2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

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2 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Table of CONTENTS 04 Downtown Johnson City 07 Historic Jonesborough 08 East Tennessee State University 09 Neighboring Colleges 11 Johnson City Schools 12 Washington County Schools 14 Washington County Festivals 2021 16 Ballad Health 19 VA Medical Center FACT 20 Historic Sites BOOK Transportation WASHINGTON COUNTY, 22 TENNESSEE

24 Outdoor Recreation Published by Johnson City Press / Six Rivers Media, LLC Stats & Facts – Local Statistics 26 Rick Thomason, Publisher

28 Bristol Motor Speedway 204 W Main St, Johnson City, TN 37604 423-929-3111 30 Sports Facilities www.johnsoncitypress.com

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 3 Both of downtown’s Downtown historic train depots have been renovated Johnson City into White Duck Taco Company and Yee- Haw Brewing Company.

Founders Park in Downtown Johnson City. Dee Browning / Shutterstock.com Vibrant and new, yet still full of history.

Downtown Johnson City has come venue for other gatherings. New businesses continue to pop up a long way in recent years. Both of downtown’s historic in the city’s downtown area. In recent The city’s flooding mitigation train depots have been renovated years, developers have also taken an projects have made downtown for business purposes. The old interest in revitalizing several of the more friendly to both visitors and ET&WNC Depot houses both White area’s vacant buildings. businesses. Two heavily used parks, Duck Taco Company and Yee- Buildings on North Commerce Founders and King Commons, were Haw Brewing Company. The latter Street have been repurposed for created in the process, contributing distributes its craft beers in several top floor apartments, and are to Johnson City’s way of life. states and has grown with new being refurbished downstairs for Founders also includes a pavilion locations around the state. The commercial tenants. Developers also that houses the Johnson City former CC&O Depot includes both recently finished work on the Henry Farmers Market and serves as a retail and restaurant space. on Main, a multi-use project housed

4 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Serving patients in our region since 1998

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in several downtown buildings along and selling the 10-story building to Pavilion at Founders Park and King Main Street. The project has resulted a developer. Commons Park. in two new businesses opening in the In the interest of attracting and Johnson City has also made downtown area: Vibes Nails & Lotion keeping people downtown, Johnson an effort to spruce up its public Bar and Flashback Heat, spaces, approving a a vintage clothing store. laxer policy on murals Restaurateur Rafael in the downtown Zabala and his business historic district that partner Martin Bagwell has allowed new works are planning on opening of art to spring up on a new restaurant serving various walls in the Latin American and downtown core. Asian food, Juan Siao, The artist Daas at 104 Tipton Street. recently finished work The establishment on a mural at 73 Buffalo will open in a newly Street depicting three constructed building that crews are aiming to children of different finish in March 2021. races planting flowers. The Johnson City The City Commission Development Authority also approved a also officially purchased the John City recently launched a free Wi-Fi contract with artist Bill Bledsoe in Sevier Center in late 2019. Over the service over the summer. This will September to retouch a fading mural long-term, the organization plans on allow visitors to access the internet in Majestic Park called “Highway relocating the subsidized housing on the 200 and 300 blocks of East Runs Through It.” Bledsoe was the complex’s roughly 150 residents Main Street, Founders Park, the mural’s original artist.

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6 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Jonesborough Historic is Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough founded nearly two decades before Tennessee became a state.

Main Street in Historic Downtown Jonesborough. Johnson City Press Experience unique and charming

Historic Jonesborough is a County’s county seat. Jonesborough is also home to quaint little tourist town nestled in As the state’s oldest town, it’s also the International Storytelling Center, Washington County — a town known one of the most historic. In 1969, a which hosts the annual National for festivals, local shops and a large portion of the town, dubbed the Storytelling Festival. The National charming small town feel. “Jonesboro Historic District” was Storytelling Festival began in 1973. Home to about 6,000 people, placed on the National Register of It attracts thousands of visitors each Jonesborough is Tennessee’s Historic Places — including all of the year and is the town’s largest festival. oldest town, having been founded in town’s downtown Main Street. It was It is one the nation’s and the world’s 1779 — nearly two decades before where the first abolitionist periodical, premier storytelling festivals. Tennessee became a state. It was “The Emancipator,” was published. also briefly the capital of the State of Nowadays, the town’s Main Street In addition to the Storytelling Franklin, which was an autonomous is home to a number of shops and Festival and Jonesborough Days, state that survived from 1784 to businesses, places where you can Jonesborough is also supported by a 1788 before being reclaimed by find anything from antiques to number of smaller festivals scattered North Carolina. It is now Washington holiday gifts and a bite to eat. throughout the year.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 7 ETSU East Tennessee health science programs have been consistently State University ranked among the top health schools in U.S. News and World Report.

The new James C. and Mary B. Martin Center for the Arts. Contributed by ETSU Martin Center More opportunities than ever before

East Tennessee State University Colleges and schools: In recent years, the university’s is a 350-acre campus in Johnson • Clemmer College of Education main campus has experienced a lot City founded in 1911 to improve the • College of Arts and Sciences of growth in terms of capital projects. quality of life for people in the region. • College of Business and The university recently completed a It has satellite campuses in Kingsport, Technology new $53 million Martin Center for the Elizabethton and Sevierville. • College of Clinical and Arts, the $45 million renovation of the The university was originally founded Rehabilitative Health Sciences D.P. Culp University Center. primarily as a teacher’s college. Today, • College of Nursing In 2019, the university established ETSU is continually growing with new • College of Public Health a Center for Rural Health Research academic programs and expanding • Gatton College of Pharmacy following the opening of a new facilities. The university is currently • Honors College Interprofessional Education and divided into 10 colleges and schools • Quillen College of Medicine Research Center for health sciences and offers over 160 bachelor’s, • School of Continuing Studies students and faculty. ETSU leadership master’s and doctorate degrees for and Academic Outreach also hopes to secure state funding for over 14,400 students. • School of Graduate Studies a new state-of-the-art $71.8 million

