Erwin and Unicoi CountyThe 250-year pioneer heritage of Erwin and Unicoi County is an intrinsic part of East Tennessee's historical landscape. By the early 1700s, the legendary Long Hunters had ventured into this wild frontier--then part of North Carolina--following the abundant game and trade with the Native Americans. This river-fed land was soon dubbed "Greasy Cove" as a meeting place where game was cleaned. Around 1760, settlers found their way into the valley, carving homesteads out of hidden coves or fertile flatlands alongside the Nolichucky River. Unicoi County was established in 1875. The advent of the railroad in 1890 brought a new prosperity. By 1909, the Carolina, Clinchfield, and Ohio Railroad--later known as the "Clinchfield"--was in its boomtime, as was Unicoi County. Around 1916, the Ohiobased Southern Potteries arrived, and famed Blue Ridge hand-painted china dinnerware was born. Today, sheltered on three sides by the natural beauty of Cherokee National Forest, the area of Erwin and Unicoi County is popularly known as the Valley Beautiful. |
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A. R. Brown Arnold Williams family Banner Baptist Church Bergendahl Bert Thompson Bill Booth Bob Davis Bob Sams Brown Stromberg/A. R. Brown Cherokee National Forest Christine Christy Tipton Clear Branch Clinchfield Railroad County High School County Historical Society County's Courtesy of Christine Courtesy of Dennis Courtesy of James Courtesy of Juacquetta Courtesy of Lucille Courtesy of Martha Dennis and Lillian downtown Erwin early East Tennessee Erwin and Unicoi F. B. White Flag Pond Foster/Jakie Farnor collection Goforth Hilda Padgett images courtesy Johnson City Jonesborough Juacquetta Davis Edwards left to right Lewis Thornberry Lillian Foster/Jakie Farnor Linda Davis Love Street Lucille Hensley Booth Main Street Marie Kegley Deyton Martha Brown Stromberg/A. R. McInturff movie Nolichucky River photograph Pictured from left Rock Creek Rock Creek Park shown southern Unicoi County Stromberg/A. R. Brown collection Theater Tilson town of Erwin Unicoi County High Unicoi County Historical Violet Kelley wife YMCA young