The first stop along the way of my trip north was at the Tipton-Haynes Historic site in Johnson City, TN. Col. John Tipton moved from Virginia to this area in 1783 .   A battle was fought on Tipton's farm in 1788 between those supporting the new State of Franklin and those remaining loyal to North Carolina.   It brought about the end of the State of Franklin, and when Tennessee became a state in 1796, Tipton represented Washington Co. in the first two General Assemblies.   In 1839, Landon Haynes was given the Tipton farm as a wedding gift from his father.   He enlarged the mansion, and developed the site much as it appears today.

The main Tipton-Haynes house Contained within this large house is the original 25' x 35' log cabin of Col. John Tipton.

The left side of the house has a brick chimney.

While the right side has a chimney built of stone.

Next to the house is the law office of Landon Haynes.

Cabin of slave George Haynes

Dogtrot style corn crib, and adjacent barn

Springhouse

Springhouse interior

Stillhouse and springhouse

At the start of my travels, the eastern US was experiencing the hottest temperatures of the year, and there was nary a cloud in the sky.   I was sweating just exploring the old farm buildings, so I headed down to the karst cave at the lower end of the farm site.   It's not a huge cave, but was fun to explore, and I had the place to myself.   I spent about a half hour in the coolness before I had to get back on the road. The tooth of a Dire Wolf was found in the cave a number of years ago, and Native Americans used it as a camp on hunting expeditions.   Oh, and local tradition says that Daniel Boone spent a night here.

Entrance to the limestone cave

Entering the cave Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) was growing all around the opening.

Looking back out through the main opening

Vestibule Upon entering the cave, the central passage splits into two large chambers.  The upper chamber is off to the right where the shadow is, and the lower chamber is beyond the shadow at left.

Upper chamber

One of several smaller openings to the outside in the upper chamber.

View from upper chamber down toward the vestibule.

Being a karst solution cave, new formations are always being formed, but visitation over the centuries has resulted in most being broken off.

A water-sculpted chamber

Another small opening to the outside

The lower chamber

Section of the ceiling in lower chamber

A smaller rear entrance into the cave

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