8 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY humanities facility in the coming years. The institution is noted as a health • Health Professions sciences center in the region and Neighboring • Humanities recently consolidated all five health • Mathematics science colleges into ETSU Health to Colleges Science bolster research and clinical efforts • Technologies in the region. Its health science Northeast State • programs in the Quillen College of Northeast State Community For more information, visit Medicine and College of Nursing have College is a comprehensive two- www.northeaststate.edu. been consistently ranked among the year community college under top health schools in U.S. News and the governance of the Tennessee World Report. Board of Regents of the State King University ETSU is ranked among the top 10 University and Community King University was founded institutions with a Military Friendly College System of Tennessee. as King College in 1867 but School designation, with more than later grew into the doctoral-level 760 military-affiliated students. It The college provides: university it is today. In addition ranks 24th among Best Colleges for • University parallel programs to its 135-acre campus in Bristol, Students With Disabilities. Its digital designed for students Tennessee, the Presbyterian media program was recently ranked desiring to transfer to another university offers classes at first in the state. college or university. Kingsport’s Academic Village, • Career programs for students its Knoxville campus and at 10 ETSU recently planning to enter the instructional sites. Classes are boasted a record- workforce immediately upon also held online. graduation. breaking 78% • Continuing education and King’s College and school retention rate community service programs structure are: between fall 2019 for professional growth and • College of Arts and Sciences personal enrichment. • Peake School of Christian and fall 2020 and Mission awarded nearly Along with the primary campus • Digital Media and Art Design 3,800 degrees Blountville, Northeast State • Psychology has sites in Elizabethton, Gray, • School of Health and Kingsport and Johnson City. in the 2019-2020 Professional Sciences The Johnson City campus is academic year. • School of Business, located in the heart of downtown, Economics and Technology at Buffalo and West Market The institution has over 250 student • Information Technology streets, and provides access organizations for students to get School of Nursing to students from Washington, • involved in. More than 7,600 students • School of Education are currently involved in these groups. Carter, and Unicoi Counties. The university also established a new Course offerings include King University is located at e-sports team in 2020 to compete English, Spanish, economics, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, with other colleges and universities in mathematics, communications, competitive video gaming. humanities, sciences accounting, TN 37620 The campus hopes to grow psychology and more. For more information, visit enrollment to 18,000 by 2024 as part Northeast State currently www.king.edu. of its strategic plan, which includes enrolls approximately 5,500 goals such as enrolling 3,500 out-of- students and has 150 programs Milligan University state students, raising the graduation of study. For over 150 years, Milligan rate by 16 percent to 60 percent, University has educated men attracting 12,000 freshmen with The academic divisions are: and women to lead and to serve average ACT scores of 24 and housing • Behavioral and Social through a Christ-centered liberal 3,500 students on campus. Sciences arts education. For more information, visit their website at www.etsu.edu.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 9 On a beautiful 235-acre campus, Tusculum University named 14th in the nation by Milligan offers more than 100 Building on a rich Presbyterian study.com in a listing of the Best majors and minors, along with heritage and a pioneering spirit, Online Education & Teaching graduate and adult degree Tusculum University provides an Degree Programs. completion programs. With an “experiential education within a The wooded 140-acre enrollment of over 1,300 students, caring Christian environment to Greeneville campus has nine a Milligan education emphasizes inspire civic engagement, enrich buildings and the Tusculum Arch scholarship, community, and faith. personal lives and equip career- that are listed on the National ready professionals.” Register of Historic Places. Milligan’s academic schools Tusculum is the first higher include: education institution in Tennessee The university’s structure is as • School of Arts & Humanities and the 28th oldest in the nation. follows: • School of Bible & Ministry Students are enrolled on the main • College of Business • William B. Greene, Jr. School campus in Greeneville, at centers • College of Civic and Liberal of Business & Technology in Knoxville and Morristown and in Arts • School of Sciences & Allied online programs. • College of Education Health Tusculum offers associate, • College of Nursing and • School of Social Sciences & bachelor’s and master’s degrees. College of Science, Education Its College of Business has been Technology and Math. nationally ranked multiple times For more information, visit in recent years by websites, and For more information, visit www.milligan.edu. the College of Education was www.tusculum.edu.

10 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Johnson City Johnson City Schools

Ranked Cherokee Elementary School Schools 2100 Cherokee Road among the Phone: 423-434-5281 top systems Grades pre-K through 4

in the state Fairmont Elementary School 1405 Lester Harris Road Phone: 423-434-5275 Grades pre-K through 4

Lake Ridge Elementary School 1001 Lake Ridge Square Phone: 423-610-6030 Grades K through 4

Mountain View Elementary School 907 King Springs Road Phone: 423-434-5260 Grades pre K through 4

North Side Elementary School 1000 North Roan Street Phone: 423-434-5249 Grades pre-K through 4

South Side Elementary School 1011 Southwest Avenue Phone: 423-434-5290 Grades pre- K through 4

Science Hill High School Class of 2019. Johnson City Press Towne Acres Elementary School 2310 Larkspur Drive Phone: 423-854-4800 Expect the best from JCS Grades K through 4

