As America’s first frontier, Northeast Tennessee and Johnson City are the origin story for Tennessee state history.

These stories and more are featured at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. Guests can walk around this pre-Civil War site and learn about the historically significant Battle of the Lost State of Franklin, which impacted both Tennessee and American history.

The site includes 45 acres, eleven historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly cemetery, a limestone cave, a natural spring, a buffalo trace, a nature trail, and a Visitor Center. The Visitor Center contains a permanent exhibit, museum store, educational spaces, a library, and archives.

FUN FACT: Col. Lee Roy Reeves, a native of Johnson City, was the designer of the Tennessee State Flag and is buried today in Downtown Johnson City at Oak Hill Cemetery. After Lee Roy’s design was approved by state legislatures, our Tri-star flag was first flown in Johnson City!