Johnson County TN is a mountain and lake country with many types of outdoor recreation and adventures. 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 is a small rural community located in northeast Tennessee in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. 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!

The Johnson County Purchasing Department is maintaining a registry of vendors who have expressed an interest in doing business with the Johnson County Government. SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR SALE ON GOVDEALS.COM County Government Surplus Items Highway Department Surplus Items Sheriff’s Department Surplus Items Open RFQ A&E Services County Purchasing Manual Click Here to View Open Solicitations Listing on Vendor Registry INVITATION TO BID - download Qualified state-licensed general contractors are invited to participate in the bidding phase for the following Nine (9) residential projects through the First Tennessee Development District: • Demolition and Reconstruction of Three (3) Homes under the Carter County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery Grant Housing program. • Demolition and Reconstruction of Two (2) Homes under the Johnson County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery Grant Housing Program. • Manufactured HOME Replacement of One (1) Home under the Johnson County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery Grant Housing Program. • Emergency Repairs of Three (3) Homes under First Tennessee Development Districts – THDA ERP Grant program. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, at 9:00 am. The conference will be held at the First Tennessee Development District, 3211 N Roan St, Johnson City, Tennessee. For initial instructions, bid documents and questions please contact Rene’ Mann at 423-268-2677. All state-licensed general contractors wishing to participate in bidding on the projects under the Carter County and Johnson County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery programs are strongly encouraged to attend this pre-bid conference. The contractor shall follow Federal requirements as set forth in 24 CFR 5.105(a) Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity, including: Section 3 of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968 24 CFR 135 (12 U.S.C. 1701u) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 135, as amended. Carter County, Tennessee, Johnson County, Tennessee, and the First Tennessee Development District are Equal Opportunity Employers and urge the participation of minority and female contractors. Johnson County Purchasing Department Troy Arnold, Purchasing Agent 211 North Church Street | Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-7861 | Fax: 423-727-7418 Email: purchasing@johnsoncountytn.gov Vendor Registration – Click Here The Johnson County Purchasing Department is maintaining a registry of vendors who have expressed an interest in doing business with the Johnson County Government. If you would like to add your business to this registry, please complete registration by clicking on the link above and follow the instructions. As needs arise for a particular product or service, the purchasing department uses this registry as one of several sources to find potential suppliers. Please note that the Johnson County Purchasing Department cannot guarantee that this registry will be utilized or that any vendor will be notified of every solicitation for quotes, bids, or proposals for which it wishes to compete. Public Notice advertisements for formal bids and proposals are placed within The Tomahawk newspaper of Mountain City, TN at minimum 2-weeks prior to the scheduled response deadline. PROTEST PROCEDURE Any protest concerning the award of any bid or proposal shall be addressed to the Johnson County, TN Purchasing Agent. Protest shall be made in writing to the Purchasing Agent and shall be filed within five (5) business days after the intended award is announced. A protest is considered filed when received by the Purchasing Agent and written confirmation is given back to the protester. The written protest shall include the name and address of the protester, identification of the procurement, a statement of the specific reasons for the protest and supporting exhibits. The submitted information will be reviewed with the appropriate Department Head and County Attorney to render a final decision and a formal response provided within five days. This decision relative to the protest shall be considered final.

Johnson County is home to many great protected natural resources which have driven the growth in our Tourism sector. We are known as mountain and lake country, since our county consists of four mountains, three valleys and one big lake. Johnson County Tourism This is a great time to become part of the growing Tourism market in Johnson County. Please visit our new Tourism Website and follow us on our Facebook page ! Local and community events will continue to be promoted, for FREE, on this website. Have questions? Email us ! Thinking of establishing a campground or RV park in Johnson County? Find out what you need to do before you start! The Johnson County contact person for TN Campground Regulations and permits, including primitive campgrounds is: Grayson Krtausch Grayson.krtausch@tn.gov 423.279.1616 Johnson County is blessed with an abundance of protected natural resources that continue to fuel the growth of our tourism economy. Known as “mountain and lake country,” our landscape is defined by four mountains, three valleys, and one spectacular lake — creating a setting that is both scenic and adventure-ready. Visitors and residents alike enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, camping, ATV riding, and motorcycle touring. From the pristine waters of Watauga Lake to the expansive trails of Doe Mountain Recreation Area, our goal is to preserve, protect, and promote these natural treasures for generations to come. Johnson County is also proudly recognized as the birthplace of Bluegrass music — a heritage that continues to shape our cultural identity today. Take a stroll through beautiful downtown Mountain City, where a series of vibrant murals tell the story of our rich musical legacy. Pick up a walking tour map on the front porch of the Johnson County Center for the Arts, or download a printable PDF to begin exploring at your own pace. Our signature attractions include Watauga Lake, a pristine mountain lake known for boating, fishing, paddling, and a wide variety of water sports, and the Doe Mountain Recreation Area, offering 8,600 acres of scenic mountain terrain with multi-use adventure trails for off-road vehicles, hiking, and outdoor exploration. We are also home to The Snake 421, one of the region’s premier motorcycle and sports car touring routes, featuring thrilling curves and breathtaking Appalachian views. Johnson County is proudly designated as part of an American Viticultural Area (AVA), recognizing our region’s unique geographic and climate characteristics ideal for producing high-quality wine grapes. This designation supports continued growth of our local wine industry, highlighted by a beautiful vineyard that supplies exceptional grapes to two area wineries and strengthens our emerging agritourism economy.