Johnson City Schools serves more including the new Liberty Bell gym Woodland Elementary School 2303 Indian Ridge Road than 8,000 students in grades pre-k and cafeteria, which was completed Phone: 423-434-5267 through 12 and employs about 1,000 in October 2020. The district is also Grades Pre-K through 4 teachers and staff. working on renovation plans for The district, made up of 11 schools, Woodland, South Side and Lake Ridge Indian Trail Intermediate School has consistently ranked among the top Elementary schools. 307 Car-Mol Dr. systems in the state in U.S. News and The 2020-21 school year begins in Phone: 423-610-6000 World Report and educates a diverse August. Students can enroll based Grades 5-6 student body in which more than 60 on their place of residence. Parents Liberty Bell Middle School languages are spoken. will need to provide the child’s birth 718 Morningside Dr. Johnson City Schools recently certificate, social security card Phone: 423-232-2192 reconfigured its grade system and and proof of immunization. For Grades 7-8 is set to return fifth-graders to more information on the district or elementary schools and create two enrollment, visit www.jcschools. Science Hill High School new middle schools out of Liberty Bell org or call the Johnson City Schools 1509 John Exum Pkwy. and Indian Trail in 2022. As part of Central Office at 423-434-5200. The Phone: 423-232-2192 Grades 9-12 this transition, the district set out to office is located at 100 E. Maple Street, complete a number of capital projects, Johnson City, TN 37601.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 11 Washington Fall Branch Elementary School Ridgeview Elementary School Grades K-8 Grades K-8 County Schools 1061 Highway 93 252 Sam Jenkins Road Fall Branch, TN 37656 Gray, TN 37615 The county school system’s (423) 348-1200 (423) 788-7340 (423) 348-1207 fax central office is located at 405 W (423) 788-7348 fax Hours: 8:10 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. College St., Jonesborough. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Principal: Dr. James Wernke Principal: Leslie Lyons Dr. William R. Flanary serves as www.wcde.org/fbs the director of schools. www.wcde.org/rves The system is comprised of 16 Grandview Elementary School schools that serve pre-K through Grades pre-K-8 South Central Elementary School 12th grades. It enrolls more than 2891 Highway 11E Grades K-8 9,055 students, and employs a Telford, TN 37690 2955 Highway 107 Chuckey, TN 37641 staff of 580 teachers. (423) 257-7400 (423) 257-7401 fax (423) 753-1135 Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (423) 753-1135 fax Asbury Optional High School Principal: Tara Churchwell Hours: 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Grades 9-12 www.wcde.org/gves Principal: J.W. McKinney 2002 Indian Ridge Road www.wcde.org/sces Johnson City, TN 37604 Gray Elementary School Grades pre-K-8 (423) 434-4900 Sulphur Springs Elementary 755 Gray Station Road (423) 434-4900 fax School Gray, TN 37615 Hours: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Grades K-8 Principal: Jamie Gray (423) 477-1640 (423) 477-1644 fax 1518 Gray/Sulphur Springs Road www.wcde.org/aohs Hours: 8:35 a.m. - 3:35 p.m. Jonesborough, TN 37659 Principal: Shannon Gray (423) 753-1140 Boones Creek Elementary www.wcde.org/ges (423) 753-1146 fax School Hours: 7:35 a.m. - 2:35 p.m. Grades K-8 Jonesborough Elementary Principal: Cody Patterson 132 Highland Church Road School www.wcde.org/sses Johnson City, TN 37615 Grades K-4 (423) 850-8580 306 Forest Drive West View Elementary School Jonesborough, TN 37659 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Grades K-8 (423) 753-1180 2847 Old State Route 34, Principal: Jordan Hughes (423) 753-1181 fax Limestone, TN 37681 www.wcde.org/bces Hours: 7:50 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. (423) 753-1175 Principal: Matt Combs Daniel Boone High School www.wcde.org/jes (423) 753-1583 fax Grades 9-12 Hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1440 Suncrest Drive Jonesborough Middle School Principal: Robin Street www.wcde.org/wves Gray, TN 37615 Grades 5-8 (423) 477-1600 308 Forest Drive Jonesborough, TN 37659 New Jonesborough K-8 (423) 477-1625 fax (423) 753-1190 Washington County Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. (423) 753-1570 fax commissioners have signed Principal: Tim Campbell Hours: 7:50 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. a contract with the town of www.wcde.org/dbhs Principal: Brandon McKee Jonesborough to spend no more www.wcde.org/jms than $32.75 million for the town David Crockett High School to build a K-8 county school and Lamar Elementary School Grades 9-12 sports complex on a site off 684 Old State Rt 34 Grades Pre-K-8 3261 Highway 81 South North Cherokee Street near the Jonesborough, TN 37659 Jonesborough, TN 37659 George P. Jaynes Justice Center (423) 753-1150 (423) 753-1130 in Jonesborough. (423) 753-1167 fax (423) 753-1134 fax The facility will replace the two Hours: 7:45a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. current Jonesborough schools Principal: Peggy Wright Principal: Mark Merriman when the project is completed www.wcde.org/dchs www.wcde.org/les sometime in 2023.

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2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 13 Events drawing Washington County upwards of 10,000 fans Festivals and guests

A young festival goer learns to Kayak at the Meet the Mountains Festival at Founders Park. Johnson City Press World class music, arts and adventure

Washington County’s annual festival activities and plenty of food and hub that legend says was a regular lineup includes a wide and diverse beverages. Guests are advised to bring stop for the notorious Chicago variety of community celebrations that their lawn chairs and blankets but don’t gangster Al Capone. In addition to live play on the region’s rich heritage of expect to remain seated, as dancing in music, street vendors and fun family music, storytelling and functional arts. the streets breaks out after sunset and activities, the festival showcases The locals revel in the evolution of their continues into the night. On the web: the late 19th early 20th century culture, and in their festivals they share www.blueplum.org. architecture and the shops, restaurants it best with their guests. and bars that occupy many of its Little Chicago Festival refurbished jewels. On the web: Blue Plum Festival Downtown merchants take the www.littlechicagofestival.com. Johnson City’s Blue Plum Festival outdoor celebration of music and is an outdoor arts and music festival arts into the heart of the old city in Meet the Mountains with a little something for everyone. early August with the Little Chicago The vast opportunity for outdoor Centered around performance stages Festival. A tip of the fedora to the recreation in the Southern Appalachian at Founders Park and The Pavilion, city’s prohibition era heyday when the Highlands is at its peak during the third the June festival takes on a lawn party junctions of three major rail lines and week of August when the Meet the atmosphere by day with carnival rides, several upscale hotels put the city on Mountains Festival rolls into Johnson arts and crafts vendors, children’s the map as a vibrant transportation City with an education showcase of all

