Jonesborough dates to 1779, and 11% of its homes were built before 1940
More historic than 82% of U.S. towns · #13 of 177 in Tennessee. What drives it
2 places in town are on the National Register, among them a historic district with 41 buildings. Below: 11 old photos and papers, maps from 1935 on, and the census since 1880.
From Jonesborough’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers
How Jonesborough began, and where its name came from
When was Jonesborough founded?
1779
Jonesborough dates its founding to 1779 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1880.
First census: 895 in 18802020 census: 5,860247 years
How did Jonesborough get its name?
Jonesborough was named after North Carolina legislator Willie Jones, who had supported the state's westward expansion across the Appalachian Mountains.
How historic is Jonesborough?
A−
More historic than 82% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Jonesborough is more historic than 82% of U.S. towns, #13 of 177 in Tennessee. Its National Register listings hold the grade up; its share of homes from before 1940 pulls it down.
A−
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Jonesborough’s overall grade.
Tennessee towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Tennessee town has 6.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Jonesborough’s 73.8 sits above most of its state (87% of Tennessee towns have fewer) while its 46 historic buildings outnumber those of 84% of U.S. towns.
NoteThe founding year comes from Wikidata alone; no second source gives 1779.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from B to A. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±4.2 points).
Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about Jonesborough’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
Located in the far northeast corner of the state, Jonesborough was founded by European Americans in 1779, 17 years before Tennessee became a state and while the area was under the jurisdiction of North Carolina. It was named after North Carolina legislator Willie Jones, who had supported the state's westward expansion across the Appalachian Mountains.
The town was renamed "Jonesboro" for a period of time, but it took back its historic spelling.
Jonesborough was originally a part of the Washington District. In 1784, it became the capital of the autonomous State of Franklin (ostensibly named after American founding father, Benjamin Franklin). Congress, however, never recognized Franklin, which was reclaimed by North Carolina in late 1788.
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
In 1779, according to Wikidata. Jonesborough’s post office opened in 1796, and the census of 1880 counted 895 people here.
How does Jonesborough rank for history?
Jonesborough is more historic than 82% of U.S. towns, #13 of 177 in Tennessee. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
What is on the National Register in Jonesborough?
Two places: the Henry Hoss House (listed 1982) and the Jonesborough Historic District (2019).
How old are the homes in Jonesborough?
11% of Jonesborough’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±4.2 points), against a typical 4.9% for a Tennessee town; the median home was built in 1986.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (9), the Library of Congress (2), Wikidata (1), the National Register of Historic Places (2), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
1909
1909
1909
1926
1933
