The Oldest House in Tennessee Is More than 243 Years Old

Tennessee is home to over 2,000 historic properties. However, the oldest house in Tennessee is the Carter Mansion, which is located in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Carter Mansion is the oldest standing frame house in the state. In fact, sources claim that the house is the first framed structure west of the Appalachian Mountains. Carter Mansion is more than 243 years old and is open for tours.

The History of the Carter Family

The first Carter to relocate to Tennessee was John. Although there is record of John Carter being born in Virginia in 1737, there are no ancestral records regarding his family. In many ways, his origins remain a mystery. Carter married Elizabeth Taylor in 1758. Historians presume that the couple had three sons. However, some sources claim that they only had one male child, Landon Carter.

When the Carter family moved to Tennessee in 1770, John established a trading post on the Holston River’s west side, along with William Parker. The family settled on the Watauga River in 1772, and John leased the land until December 1775. At that point, the Watauga Purchase land office allowed him to own the 640-acre tract of land. It was on this strip of land where John’s son, Landon, built Carter Mansion prior to his death in 1800.

The Carter Family’s Legacy

John Carter and his son Landon both served in the Revolutionary War around 1778-1781 for the state of North Carolina. This area of North Carolina is now located in East Tennessee.

After John and Landon’s respective terms of service during the war, both father and son held a number of other political and military leadership roles. John was elected Chairman of the Court for the Articles of the Watauga Association. Meanwhile, Landon held several roles throughout North Carolina and Tennessee. Landon attended Davidson College in North Carolina, and he later owned multiple businesses. 

Landon Carter and his wife Elizabeth were notable figures, which is evident in the county and town’s naming. Carter County is named after Landon, while Elizabethton, the county seat, is named for his wife, Elizabeth. Landon died in 1800, leaving Elizabeth to raise seven children on her own. 

Carter Mansion’s Construction

The construction of the Carter Mansion is still a little murky. In the nineteenth century, the Carter family’s historical records were lost in a fire. Local historians have determined that the house was built sometime between 1775 and 1780. The home used heavy-braced frame construction and introduced sun-dried brick as supports between the walls.

During the 1800s, after Landon’s death, the rear of the house was enlarged. The extension included a kitchen, dining room, two bedrooms, and a two-story porch (which has all since been removed). 

Carter Mansion’s Architecture 

The Carter Mansion, one of the oldest and most significant dwellings in Tennessee, is constructed in the vernacular Georgian style. The home is a two-story frame house, and it employs a rare architectural element: three rooms on each floor. The house has a total of six rooms between the two floors, including a cellar and garret. 

The first floor of the house follows a Pennsylvania interior design, which conveys a large hall on the right, and on the left, two smaller rooms that include corner fireplaces. The designer further accentuated this floor plan with 9-foot ceilings and an elegant first-floor interior. The second-floor ceiling is approximately 7 feet tall.

Homes in the eighteenth century typically had floor-to-ceiling paneling throughout the first floor. The Carter Mansion follows suit. The second floor includes wainscoting and painted pine surfaces to simulate marble or wood veneer. The paneled walls and woodwork are indicative of Virginia Tidewater estates from the mid-eighteenth century, hearkening to the family’s Virginia origins. 

Carter Mansion Restored

The Carter Mansion remained in the family until 1882, when William S. Thomas purchased the home and equipped it with modern plumbing and electricity. The house served as a residence until 1968, before it sat abandoned for four years.

In 1973, the state of Tennessee purchased the home, as well as several acres surrounding it. After the state purchased Carter Mansion, the house was restored to its original appearance. The state later opened the mansion as part of the Sycamore Shoals State Historical Area.

Today, 90% of the interior is original. For example, two overmantel works of art were painted directly onto the wall paneling. These pieces of art are considered to be the oldest in the state.

Not only is Carter Mansion the oldest standing house in Tennessee, but the house is also presumed to be the first house with glass windows. 

History of Elizabethton

The town of Elizabethton in Carter County was one of the first permanent settlements outside of the original thirteen colonies. Originally named the Watauga Settlement at Sycamore Shoals, the area was home to military officials and members of the Constitutional Convention. Elizabethton was founded in the late eighteenth century, but the town didn’t have any type of organized government until the early twentieth century.

Elizabethton is the historical site of the Transylvania Purchase, the Battle of Musgrove Hill, and the Battle of Kings Mountain. Today, the town is part of the Tri-Cities area in Northeast Tennessee, situated amidst Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport. Elizabethton is home to more than 14,000 citizens.

Exploring Carter County

The Carter County region has an abundance of historical sites, mountain sports, and water activities. 

Blue Hole Falls

Blue Hole Falls is located at the base of Holston Mountain, and it includes a series of three waterfalls. The 0.5-mile-loop trail features a waterfall and swimming hole accessible to all skill levels.

Laurel Fork Falls

Laurel Fork offers a slightly more challenging hike with a 2.6-mile path through the rhododendron forests before reaching the 55’ waterfall. The majority of the hike is flat, but there are rocky portions. The last 0.3 miles of the trail are more challenging, as they include a long series of steps descending to the base of the trail. If you’re up for a small challenge, Laurel Fork Falls is worth checking out! Many consider Laurel Falls one of the best waterfalls in East Tennessee. 

Watauga Lake

The construction of the Watauga Dam in 1948 led to the creation of Watauga Lake. Surrounded by mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, Watauga Lake is a beautiful location for swimming, boating, fishing, and other water activities. The lake offers clean waters and scenic views. The water that drains from Watauga Lake fills Wilbur Lake, the “hidden gem” of Carter County.

Roan Mountain State Park

Roan Mountain State Park is 2,006 acres of Appalachian Forest and is located at the base of the 6,285-foot Roan Mountain. The park’s elevation ranges from 3,000 feet to 3,700 feet, depending on location. Visitors can learn more about the area’s history, or simply hike, fish, or enjoy the occasional concert. The nearby Rhododendron Gardens of Roan Mountain are also worthy of a visit. 

Fort Watauga 

Check out the reconstructed 18th-century Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Tour the fort, experience educational programs, and encounter the annual production of “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals.”

Visiting The Oldest House in Tennessee

Since Elizabethton is located within the Tri-Cities region, you won’t be short on dining, lodging, or fun opportunities and unique activities. Most importantly, make sure your visit to Carter County includes a visit to the oldest house in Tennessee.

Where Is the Carter Mansion Located on a Map?

The Carter Mansion sits at 1033 Broad St. in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Elizabethton is part of Carter County and is situated in the northeastern part of Tennessee, just west of the North Carolina border.