14 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY the fun to be had in the surrounding National Storytelling Founders Park. A ticketed event, the mountains, rivers and streams. The Festival festival highlights beers from craft festival highlights the region’s natural Held annually on the first week breweries and area home brewers from assets and conduciveness to a healthy, of October for nearly five decades, across the region who come together active lifestyle by allowing guests a the National Storytelling Festival is annually for what they consider to be chance to experience rock climbing, a a source of great acclaim for the a brewers’ family reunion. Throw in a ropes course, paddling, cycling, disc little town of Jonesborough. A draw brewing competition, some live music golf and more. While centered on the for upwards of 10,000 storytelling and food from a few of the city’s most popular eateries and the festival’s great lawn at Founders Park, many of fans who flock into Northeast reputation as a beer lovers’ favorite the festival’s activities take place off Tennessee from across the country is little wonder. It’s more notable site at adventurous locations including and far corners of the globe, the accolades include ratings among Johnson City’s Tannery Knobs Bike festival features three days of live Beer Yeti Top Five Festival in the US, Park and the awe inspiring Roan performances by some of the world’s a Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine Top Mountain State park in neighboring most acclaimed tellers. Professional 50 Festival listing and a spot among Carter County. On the web: performances are held under big-top tents erected throughout Paste Magazine’s Top 7 Oktoberfests www.mtmfest.com. Jonesborough historic district and in the US. Set for April 24, 2021. On the web: thirstyorange.com. Appalachian Fair on stage at the town’s International Storytelling Center on Main Street. The final week in August draws tens Several separately ticketed events Nearby Festivals: of thousands of people to Washington are also featured in the days leading County’s rural Gray community for up to the festival. On the web: Fun Fest a premier regional fair that this year storytellingcenter.net. Held each summer in neighboring will play out in its 95th season. It’s a Kingsport, Fun Fest features more than week long affair featuring competitive Brews and Tunes a week-long community celebration livestock shows, agricultural contests, A weekly summer series in featuring a roster of live musical beauty competitions, farm and home Tennessee’s oldest town, Brews performances, sporting events, games, demonstrations and a star studded and Tunes is a recurring festival food, fireworks, children’s activities concert series held nightly on the fair’s featuring local craft beers and live and more. The festival is Southeast main stage. Founded in 1926, the fair’s music every Sunday afternoon June Tourism Association Top 40 Event next run is set for Aug. 23-28, 2021. On through September along Main Street and a Southeast Festivals and Events the web: www.appalachianfair.com. in historic downtown Jonesborough. Association Kaleidoscope Award The plaza of the town’s International winner. On the web: funfest.net. Umoja Festival Storytelling Center serves as ground zero for the outdoor festival’s Johnson City’s longest-running Rhythm and Roots musicians and beer and many of the festival, the Umoja Festival is a One of the Northeast Tennessee and town’s quaint and inviting shops open celebration of unity of the community’s Southwest Virginia region’s largest up for those who wish to explore the diverse cultures, music, dance, music festivals, the annual Rhythm town’s centuries-old storefronts. A Festival in downtown Bristol features food and entertainment. Organized rotation of some of the region’s most an eclectic variety of more than 100 and hosted by the nonprofit Umoja popular food trucks come out to local and nationally known bands and Arts and Cultural organization, the feed the festival attendees. Featured musicians performing on some 20 23-year-old festival attempts to bridge breweries rotate between many of the stages. Founded in 2001 the festival differences and unify its attendees best Northeast Tennessee, Western rapidly grew from a few thousand through educational and entertaining North Carolina and Southwest Virginia attendees to estimated crowds of presentations of art and heritage. Its have to offer. 40,000 to 45,000 people who travel name is derived from the Swahili word to the city known as the “Birthplace for unity and its underlying goal is to Thirsty Orange of Country Music” from 40 states and bring people together to celebrate their Returning to Johnson City in April, six different countries. Set for Sept. ethnic diversity and a universal love of more than 150 craft beers and ciders 10-12, the festival’s 2021 headliner will life. The festival is held on the streets and upwards of 100 home brews all include Tanya Tucker, Rhonda Vincent, of downtown Johnson City each for the sampling are at the heart of Amythyst Kiah and others. On the web: September. On the web: umojajc.org. Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza at bristolrhythm2021.com.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 15 Ballad employs 15,000 people, Ballad Health making it one of the largest employers in the region.

Johnson City Medical Center. Johnson City Press Committed to wellness in the region

Ballad Health, a health care system facility for children in a family-centered most closures nationwide. Texas tops formed when Mountain States Health environment, and Franklin Woods the pack with 20. Alliance and Wellmont Health System Community Hospital, an acute care 80- In creating Ballad Health, officials merged in 2018, serves 29 counties bed hospital. say the system will be able to generate in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Ballad also operates community savings and reinvest that money Virginia, Northwest North Carolina and hospitals, three critical access into preserving access to care. Southeast Kentucky. hospitals, a behavioral health hospital The system says it has also made The system operates 21 hospitals, and an addiction treatment facility in binding commitments in its governing including three tertiary medical the Appalachian Highlands Region. documents in Tennessee and Virginia centers: Johnson City Medical Center, Ballad employs 15,000 people, to keep hospitals open. Bristol Regional Medical Center and making it one of the largest employers In October 2018, Ballad Health Holston Valley Medical Center. in the region. cut the ribbon for a new $20 million Johnson City Medical Center is a The system is governed by a hospital in rural Unicoi County. 445-bed center and is one of five Level certificate of public advantage in In addition to keeping rural hospitals 1 Trauma Centers in Tennessee. It is Tennessee and a similar document open, Ballad aims to improve health the second hospital built in Tennessee called a cooperative agreement in outcomes through investments in the and acts as a comprehensive, acute Virginia. care teaching hospital affiliated with On its website, Ballad Health region, which suffers from high rates East Tennessee State University. points to two reasons why a merger of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, The facility has a 43-bed intensive was necessary: Rural hospitals are addiction and untreated mental illness. care unit and also operates a leading struggling to remain open and the The system has committed to cancer center, a specialized heart community isn’t as healthy as it invest $308 million over 10 years in center and advanced diagnostic could be. behavioral health, children’s health, imaging services. According to Becker’s Hospital rural health services, health research, Also in Johnson City, Ballad has Review, 120 rural hospitals have workforce development, population Niswonger Children’s Hospital at closed in the past 10 years, including health initiatives and promoting health JCMC, a state-of-the-art medical 13 in Tennessee. That’s the second information exchange.

