This is a beautiful and very well-maintained courthouse. Jonesborough is the oldest town in the state and the history shows through the narrow streets here and the limited parking. Locals refer to the building as the "Taj Mahal of Washington County." Yes, the county is named for George Washington. The original log courthouse was built in 1779 and it was here that General John Sevier and other pioneers began organizing the "State of Franklin" that would have been independent of North Carolina. Although the State of Franklin ultimately failed to gain Congressional recognition, its legacy lives on in the courthouse's symbolic role as a cradle of Tennessee's frontier governance. The current courthouse was completed in 1913 and is in the Classical Revival Style with a red brick façade, four white Ionic columns, a balustrade, and a clock-topped cupola. It is built on the same site as the earlier structures. The original Brazilian mahogany doors have since been replaced. Bummer. Parking here is a challenge and I have no advice on that topic. We were here on a day the court and most of downtown was closed so a street space was possible. [Review 637 of 2025 - 576 in Tennessee - 24198 overall] read more

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