Trade, Tennessee

Trade
Unincorporated community
Trade

Location within the state of Tennessee

Coordinates: 36°20′57″N 81°44′44″W / 36.34917°N 81.74556°WCoordinates: 36°20′57″N 81°44′44″W / 36.34917°N 81.74556°W
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Johnson County
Elevation 3,133 ft (955 m)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
  Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 37691
Area code(s) 423
GNIS feature ID 1272826[1]

Trade is an unincorporated community in Johnson County, Tennessee, United States. It is easternmost community in the state and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the headwaters of Roan Creek. The community is located between the towns of Mountain City and Boone, North Carolina, along US-421. The first English-speaking person visited Trade in 1673, making it the oldest unincorporated community in the state.[2]

History

The oldest unincorporated community in the state,[2] Trade originated in the 18th century as "The Trade Gap," a trading post established for Native Americans, pioneers, and fur traders to buy and sell their wares. It was located on an old buffalo trail between Snake and Rich Mountains, the easiest route through the mountains to the West. Tom Dula (made famous by the folk song "Tom Dooley") hid out in Trade as he was on the run, suspected of having murdered Laura Foster in Wilkes County, North Carolina. It was in Trade that the posse finally caught up to Dula and arrested him. Dula was working on Grayson farm, "if it hadn't been for Grayson I'd have been in Tennessee", when he was captured in Trade.

Culture

The Trade Days festival,[2] a three-day festival of Appalachian arts, crafts, culture, and history, has been held in Trade each June since 1989. The festival also features Appalachian music and dance, and a Native American pow-wow. Profits from the festival go to improve and expand the Trade Community Center and Park.

In 2008, the Trade gristmill celebrated its grand opening. Most of the parts comprising the newly constructed mill date back to pre-Civil War. The gristmill is located on the grounds of Trade Days and is open to the public. A variety of products is available for purchase, including popcorn grits and featured art by local talent.

See also

References

  1. "Trade, Tennessee". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jackie Sheckler Finch (1 July 2009). Tennessee: A Guide to Unique Places. Globe Pequot. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-7627-5057-3. Retrieved 22 November 2011.

External links