16 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Caring for people, caring for our world.

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18 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY VA Medical Center More than a century of serving veterans

The James H. Quillen VA Medical Veterans are assigned to primary care Fast Facts: Center has more than a century’s teams at the Mountain Home campus. • JHQVAMC added a DaVinci JHQVAMC enhanced veteran worth of connection to Johnson City, Xi surgical robot for robotic access to care through an affiliation first as a disabled veterans to live out surgeries in Gynecology/ with ETSU College of Medicine and their days and now to a full-fledged Urology/General Surgery. hospital system that serves veterans 79 partnerships and started two new from East Tennessee, Southwest academic affiliations—University of • Expanded Gynecologic services Virginia, and Southeast Kentucky, that Tennessee and Meharry Medical and increased the number consists of 12 sites of care. College. The VA also partnered with of designated women health providers to 30. The Mountain Branch, National Milligan University and added clinical Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers rotations for physician assistant • Strategic protocols have was established in 1901 and saw the students from Milligan University. enhanced MISSION Act first patient in October 1903. compliance and increased The original construction included The JHQVAMC and the footprint in the Western Market. 37 buildings, which included eight VA National Cemetery • Increased usage of telehealth barracks for 2,500 men, a mess hall are co-located on 247 and added specialty service - now the Clock Tower - a four-ward acres, serve 65,000 to some Community Based infirmary, officers/surgeons’ quarters, Outpatient Clinics. administrative building, powerhouse, Veterans and have 2,500 A $2.2 million, 9,600 square laundry, icehouse, hotel, chapel, employees. • foot clinic annex was theatre, bandstand - now the gazebo constructed in 2017. New - a jail, and morgue. Other buildings In addition to providing acute care services were MRI and were added until the project was in 104 hospital beds, JHQVAMC offers Fluoroscopy and 10 state of the completed in 1910. geriatric and rehabilitation services art eye lanes for optometry. In 1921, Mountain Home officially through its 70-bed Community Living became a tuberculosis sanitarium Center, and also operates a 150-bed • A $3.6 million renovation in response to great concern about Domiciliary that offers a variety of expansion of a 13-bed ICU was the spread of the disease, especially treatment options, which include a completed in 2018 with the after the outbreaks during World War homeless inpatient treatment program implementation of innovative I. Thirty-Three of the 55 buildings on and homeless outreach. Additionally, Tele-ICU capability. campus were designated a National there are specialized programs such • Renovation of the Mental Historic Landmark District in 2011. as Radiation Oncology, robotic surgery, Health area was completed and The main hospital, James H. Quillen and Gynecology that are housed on the activated in 2018, including 55 main Mountain Home campus. VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC), offices, four group rooms, three The Morristown VA Clinic commonly referred to as Mountain centralized check-in locations is undergoing expansion of Home VAMC, is the parent facility and large, open waiting areas. approximately 2,800 square feet and located in Johnson City. Other to address the needs of a growing • Awarded a three-year term satellite sites include the William C. Veteran population. This expansion of accreditation in Radiation Tallent Outpatient Clinic (WCTOPC) will support the mitigation of Primary Oncology from the American in Knoxville and 10 additional VA Care and Mental Health challenges as College of Radiology in 2019; located in Morristown, Rogersville, well as to repatriate services. the only program in Northeast Sevierville, Mountain City and The Clock Tower building houses the Tennessee that is ACR Campbell County, Tennessee, and Medical Museum of Mountain Home accredited, as well as the only Bristol, Norton, Jonesville, Vansant, and is scheduled for renovation in early one within a 50-mile radius. and Marion, Virginia. 2021 for use as administrative space. • JHQVAMC opened its eleventh Of the ~65,000 Veterans in our Portions of the museum are planned VA clinic in Mountain City, TN in service area, roughly 20, 000 of those for relocation to the historic chapel. August 2020.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 19 Colonel Historic Sites Tipton helped with Tennessee becoming the 16th U.S. state

John Tipton Jr. expanded his father’s cabin in the 1820s, making it a Federal-style farmhouse. Johnson City Press History runs deep in Washington County

Tipton-Haynes State Commission and by donations to the The Tipton heirs sold the property Historic Site non-profit Tipton-Haynes Historical to the Haynes family, and it was soon Association Inc. The Tipton-Haynes State Historic in the hands of Landon Carter Haynes In 1784, Colonel John Tipton Site in south Johnson City is host to (1816-1875). He expanded the home (1730-1813) moved from Virginia to numerous history-oriented and cultural into how it appears today. Haynes is settle in what was then Washington events year-round. best known for being a Confederate County, North Carolina. For the next The site includes 45 acres, 11 four years, the formation and decline senator, but was also a state legislator, historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/ of the State of Franklin became an politician, farmer, newspaper editor, Simerly cemetery, a limestone cave, a important issue for the area and the Methodist minister and attorney. natural spring, a buffalo trace, a nature life of Colonel Tipton, who stayed Johnson City was briefly renamed trail, and a visitor center. The visitor loyal to North Carolina. In February Haynesville in his honor. center contains a permanent exhibit, of 1788, the Battle of the State of museum store, educational spaces, a Franklin turned the peaceful home of Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site library, and archives. Colonel Tipton’s into a battle ground 2620 South Roan St. Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site is for Franklin independence. Colonel funded under an agreement with the Tipton would later help with the Johnson City, TN, 37601 Tennessee Department of Environment development of Tennessee becoming (423) 926-3631 & Conservation, Tennessee Historical the 16th U.S. state. On the web: www.tipton-haynes.org..

