Johnson City, Tennessee: It’s Not Perfect, But It’s Home Once a rugged railroad depot at the edge of the Appalachian frontier, Johnson City has grown into a modern regional hub with a complex past and a vibrant, sometimes uneasy present. This book traces that journey—through booms and busts, industry and education, conflict and reinvention. From the days of narrow-gauge trains and tobacco barns to the rise of medical centers, art spaces, and university life, Johnson City’s story is one of transformation—never perfect, but always in motion. Alongside the historical narrative, you’ll hear from everyday residents whose voices add depth and texture to the city’s ongoing evolution. This is not a sugarcoated tribute, but a clear-eyed reflection on a place that continues to grow, stumble, and redefine itself—just like the people who call it home.