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heritage
Long Island of the Holston
Sacred Cherokee ground at the birthplace of treaties
Kingsport, Tennessee
Photo: Long Island of the Holston (Flickr) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
- City
- Kingsport
- Cell signal
- strong signal
- Admission
- Free admission
Long Island of the Holston is one of the most historically significant sites in the American Southeast. Sacred to the Cherokee people as a place of council and ceremony, the island became the setting for the Treaty of Long Island in 1777, a pivotal agreement between the Overhill Cherokee and frontier settlers that shaped the boundaries of settlement in what would become Tennessee. Today the island sits within the city of Kingsport, a quiet reminder that the land beneath our feet holds stories far older than statehood.
The Cherokee held Long Island as sacred ground, using it as a gathering and council site. The 1777 Treaty of Long Island (Treaty of Avery) was negotiated here between Cherokee leaders and agents of Virginia and North Carolina, ceding land that would accelerate Euro-American settlement. The island also served as a staging point for military operations and westward expansion during the late 18th century. It is recognized as a significant cultural heritage site.
Visit Info
daily: Dawn to dusk
Outdoor site accessible during daylight hours. Interpretive markers on-site.
Long Island of the Holston, Kingsport, TN 37660
Parking: Limited parking near access points. Check locally for current best access.
Visitor Tips
- ›Read the interpretive markers carefully, they tell an extraordinary story
- ›This is sacred Cherokee ground, please treat it with respect
- ›Combine with a visit to nearby Exchange Place for a full Kingsport heritage day
- ›Best visited during lower water levels for the most dramatic views of the island
Stay near this stop
Turn this into an overnight trip.
These places to stay are closest to Long Island of the Holston. Use them as your base, then add nearby food, trails, and events.
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What to know before you go
- Access
- Outdoor site with varied terrain. Some areas may be difficult for wheelchairs. Interpretive markers are along a relatively flat path.
- Parking
- Limited parking near access points. Check locally for current best access.
- Cell signal
- Strong cell signal throughout the site
- Tips
- Read the interpretive markers carefully, they tell an extraordinary story
- This is sacred Cherokee ground, please treat it with respect
- Combine with a visit to nearby Exchange Place for a full Kingsport heritage day
- Best visited during lower water levels for the most dramatic views of the island
Pair this with
Pair Long Island of the Holston with Pal's Sudden Service (Original), Domtar Park, and Miracle Field at Domtar Park.
Within 6 miles, you can chain these into a half-day without driving back.
Verified by us
Verified 2026-05-21 · next review 2026-08-19