20 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Overmountain Men reactors crossing the Watauga River – a tradition at Sycamore Shoals. Johnson City Press

Sycamore Shoals State the Washington County Regiment of the log house has been modernized Historic Park North Carolina Militia. several times. The logs were covered History runs deep at Sycamore with clapboard siding, and the original Shoals State Historic Park on the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park shingles had tin roofing over them. banks of the Watauga River at the 1651 W Elk Ave Pauline DeFriece, cousin of western entrance to Elizabethton. Elizabethton, TN 37643 the owner of Rocky Mount, John Some of the state’s most significant (423) 543-5808 Massengill, believed that the building early history took place on the park’s On the web: tnstateparks.com/parks/ should be preserved by the state lands and a short distance from the sycamore-shoals. and be opened to the public as a par – events so dramatic and with showplace to the memory of the early characters so colorful and heroic Rocky Mount settlers of the region. She set in motion that they continue to inspire the Rocky Mount represents a the chain of events that lead to the imagination today. successful early government in what purchase of Rocky Mount by the state Some of these include the would become Tennessee, a success of Tennessee. She also established the Transylvania Purchase, where Daniel that followed the failure of the Lost Rocky Mount Historical Association, Boone helped to facilitate what has State of Franklin. the organization that maintains and been called the biggest real estate The house is located just north operates the site to this day. transaction on the American continent. of Johnson City just across the Rocky Mount opened to the public There is the siege of the fort, with a Washington County line in Sullivan with few visitor services in 1962. A rebuilt fort in the same dimensions County. It’s proximity makes it an small Visitor Center was built with to keep the memory of the stand excellent resource for school groups space for a receptionist and 5,000 alive. Finally, there is the Gathering of and families as they step back in time square feet of gallery space. In 1990, a the Overmountain Men at Sycamore to see what life was like when this 175-seat auditorium with video output, Shoals on their way to fight a force country was founded. library, and 4 classrooms were added. of British loyalists at the Battle of William Cobb brought his family In keeping with the importance of Kings Mountain. All of these events from North Carolina and built his two- providing a footing for the state’s are portrayed each July in the state’s story log home in the year 1770 and first organized government, time official outdoor drama “Liberty!” completed it in 1772 in what is now remains stuck at 1791 at Rocky Mount. presented at the amphitheater at the Piney Flats. Cobb was one of the first Costumed historical interpreters park, along with year-round events settlers on the frontier and his home display the essential frontier hospitality celebrating history and culture. became the capitol of the Southwest to visitors from another century who The park includes a visitor’s center, Territory, which later became the State drop in at Rocky Mount. three picnic shelters/pavilions and of Tennessee. The Cobbs moved west three hiking trails ranging from easy to in 1795, leaving Rocky Mount to their Rocky Mount moderate. Behind the visitor center is a daughter, Penelope, who had married 200 Hyder Hill Road reconstruction of the 18th century Fort Hal Massengill. Rocky Mount stayed in Piney Flats, TN 37686 Watauga, now the site of educational the family, passed down through the (423) 538-7396 programs and musters presented by generations until 1958. Over the years, On the web: rockymountmuseum.com.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 21 Washington Transportation County is home to nearly 1,000 miles of county roadways and highways.

Interstate 26. Johnson City Press

Washington County is home to Bristol, Morristown, Greenville and Tri-Cities Airport nearly 1,000 miles of county roadways, Johnson City, and spans 120.9 miles. Washington County is also federal and state highways. connected via I-26 and State Route Among the most important are Other Highways in Interstates 26 and 81, as well as U.S. Washington County 75 to the Tri-Cities Airport, which has 11E, which have a combined length flights to Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, There are 19.08 miles of interstate of over 1,200 miles and stretch from North Carolina, Dallas/Fort Worth, and 141.25 miles of state routes in upstate New York to South Carolina. Washington County, a total of 160.33 Texas and Orlando/Sanford and St. miles. Some of the key highways that Pete-Clearwater, Florida. Interstate 26 pass through Washington County are The airport is centrally located I-26 begins in nearby Kingsport, U.S. Routes 19W, 23, 321 and State between the three cities of Bristol, Tennessee, and runs south for Routes 36, 67, 75, 81, 91 and 107. U.S. Kingsport and Johnson City and is 305.62 miles before ending in Route 321 is one of the county’s spread across 1,260 acres, including Charleston, South Carolina. It travels major highways, and connects a 119,000 square foot terminal. through the major cities of Asheville, Hardeeville, South Carolina, with Lenoir Allegiant, American and Delta airlines North Carolina and Spartanburg, City, Tennessee, spanning 516.9 miles. South Carolina. State Route 36 is another important all fly out of the airport. route in Washington County, as it Interstate 81 connects Johnson City to Kingsport. Johnson City Transit I-81 is significantly longer than Johnson City, located in Washington I-26, coming in just shy of 855 miles County Roads County, also has its own transit system in length. It begins in Dandridge, Washington County has nearly 1,500 that connects much of the city via bus. Tennessee, and travels through named roads (1,492) that stretch for The system has more than a dozen Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania 787.93 miles. routes, including several routes that before ending in Syracuse, New York. In addition to the roads, the county also has 488 bridges — 372 of which transport students on the campus of U.S. Route 11E are under 20 feet long and 116 that are East Tennessee State University, aptly U.S. 11E connects Knoxville with 20 feet in length or more. named “Bucshot.”

22 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 23 Washington County has an average of 200 Outdoor sunny days per year Recreation

Wetlands Water Park. Johnson City Press Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park. Johnson City Press It’s always a good day to get into nature

Washington County boasts one of Tweetsie Trail professionally designed and built, the best areas for outdoor recreation A popular recreation spot, the ensuring enthusiasts and beginners in Northeast Tennessee. Hiking, Tweetsie Trail connects Johnson alike will find the perfect ride. Folks running and biking are some of the City and Elizabethton via a rail-to- can also partake in hiking and trail most popular activities out there. trails project that follows the old running to experience the spectacular Plus, there are plenty of parks ET&WNC railroad. views atop the mountain of the to enjoy a nice day at any time of The trail is mostly gravel and runs downtown area. the year. Johnson City Parks and 9.8 miles from the Alabama St. trailhead in Johnson City to Hatcher Recreation Department does an Winged Deer Park Lane in Elizabethton, where the trail outstanding job in upkeep of the parks ends currently. The 200-acre park sits on the within and surrounding the city. The trail opened in 2014 and with outskirts of Johnson City going a relatively flat grade in a natural towards Bristol. Buffalo Mountain setting it has been a go-to spot for Some of Winged Deer’s amenities include softball fields, Easily one of the most runners, cyclists and walkers from all around. scorer’s tower, restrooms, soccer recognizable features of Johnson fields, batting cages, an 18-hole City, Buffalo Mountain Park is a 725- Tannery Knobs disc golf course, playground area, acre natural resource acquired in concessions, half-mile walking Covering over 40 acres of wooded 1994 through a land swap with the track and paved fitness trails. U.S. Forest Service. terrain in the heart of downtown Johnson City, Tannery Knobs Bike The lakefront area features two The park is located on the north Park is one of the newest attractions sand volleyball courts, picnic shelter slope of the mountain. It consists of for thrill-seekers. with restroom, public boating access, steep topography and is a heavily- Designed as a skills park for all green space, lighted handicap forested area that is perfect for ages, riders can experience off-road accessible boardwalk, amphitheater hiking, picnicking and outdoor riding in a progressive environment. and a Festival Plaza multi-use area nature Programs. Every trail and feature has been with restroom.

