heritage

Old Deery Inn

Where three presidents slept on the frontier road

Blountville, Tennessee

Blountville strong signalFree admission

One of the most significant surviving stagecoach inns in the American South, the Old Deery Inn in historic Blountville hosted three future presidents — Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson — as they traveled the Great Stage Road. Built in the late 18th century, this frontier inn served as a critical waypoint for travelers, politicians, and settlers pushing westward through the Appalachian frontier. Now county-owned and undergoing careful restoration, the inn stands as a tangible connection to the road that built a nation.

The Deery Inn sat on the Great Stage Road, the primary overland route connecting the eastern seaboard to the trans-Appalachian frontier. Three men who would become President of the United States — Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson — are documented to have stayed at the inn. Blountville, established as the Sullivan County seat in 1795, was a natural stopping point on this vital corridor. The inn is one of the best-preserved examples of frontier hospitality infrastructure in the region.

Visit Info

note: Currently under restoration — check locally for open house dates and special event access

The inn is undergoing restoration. Exterior viewing and Blountville walking tours available. Check Sullivan County government website for restoration updates and special access days.

100 Old Deery Street, Blountville, TN 37617

Parking: Street parking in Blountville. Additional parking at Sullivan County Courthouse lot.

Visitor Tips

  • Combine with a walk through historic Blountville — the courthouse is steps away
  • Ask at the Sullivan County Archives about Deery Inn history
  • Best experienced as part of the Presidential Trail tour
  • Check for special open house dates during America 250 programming

Accessibility: Exterior is accessible on flat terrain. Interior access limited during restoration. Contact Sullivan County for accessibility details during special events.

Last verified: 2026-02-25