Academy Hill History Highlights

Academy Hill History Highlights:

1778 - North Carolina grants 600 acres to David Hughes.

1783 - Deed indicated 100 acres have been laid off for the use of the Town of Jonesborough

1796 - Plat maps shows the original 64 lot layout of Jonesborough. Academy Hill on lots 24 and 25.

1806 - Tennessee legislature passes an "act to establish academies in the several counties." The act creates a body to be known as "the trustees of Martin Academy, in the county of Washington."

1816 - Hebron Presbyterian Church purchased property on West Main Street at the location of a "Grammar School" and they erected a two story brick building with a place of worship on the first floor and a boy's school "Martin Academy" on the upper floor. The building was the first Church building erected within the town of Jonesborough.

1831 - Hebron Presbyterian Church erects a one story brick building close to the original building. The original building was an inconvenient size and its walls were badly cracked.

1843 - James K. Polk (former Governor/future President) and Tennessee Governor James E. Jones debated for six hours at the locust grove next to the Presbyterian Church (Academy Hill).

1852 - Odd Fellows Lodge No. 40 purchased the property and tore down the 1816 two-story building.

1854 - Odd Fellows Lodge No. 40 erected an elaborate 2 story addition to the remaining single story building. They united with the Jonesborough Female Academy and formed the Odd Fellows Female High School. The building faced 2nd Avenue and was approximately where the front carport of Academy Hill is located.

1855 – Andrew Johnson (future President) spoke under a locust tree on the left as you enter the Jonesboro Graded School grounds. East of Dr. Warlick’s ground (Academy Hill).

1863 - The Odd Fellow's Female High School closed and the building was used as a hospital during the Civil War.

1866 - After the war the property was sold for debt.

1866-1887 - Schools by the names of "Jonesborough Female College", "Jonesborough Graded School", "College Hall", "Presnell's Academy", and "Presnell's Hall" operated here. At one point the school had a "Normal Department" for training teachers and a "Girls Department".

1868 – 10,000 Unionists attend a rally in the beautiful Locust Grove in front of the school.

1881-1926 - The building was considered the "Jonesborough High School". An "Elementary Branch" operated separately on the property.

1883 - The Jonesboro Educational Society purchased the property.

1894 - The Board of Education tore away the rear part of the school building. This part was originally the 1831 Presbyterian Church. They then replaced it with a large 2 story hall for the school and to accommodate the public.

1926 - The current Academy Hill building was erected at a cost of $75,000. It served as the "Jonesborough High School".

1927 - Once the new building was complete, the old 1854 building was torn down in 1927.

1951 - When a new High School was built east of town, the building began being utilized as the Jonesborough Elementary School. Grades 3 to 6 were held in the school building.

1971 - Jonesborough Elementary School ceased operations.

1973 - Building sold at auction.

1974 - Fifteen investors buy the property.

1975 - Sourwood Regional Art Center began operation. Was in operation for 1 1/2 years.

1977 - Dr. William Kennedy and Howell H. Sherrod buy the interests of the other investors.

1977 - Dr. Kennedy begins converting the building into condominiums. Takes 2 1/2 years.