24 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Winged Deer Park Disc Golf Course. Johnson City Press

Willow Springs Park Civitan 33-acre community park softball league play. Located on the southwest part of has undergone a total renovation Some of Metro-Kiwanis’ highlights Johnson City between Huffine and for primary use as a soccer include concessions, restrooms, Antioch roads, the 36-acre park plays facility. The development includes picnic shelters, playground area, on the city’s beginnings of a small concession, restrooms, volleyball softball fields, and tennis courts. train village. court, playground and a walking Friendship Gardens, located The park is named after a dairy that trail connecting Civitan to Lions and within the park, are home for operated near the site around the turn Rotary parks. “Junaluska” a 30-foot carving honoring American Indians. of the century. Architectural designs Jacob’s Nature Park at for shelters and light fixtures are Sinking Creek — The 28-acre park reminiscent of styles prevalent during Rotary Park — Built on land donated offers several hiking trails, a wetland by The Carnegie Realty Company in Johnson City’s earliest days. area and an abundance of wildlife Willow Springs is also home to the 1908, Rotary Park consists of 10.4 including fish, frogs, salamanders and acres and is one of the most popular Johnson City Dog Park, a members- many types of birds. only not for profit dog park featuring parks. The park has six covered picnic In 2018, the National Wildlife shelters, restrooms, picnic tables, two acres of leash-free play area for Federation recognized Jacob’s Nature multi-use playing field, and a brand dogs of every size and every age. Park as a certified wildlife habitat new all-inclusive playground area. Parks in Downtown King Commons — One of the smaller Johnson City and newer parks in downtown, King Jonesborough Commons encompasses three acres Jonesborough has seven city parks. of recreational and event space, Founders Park — Located in the heart Jimmy Neil Smith Park is located including winding paths and a mural in downtown Jonesborough, while of downtown Johnson City, the lush providing an ideal spot for photos. greenspace that greets visitors and Mill Spring Park is adjacent to the Washington County Courthouse. residents as they enter the district Lions Park — Established in 1958, Golden Oak Park and Stage Road from the west was designed through a the 8-acre neighborhood park is used Park have fun and safe areas for storm water retention project. primarily for Little League baseball. kids as young as 2. On the web: The Public Arts Committee has Some of the amenities include two placed many sculptures in the park lighted fields, one non-lighted field, jonesborough.com/parks-2. and musicians can enjoy the open concession and restroom area, a Wetlands Water Park features air pavilion. Founders is also the covered pavilion with restrooms and include a rain tree, slides, a lazy river, traditional site of several events a kitchen and a small pavilion that a zero depth wading area, pavilions and festivals. accommodates about 16 people. for shade, a full-service café and dining area, sand volleyball court, and Civitan Park — The park was Metro-Kiwanis Park — The 15-acre shower/restroom facilities. established in 1963 on the site of a community park was established On the web: www. former landfill. in 1972 and is used primarily for wetlandsjonesborough.com.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 25 WASHINGTON COUNTY Population: 129,375 Land area: 326.47 square miles STATS & Population per square mile: 376.7 Highest elevation: 3,520 feet

AGE Percent by age group Under 18: 18.6% FACTS 18 to 24: 12.6% 25 to 44: 24.2% 45 to 64: 26.4% 65 and older: 18.2%

HOUSING JOHNSON CITY JONESBOROUGH Total housing units: 61,186 Population: 67,859 Population: 5,321 Owner-occupied housing rate: 64.7% Land area: 42.94 square miles Land area: 5.14 sq miles Median value of owner-occupied Population per sq mile: 1,470.6 Population per sq mile: 981.9 housing: $159,400 Households: 53,190 AGE AGE Persons per household: 2.3 Percent by age group Percent by age group Median household income: $46,752 Under 18: 17.1% Under 18: 13.8% 18 to 24: 18.1% 18 to 24: 6.1% EDUCATION 25 to 44: 28.2% 25 to 44: 29.5% High school graduate or 45 to 64: 21.1% 45 to 64: 26.1% 65 and older: 15.4% 65 and older: 24.5% higher, 25+: 88.6% Bachelor’s or higher, 25+: 32.4% HOUSING HOUSING Total housing units: 33,233 Total housing units: 2,327 COST OF LIVING Owner-occupied housing rate: 52.5% Owner-occupied housing rate: 73.7% (100 national average) Median value of owner-occupied Median value of owner-occupied Overall: 83.5 housing: $165,900 housing: $162,200 Grocery: 96.5 Households: 28,337 Households: 2,135 Health: 97.2 Persons per household: 2.19 Persons per household: 2.16 Housing: 65.2 Median household income: $40,786 Median household income: $53,330 Utilities: 93.2 Transportation: 77.8 EDUCATION EDUCATION Property tax rate: $2.15 per $100 HS grad or higher, 25+: 90.2% HS grad or higher, 25+: 85.5% assessed Bachelor’s or higher, 25+: 40.4% Bachelor’s or higher, 25+: 33.4% Sales tax rate: 9.5%