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. 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

Explore the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains Tennessee; discover attractions, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities. Johnson County Attractions Nestled in the scenic Appalachian Highlands, Johnson County, Tennessee offers a blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the crystal-clear waters of Watauga Lake, hike or ride the trails at Doe Mountain Recreation Area, or take a drive along The Snake, a famed route for motorcyclists. Charming Mountain City boasts unique shops, local dining, and the Musical Heritage Mural Mile, celebrating the area’s deep roots in old-time and bluegrass music. History lovers can visit the Museum of Butler to learn about the “Town That Wouldn’t Drown,” while nearby vineyards, farm markets, and seasonal festivals make Johnson County a year-round destination 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! 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. Johnson County Welcome Center Open Monday-Friday only. 716 S Shady St, Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-5800 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. BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND AND PAVILIONS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO EFFECTS FROM HELENE. 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 SHADY VALLEY FESITVAL OF QUILTS APRIL MOUNTAIN CITY SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL JULY LONG JOURNEY HOME LABOR DAY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER COPPERHEAD ROAD MUSIC FEST TBA OLD BUTLER DAYS SELMA CURTIS PARK AUGUST TRADE MILL DAYS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED TBA MOUNTAIN CITY FIDDLERS CONVENTION OCTOBER CRANBERRY FESTIVAL SHADY ROCK SCHOOL OCTOBER CHRISTMAS ON MAIN FIRST SATURDAY DECEMBER

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 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.

Food Stamp; Families First; Child Care Certificate; Medicaid; and TennCare for Johnson County TN Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Johnson County Department of Human Services Dist. 1, Cty. #46 370 Cold Springs Road Mountain City, Tennessee 37683-4022 Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Phone: (423) 727-7704 FAX: (423) 727-4404 FIELD MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR 1 - Colene Conover Services: Food Stamp; Families First; Child Care Certificate; Medicaid; and TennCare - Click here for more information and to apply.

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. This directory connects with services and resources available in the county. 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

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. 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 !

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. JOHNSON COUNTY ARCHIVED COMMISSION DOCUMENTS All documents are in PDF format and require a viewer to open the file. 2023 PUBLIC NOTICES & AGENDAS PUBLIC NOTICE: Planning Commission Meeting - Monday, January 9, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Quarterly Commission Meeting - Thursday, January 19, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Accounts & Budget Committee Meeting - Thursday, January 19, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Quarterly County Commission Meeting - Thursday, January 19, 2023 MEETING AGENDA: Commission Meeting Quarterly Agenda - January 19 , 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Accounts & Budget Committee Meeting - Thursday, February 16, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: County Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 16, 2023 MEETING AGENDA: Commission Meeting Agenda - Thursday, February 16, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE/AGENDA: Special-Called Commission Meeting - Thursday, March 2, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Public Records Commission Meeting - Wednesday, March 15, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Budget Meeting - Thursday, March 16, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: County Commission Meeting - Thursday, March 16, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Court Security Committee - Monday, March 27, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Planning Commission Meeting - Monday, April 17, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Budget Meeting - Thursday, April 20, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Quarterly County Commission Meeting - Thursday, April 20, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Joint ECD Committee Meeting - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Budget Committee Meetings : Mondays: May 8, 15 & 22, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Beer Commission Meetin g - Monday, May 8, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Planning Commission Meeting - Monday. May 8, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Solid Waste Committee Meeting - Thursday, May 11, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE/AGENDA: Special Called Meeting - Thursday, May 11, 2023 AGENDA PACKET: County Commission Meeting - Thursday, May 18. 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Beer Commission Meetin g - Tuesday, May 30, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE: Public Safety Committee Meeting - Tuesday, June 6, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA : Joint ECD Committee Meeting - Wednesday, June 7, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA : JC Planning Commission Meeting - Monday, June 12, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA : County Commission Meeting: Thursday, June 15, 2023 AMENDED AGENDA: County Commission Meeting: Thursday, June 15, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE : Beer Commission Meeting: Monday, July 3, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA: Budget Committee: Monday, July 10, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA: Special Called Meeting: Monday, July 10, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA : Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA : County Commission Meeting: Thursday, July 20, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting Thursday, 8/17/23 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA PACKET : Budget & Commission Meetings, Thursday, 9/21/23 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA PACKET : Budget & Commission Meetings, Thursday, 10/19/23 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING : To appoint Interim Sheriff - Monday, October 23, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA PACKET : Commission Meetings, Thursday, 11/16/23 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA: Planning Commission Meeting, Monday, 12/11/2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA : Joint ECD Meeting, Wednesday, 12/20/2023 PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA: Budget & County Commission Meeting, Thursday, 12/21/2023 MONTHLY COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 2022 August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 December 2022 January 2023 February 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 SPECIAL MEETING May 2023 June & July 2023 August 2023 September 2023 October 2023 November 2023 December 2023 Find 2024 records here. Please note that previous years predate the launch of the website and are not available electronically.

Johnson County is the northeastern most county in Tennessee, sharing borders with Virginia and North Carolina. Communities are Mountain City, Butler, Cold Springs, Doe Valley, Dry Run, Forge Creek, Shouns, Laurel Bloomery, Shady Valley and Trade. 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 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. 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. The Mountain City Fiddlers' Convention returned to the historic Heritage Hall Theatre in 2023 and is now produced by the renowned Bluegrass band, The Kody Norris Show. 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. Sadly, due to the destruction from Hurricane Helene in 2024, the Trade Days and Native American Heritage Festival has been supended until further notice.