The following photos show private and public reinvestments in Downtown Johnson City in the area around Henry Johnson's Depot. Mayor Johnson has directed that pictures be taken regularly to show the work of the good folks rebuilding the old railroad town and other scenes of local interest.

Henry's comments and thoughts are italicized below the photos and he appears mighty impressed with the hard work underway. "With our railroads, the new I-26 road to the Carolinas, and the beautiful mountains surrounding us, Johnson City is a place to meet new friends and put down your roots. It worked for me in 1856 and thousands of folks since that time."

Above: Johnson City Public Library, St. John's, Central Baptist
Downtown Loan Pool Guidelines Link to JCDA Program Announcement
Ready to Open January 2006	Russo's Restaurant Grand Opening	Ribbon Cutting with Gusto
"Lyz and Terry are creaing quite a stir down at Russo's Restaurant coming to Johnson City from New Orleans."	"They have beads when you walk in to put around your neck from a basket. This is new for the Depot District."	"The Russos are bringing Big Easy - Orleans style food to "Little Chicago". It already is a smash hit. Try it out soon."
Russo's Interior	Link to Russo's Menu	Russo's Interior
"Russo's is part of the major renovation of the King's Department Store Building, a downtown landmark."	"Russo's proves without a doubt that quality investments will work and succeed in the old historic district."	"The beef barbecue po 'boy is Henry's recommendation in case you were wondering."
Tennessee National Bank - Main Street Exterior Cleaning	Tennessee National Bank	Tennessee National Bank - Interior
"These guys are setting a pace on Main Street that is catching on."	"Wow, Polly and Tom are creating an incredible restoration here."	"Ike Jobe's old Opera House never looked this good."
Henry loves to look at the before and after photos on some of the buildings which are quite astounding. "A few years back the old Kress store needed some TLC."	"Then in 2000 a merchant with a vision went to work on a beautiful restoration and renovation project ."	"Today the Main Street Antiques and Mercantile storefront looks better than it did in the Kress 5 and 10 cent store era!."
Taste Budz: Home Cooking	Taste Budz: Grand Opening	Ready for the Lunch Crowd
"In summer 2005 this former deli was being transformed to a new business called Taste Budz - open from 10 until 2 each day."	"This reminds me of the Sandwich Shop on Fountain Square long ago. A wider menu here than just sandwiches." Taste Budz Mystery Diner Review	"Call in your order to Taste Budz at 926-9304 or drop by for lunch. Henry can vouch for the chef salad and peach tea as being exceptional."
Tipton Street	Tipton Street Project from Spring Street	Tipton Street Phase I
"This was the Hannah's Clothing Store - one of the finest ever in these parts."	"Folks from over around Asheville are working hard on this block. We had some good music makers from Asheville like Jimmie Rodgers over here in the old days."	"These folks are taking over this entire block for homes and new businesses."
Farmer's Market - Cherry Street Parking Lot	Sunny's Cafeteria - Interior	Historic Clinchfield Depot
"Glad to see local produce from our farmers available in Johnson City every Wednesday and Saturday morning."	"One of my favorite restorations is the Sunny's Cafeteria property on Cherry Street. Great home-style food is served here	"I'm proud to see this landmark saved for the generations of folks that worked for the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio RR." A local depot renovation project makes Henry want to invest in more railroad bonds.
Acoustic Coffeehouse	Holsten Apartments	Holsten Apartments
"I remember when folks played tunes for free down at the Depot just because they loved to play. Everybody is welcome to sing and play here."	"In addition to Sunny's Cafeteria, Marvin Carter is renovating the Holsten Apartments on West Main Street."	"Just up the street from the legendary Down Home."
Golden Gate Design Center	Former Mayne Williams Library	A peek up Main Street
"They must have been at the John Sevier Hotel to get this angle. Interesting new business here."	"Munsey Church has preserved the Mayne Williams Library building and Samuel Cole would be grateful to see this."	"Awnings have shaded Main Street as long as I can remember."
"Into the Fire" Pottery	Munsey Christian Life Center	Exterior refurbishment - Hamilton Bank
"This is a great addition on Roan Street downtown - reminds me of the Keystone Pottery years ago. New Book on Keystone Pottery.	"This is a good place for the fellows hanging around the Depot here to take some exercise."	"How did they get windows this clean up this high?.... amazing!
Sunny's Cafeteria Block		Larkins Building - View from the Top
"Sunny's is renovating their second floor to have banquet and party space. This will be a great asset to downtown."	"Butch would have made a good railroad security officer down at my depot years ago. He tried to pass off as being only 10 but this was corrected in time." "The Reeltime Travelers and Bleu Jackson honored Butch with some great tunes."	"Helen and Don have really enhanced the upper stories of the old Clinchfield Railroad headquarters (currently Picasso's Restaurant). This is one of the best views of Johnson's Depot."
Clinchfield Depot: Exterior Work - July 2005	George L. Carter Railway Museum	Flowers at Fountain Square
"Wow it was over 100 degrees on Tuesday and this never slowed down the work on the depot. I am slowly remembering how it looked when George L. Carter first completed it."	"The Mountain Empire Modular Railroaders sure have some talent and have created an incredible museum at ETSU dedicated to university founder, George L. Carter." Click here to see how a model rail car and layout is built.	"I wish we could have had these city gardeners that do all the plantings downtown. We had to go out to the National Soldiers Home to see flowers looking like this." Henry - they are officially called urban foresters.
Clinchfield Depot: Exterior Work - Summer 2005	Washington County Marker	Microsoft Across America
"This is one tough renovation project and a tedious job cleaning the old brick."	"The most common name for a county in the U.S. is Washington. Originally in North Carolina, Washington County, Tennessee was the second in the U.S. to honor General Washington of the Continental Army back in 1777. It truly is quite an honor to have a county or a city named after you......"	"Down from the Public Library at NAC Computing, a big truck was set up to display the latest technologies. The fellows suggested that I do this "Blog" to promote all the new businesses. Here is the inside of this truck."
Patterned Sidewalk Treatment	New Bell Tower - Carillon at ETSU Aerial View of Campus	Gatsby's Exterior Work - Summer 2005 Now Reopened as Capone's
"The City's Public Works Department is really dressing up the sidewalks on Roan Street." Closer View of Work	"I bet these bells will ring all the way down to the Depot. The Normal School campus is looking spiffy."	"The Gatsby's block is getting a major facelift and refurbishing. This building was built by W. G. Mathes in 1901 and is a throwback to the Little Chicago era ."
Clinchfield Depot Replicated Original Windows Fall 2005	Butch just had his bandage changed in this photo but is healing up quite well.	Clinchfield Depot New Interior Windows
"The new window trim is really sharp. I'd like to peek inside and see how it looks."	"Butch may have an unfiled workman's comp claim here and is definitely out of action. He is one of the most famous canines in the entire county" Note: Butch passed away in 2008.	"George L. Carter could inspect the top floor and it is starting to meet the legendary railroad baron's specifications."