-
1926 State of the City
Yesterday, Kingsport City Manager Chris McCartt gave the annual State of the City address. It’s an exhausting task to put it together–I speak from experience. It forces us to pause from our daily grind and reflect on our community’s progress, challenges, and vision. I always leave energized, optimistic, and grateful. But I’m also empathetic to…
-
The First 11W “Super-Highway” Wasn’t Stone Drive
My first recollection of the term “super-highway” was in reference to Stone Drive in the early 1960s. But did you know that Kingsport’s first “super-highway” was built at least 20 years earlier? Kingsport was incorporated in 1917 as a compact, walkable town. The founders wanted to create a model city with a variety of housing…
-
Kingsport’s First War Hero: Rogan Showalter
Every now and then you come across a story that needs to be told. I’ve lived here my whole life–an avid Kingsport history buff–and never knew. As I was preparing for the upcoming Betty Gibson Memorial Lecture at the Kingsport Archives and decided I wanted to know more about her. It turns out I’m very…
-
Home Sweet Home (To Me)
There’s a saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Lately, I’ve been thinking about how this applies to communities. I always enjoy traveling, but I always look forward to coming home. I enjoy a good trip to the beach, or visiting a large urban center, or attending a stadium event. Those are things I can’t get at home,…
-
Postcards – A Window to the Soul
A longtime childhood friend was going through a box of her late grandfather’s things and found several linen postcards of scenes from Kingsport in the early 1940s. She generously sent them to me. Long before text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, Zoom, or FaceTime, postcards were the shortest, simplest way to check-in, say hello, and express feelings…
-
The First Volunteers Saved Nashville
Lately, I’ve been reading the book, “Franklin: America’s “Lost State” (Gerson, 1968). It’s a deep dive into the period of history of Americans residing west of the Appalachian Mountains from the end of the American Revolution in 1783 until 1791 when additional states beyond the original 13 were admitted to the union. Virginia had long…
-
Of Vols & Gators
The University of Tennessee Volunteers & University of Florida Gators are bitter enemies in the Southeastern Conference. Many know that legendary Gator coach Steve Spurrier hails from Johnson City, Tennessee, but did you know that Gainesville, Florida–home of the Gators–is named after General Edmund Pendleton Gaines of Kingsport, Tennessee? The name “Volunteers” stems from the…
-
Find new life in a small city.
Embracing Experiences, Balance, and Relationships When it comes to choosing where to live, people’s priorities have evolved over time. Gone are the days when material possessions and financial success were the sole determinants of happiness. According to a recent survey by Charles Schwab, a significant majority of respondents favored intangible qualities and experiences over material…
-
Time.
Our days, hours, and minutes are numbered from our very first childhood memory until our last moment of consciousness. Time is a finite, exceptionally precious commodity. Like electricity, time is one of the most awesome natural forces in the universe. It is mysterious, powerful, and transformative. It can be harnessed for good, but it can…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Kingsport Spirit 