Virgealia Ellis calls herself an Appalachian woman and recalls early childhood memories growing up on the Rotherwood Farm, owned at the time by Kingsport’s John B. Dennis. Her mother, Inez Looney was the cook, and her father, James Looney was the chauffeur, the butler, and the mansion’s maitre’d. After serving Douglass High School principal V.O. Dobbins, as school secretary, Mrs. Ellis started a … [Read more...]
Jane and Jack King
Jane King was born at home in White City and has many warm memories of life in early Kingsport. Her husband Jack King tells the intriguing story of how his father E. Ward King survived the depression to start the Mason-Dixon Line, one of the largest family-owned trucking fleets in the nation. … [Read more...]
DB Students
What is great about Kingsport? Dobyns-Bennett High School students from Joe McMakin's video technology class share their favorite Kingsport features in this video produced and edited in the classroom. Video classes in high school? That's something we like about Kingsport, too! … [Read more...]
Ken Marsh
Ken Marsh, a retired Eastman transportation executive, has had a life long fascination for all types of transportation, particularly trains. He describes the amazing history of the Clinchfield Railroad, which impacted the growth of manufacturing in East Tennessee and tells the little known story of how Kingsport and Eastman helped the US win WW2. Today, Ken is chairman of Rail Solution, an … [Read more...]
Save the Date!
Kingsport 100 Press Conference When: March 2 at 10:00 am Where: 101 E. Main Street (Old Train Station) … [Read more...]
Calvin Sneed
Calvin Sneed, senior news anchor at WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, grew up in Kingsport's African-American community of Riverview and graduated from the all-black Douglass High School in the years before integration. Mr. Sneed’s interview provides a unique glimpse into the history of Douglass and Riverview. His web site, sonsanddaughtersofdouglass.org, is an online historical archive of Douglass High … [Read more...]
Long Island Community
Jo Ann Riner and Phyllis Carter talk about life in Kingsport's Long Island community and the history of Long Island Evangelical Methodist Church. … [Read more...]
Sam Anderson, Jr.
Kingsport native Sam Anderson, Jr. tells stories shared by his father, Sam Anderson, Sr. an early Kingsport business and community leader. Sam Anderson, Jr. was founder and president of Anderson Ford from 1960 to 1995 and has been involved in the development and growth of many other businesses in the region. He has been recognized as a lifetime member of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, a Junior … [Read more...]
It’s Good to Celebrate!
The Centennial Commission was established by Mayor Dennis Phillips in September 2014. The Commission exists to organize a meaningful and enjoyable celebration of Kingsport's 100th birthday that appeals to all ages of people with ties to the City and honors Kingsport's diverse heritage, present community, and promising future. The theme for the celebration is The Kingsport Spirit. Over the last … [Read more...]
Josie Reid
Kingsport community leader Josie Reid shares stories of a community united through a volunteer spirit at The Palmer Center, Junior League of Kingsport, and First Broad Street United Methodist. Josie notes the distinct joy that her husband, Toy F. Reid received when Eastman named the Employee Center in his honor -- a tribute that recognized not only his work, but also the efforts of the Eastman … [Read more...]