there is a "high water" mark on the tavern door made almost a century and a half ago....About this time of year in 1866 a great flood plagued the already civil-war ravaged town of Kingsport, TN. The banks of the Holston River generally ran high in early spring. The river's waters brought down salt in flatboats from Saltville, Virginia all the way to New Orleans. But, on this year, the winter had been particularly bad, boasting almost 2 1/2 feet of snow...followed by heavy rains that made the Holston's water swell way beyond its banks. The houses that were located on the Long Island area were completely submerged and to this day you can see where the water rose a great 27feet all the way up to the first floor of the Netherland Inn.
It has been a long winter, and as I look outside my window at the snow and rain falling heavily. I can easily see how the Holston's banks could hold no more. I can't imagine what it was like to live in the late 1800's but this story does hit close to home today. -something to think about as it steadily rains outside....
visit http://www.netherlandinn.com/ for more information and pictures of the Inn, tavern and boatyard.