COST OF LIVING COST OF LIVING CLIMATE (100 national average) (100 national average) Average rainfall: 43 inches Overall: 82 Overall: 86.3 Average snowfall: 11 inches Grocery: 96.2 Grocery: 97.5 Average high: 85.8 degrees Health: 97.2 Health: 97.2 Average low: 25.5 degrees Housing: 64.4 Housing: 70.2 Utilities: 93.3 Utilities: 90.5 BUSINESS Transportation: 73.5 Transportation: 85.3 Total employer establishments: 2,880 Property tax rate: $1.71 per $100 Property tax rate: $1.20 per $100 Total employment: 52,669 assessed assessed Annual payroll: 2,108,067 Sales tax rate: 9.5% Sales tax rate: 9.5% Non-employer establishments: 8,697

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2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 27 BMS has grown into Bristol Motor one of the world’s largest sports Speedway venues with current capacity listed at The region’s premier sports 162,000 and entertainment venue

2020 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. Associated Press

Bristol Motor Speedway continues All-Star Race for the first time. In September 2016, the track to set the standard in sports and Continuing to be innovative, the hosted the biggest college football entertainment for the Appalachian racing surface around the “World’s game ever, the “Battle at Bristol” Highlands region. Fastest Half-Mile” will be covered between Tennessee and Virginia Built in 1960 with a seating in clay in 2021 as BMS features a Tech. It shattered the NCAA single- capacity of 18,000, BMS has since variety of racing events, highlighted game attendance record with grown into one of the world’s by the Food City Dirt Race, the first 156,990 to see the Vols’ 45-24 win largest sports venues with a current Cup Series race on dirt in 51 years. over the Hokies. capacity listed at 147,000. With its massive size, BMS safely A week later, East Tennessee While BMS sit in Sullivan hosted the largest crowds at any State set a home attendance record County, its financial impact is felt American sporting events during of 13,863 to watch the Bucs score a throughout the region, especially the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 34-31 victory over Western Carolina. in Johnson City and Washington with the NASCAR All-Star Race and BMS first hosted football in 1961 County’s hospitality and tourism Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. when the defending NFL champion arena. Hotels and restaurants get Record crowds are nothing new as Philadelphia Eagles defeated the major boosts from the events at the the track featured 55 consecutive Washington Redskins 17-10 in an speedway each year. sellouts from 1992-2008. The largest exhibition game. The iconic facility hosts two crowds, estimated at 160,000, Serving as a music venue, BMS NASCAR Cup Series race weekends witnessed the fender-rubbing, paint- hosted a massive concert by yearly. In 2020, the schedule trading action which the high-banked country music superstar Kenny expanded to include the NASCAR oval track is famous for. Chesney in 2016.

28 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY Top: 2016 Battle at Bristol football game. Bottom right: 2020 Food City presents Supermarket Heroes 500. Johnson City Press

Plans have been announced to open up the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre at the adjacent Bristol Dragway in 2021. The speedway and dragway combine to host hundreds of events yearly including varied racing competitions, Monster Truck shows, racing schools and 5k runs. BMS is also the home of Pinnacle Speedway in Lights, the region’s most dazzling holiday lights display with a four-mile trek through two million lights. It also provides a unique place for business meetings, charity events, auctions and even weddings, truly making it the premier sports and entertainment venue in the Appalachian Highlands region.

2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 29 Standing- Sports Facilities room-only crowds are common at home games in the $26 million Greene Stadium.

Greene Stadium at East Tennessee State University. Johnson City Press

TVA Credit Union Ballpark Freedom Hall Civic Center 14,051 fans showed up for an NBA TVA Credit Union Ballpark stadium There’s no denying that men’s exhibition game. has been hosting baseball since basketball has become the flagship It still serves as ETSU’s indoor track 1956 and many major-league stars program of the East Tennessee State while being a practice facility for the appeared at the venue on their way University athletic department and football, basketball, baseball, softball to the big leagues. the crowds at Freedom Hall drive that and tennis teams. The park holds more than 3,000 fans, point home. features an artificial turf infield, which ETSU led the Southern Conference Other ETSU Facilities has allowed many games to be played in attendance with an average of more on rainy nights, and a beer garden with than 4,500 fans last season. Sellout Thomas Stadium – The home of ETSU two levels of seating. crowds of 6,177 watched the Bucs’ final two home games. baseball, opened in February of 2013, Kermit Tipton Stadium The arena also has been the site has seating for 1,000. For many years, Science Hill’s of high school games and concerts throughout the years. Summers-Taylor Stadium – ETSU’s football team loaded up on a school men’s and women’s soccer facility bus and traveled downtown — these holds 1,000 people with a hill along the days, the Hilltoppers make the short ETSU’s Greene Stadium far sideline. walk from their state-of-the-art field East Tennessee State’s football house onto the Field Turf playing stadium is the gem of the school’s Betty Basler Stadium – ETSU’s softball surface at Tipton Stadium. facilities. The $26 million stadium field opened in 2009 and seats around The 6,600-capacity multi-use facility opened in 2017 and has had several was built in the valley beneath the high standing-room-only crowds. It has 500 fans. school. The stadium opened with an seating capacity of 7,600 and a grass Warren-Greene Golf Center – The electric atmosphere in 2010. hill that has turned into a popular home of the ETSU men’s and women’s Science Hill added the 13,000-square spot to watch the games. Views foot field house to the scene in 2015, of the nearby mountains make it a golf teams was built as a world completing a dramatic upgrade. spectacular place to see a game on a class practice facility in 2004. It crisp fall Saturday. was designed by famed golf course Science Hill’s Gymnasium architect Tom Fazio. Science Hill’s cutting edge new gym, ETSU Athletics Center Brooks Gym – The home to ETSU’s which opened for the 2012-13 school The Minidome has had a few volleyball and women’s basketball year seats 2,800. names throughout the years and has The gym features an energy efficient been the competitive home to several teams was built in 1950. The facility lighting system and a section for the of the school’s teams, including has undergone extensive renovations students located in the “end zone” area basketball and football. The record in recent years, but still has the feel of behind the basket. attendance came in 1994 when an old-time gym.

30 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 2021 FACT BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY 31 Urgent care or emergency room?

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