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website ​ IRON MOUNTAIN INN B&B 175 Moreland Drive Butler, TN 37640 423-768-2446 email THE LITTLE BLUE HOUSE AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 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 ​ 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 ​ 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 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

About Johnson County, Tennessee Hello Johnson County is a small rural community located in northeast Tennessee in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Our history is rooted in rural America farming followed by mills, timber and manganese mining. Our way of life is based in our southern Appalachia culture. We have a long musical heritage in Traditional Appalachian Music, and to this day, we have an annual Old time Fiddlers Convention celebrating our musical history. Rich in natural resources, we strive to protect and preserve, along with our culture and musical heritage. Our location and many protected natural resources make us an adventure paradise, attracting tourism and early retirees. Our county borders areas of two other states with thriving tourism markets, with the NC High Country to the southeast and Damascus, Virginia to the northwest. We are experiencing economic growth in our business sectors, tourism industry and real estate market. This growth is providing some good business opportunities in our area of northeast Tennessee. ​ We are focused on community development to help drive our economic development. Our county services are continually expanding to meet the needs of our residents and those visitors who come to experience our culture and way of life. You are welcome in Johnson County, today, tomorrow or for a lifetime. ​ Visit the Fiddlin' Fred Price statue at the Johnson County Center for the Arts Center located 127 College Street in beautiful Mountain City!

Johnson County Mayor Mr. Larry Potter Johnson County Courthouse 222 West Main Street | Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-9696 County Mission Statement Our Mission is to set forth the means for a high quality of life, provide a safe environment for raising a family or a comfortable place for retirement. Message From the Mayor I will strive to provide an office of efficient fiscal responsibility while promoting meaningful opportunities for all stakeholders.

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 Mr. Dustin Shearin Ms. Tammie Fenner Mrs. Freida Gwinn Mrs. Sheila Caldwell Mr. Russell Robinson Ryan Carroll, County Attorney Judge Julie Canter Mr. Jerry Gentry Ms. Jenny Johnson Manuel 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 Mr. Dustin Shearin Ms. Robin Wilson SAFETY SOLID WASTE Mr. Jerry Gentry Mrs. Megan McEwen Mr. Brian Taylor Mr. Lester Dunn Mayor Larry Potter

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Johnson County's Community Health Assessment is Live! The Johnson County Health Assessment is currently being conducted by the Johnson County Health Council. We want to better understand the big-ticket health issues facing the residents of Johnson County. If you are a resident of Johnson County, please consider taking a few minutes to take part in the survey. Also please share it with your organization, patients, customers, family, and friends. If you are interested in conducting a focus group or key stakeholder interview, please contact Tyler at tyler.wright@tn.gov . ​ Below you will find the community survey. The survey is in a digital format as well as paper. Feel free to send the digital survey to whoever you would like, just ensure that only Johnson County residents are participating in the survey. You may also print the survey through the PDF linked below. All paper surveys can be dropped off at the Johnson County Health Department. The Health Assessment process will last until September 30th. ​ Digital Survey Links: English Spanish ​ PDF Paper Surveys: English - Click Here Spanish - Click Here ​ Johnson County Health Department Caroline Chinouth, Johnson & Carter County Director Caroline.Chinouth@tn.gov Office Phone: (423) 727-9731 Johnson County Health Department 715 West Main Street Mountain City, TN 37683 Services of the Johnson County Health Department include: WIC (Women Infants and Children) supplemental nutrition program, EPSD&T “well child” screenings (Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnostic, & Treatment), vital records (birth and death certificates), dental health services, environmental health, health promotion, immunizations, nutrition education, Family Planning, breast and cervical cancer screening program, pregnancy testing, home visiting and case management, Phenylketonuria (PKU)/newborn screenings, communicable disease services, HIV testing and counseling, and sexually transmitted disease program. For more information about services offered by the Johnson County Health Department, or to schedule an appointment, call 727-9731.

