Greeneville, the county seat of Greene County was established in the late eighteenth century, and is one of the most important towns in historic East Tennessee. Although many of the early buildings have been destroyed, there remain yet a large number of buildings important from either a historical or architectural standpoint.
The Greeneville Historic District consists of an area a block in each direction of Main Street from McKee Street to Nelson Street, comprising an area of about 135 acres containing approximately 175 structures.
Greeneville was established in 1783 around a spring, which is located almost in the heart of town. It was named in honor of General Nathanael Greene of Revolutionary War fame, and was settled by the Scotch-Irish. Its location along important early trade and stage routes caused it to become an important community in the years before the Civil War. Its citizens became prosperous enough to build substantial dwellings, and places of business, many of which form the heart of the historic district.
List of historic structures +Representative buildings NameAddressYear BuiltArchitectural StyleCommentsHotel Brumley109 North Main Street1884UnclassifiedIt was first called the Grand Central, and was considered to be the finest hotel "from Chattanooga to Roanoke." Cumberland Presbyterian Church201 North Main Street1860sGreek Revival/Italianate architectureThe building was constructed on land purchased from Andrew Johnson. During the Civil War it was used as both a hospital and a stable. On September 4, 1864, it was shelled.First Presbyterian Church110 North Main Street1847Greek RevivalEstablished in 1780, this congregation is the oldest in Greeneville and had more than 1,000 members before 1790.Saint James Episcopal Church105 North Church Street1850Gothic RevivalIt has a slave gallery and an organ which is reported to be the oldest in Tennessee.Valentine Sevier House214 North Main Street1822FederalBuilt by a nephew of John Sevier, Tennessee's first governor.W. H. Doughty House309 North Main Street1906-07Greek RevivalAntrium307 North Main StreetCirca 1800Log CabinThis was built in rural Greene County and moved to its present location in 1965.Andrew Johnson Home217 South Main StreetCirca 1851Federal/Greek RevivalThis was purchased by Andrew Johnson and lived in until his death, with the exception of the time he spent in Nashville and Washington D.C. as governor, congressman, senator, and president.Susong House202 South Main Street1795Originally a Log Cabin, subsequently covered with clapboardThis was a two-story log house built by Valentine Sevier and later covered with clapboard. It is the oldest building in Greeneville.Clawson-McDowell-Brown Home204 South Main Street1810FederalLowry Snapp House216 South Irish StreetCirca 1840sUnclassifiedArmitage-McKee Law OfficeCorner of McKee and Irish StreetsCirca 1860UnclassifiedDickson-Williams Mansion106 North Irish StreetCirca 1820UnclassifiedIt was perhaps the most imposing mansion in East Tennessee when it was built. During the Civil War it was used by both Union and Confederate armies as a headquarters. General Morgan spent his last night here, and was killed by Union Soldiers in the mansion's gardens.
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See also Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
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