We are historic Johnson County, located in northeast Tennessee. Our county seat is in Mountain City, where most of our operations and services are situated. We are a designated Three Star Community and strive for excellence in community development. Our history and Appalachian culture is rooted in rural America farming which was followed by mills, timber and mining. ​ We are mountain and lake country with beautiful natural resources that we have protected for the benefit of our residents and those who visit our area. These natural resources have helped our county to become a family vacation destination and a desirable place to live, so we are experiencing growth in our tourism, business and real estate sectors. There are tremendous opportunities to grow and develop your business here in Johnson County, while enjoying a good quality of life. Johnson County Properties There are currently no county properties available for lease. Johnson County Organized Camps (aka Campgrounds) Regulations The Tennessee Division of Environmental Health is responsible for the inspection of organized camps. For more details, please go to https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/eh-program/eh-camps.html Johnson County - Fair Housing Johnson County is committed to affirmatively furthering Fair Housing through raising awareness of Fair Housing Law and the requirement that all citizens are treated fairly in all housing matters, including buying or renting, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability for family size. If you believe you are a victim of housing discrimination, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing to file a complaint or call HUD’s housing discrimination hotline 1-800-669-9777. Johnson County Subdivision Regulations As amended through October 18, 2012. Download PDF version here . Johnson County Commission Districts, School Board/Constable Districts & Precinct Maps Download PDF version here. Johnson County Map The only incorporated municipality is Mountain City which also serves as the county seat.

Volunteer Fire Departments Dial 911 for Emergencies Doe Valley Volunteer Fire Department 283 Slabtown Road Mountain City, TN 37683 Dry Run Volunteer Fire Department 5646 Big Dry Run Road Butler, TN 37640 First District Volunteer Fire Department 7176 Highway 91 North Laurel Bloomery, TN 37683 Neva Volunteer Fire Department 3530 Roan Creek Road Mountain City, TN 37683 Second District Volunteer Fire Department 1642 Cold Springs Road Mountain City, TN 37683 Shady Valley Volunteer Fire Department 10114 Highway 421 Shady Valley, 37688 Trade Volunteer Fire Department 125 Fire Department Lane Trade, TN 37691

Johnson County Sheriff 216 Honeysuckle St. Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-7761 Fax: 423-727-5794 Email: sheriffcw@johnsoncountysd.org Visit Website

History of Johnson County In 1761, Daniel Boone came through the area that is now Johnson County. There were two early settlements in the area in the late 1760’s and the 1770’s. One settlement was known as “The Trade Gap”, which was a trading post for Indians and traders, in the south east side of the county. This community is now known as Trade . The other early settlement was on Roane Creek, near the confluence with the Watauga River. Other settlements were made soon after further up Roane Creek and on Little Doe. The organization of Johnson County took place in 1836 and was named for Thomas Johnson, a leading citizen of Carter County and an early settler on the Doe River. Johnson County was created from parts of Carter County, because of the long distance to travel to the county seat in Elizabethton. The first session of the county court was begun and held at the Pleasant Grove School House on May 2, 1836. In October of 1836, the county commissioners were given authority to contract for the building of a court house. It took about a year to complete the structure. Two years later the jail was completed. In 1836, the county seat was originally named Taylorsville in honor of Colonel James Taylor. The name was changed to Mountain City in the 1885, to reflect it being in one of the highest valleys in Tennessee. Because the county was so remote, the railroads did not reach the area until the early 1900’s. The arrival of the railroads greatly influenced the development of the timber and manganese mining industries. ​ Learn more about our rich heritage by visiting the Johnson County Museum in Mountain City and the Museum of Butler !

Johnson County Airport 611 Airport Rd. Mountain City, Tennessee 37683 Phone: (423)727-1223 Dave Garris, Manager Longstanding Member of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Member of AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) Member of TAA (Tennessee Aviation Association) Johnson County Airport is classified as a public use general aviation facility featuring an 4,498 foot x 75 foot paved runway. Fully furnished Fixed Base Operations office complete with rental and courtesy car, fuel, and pilot supplies.

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.