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Andrew Johnson Postcards

Andrew Johnson Hotel

The former Andrew Johnson Hotel is located at 912 South Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee.  It's at the intersection with West Hill Avenue beside the hard-to-miss BB&T building.  It is no longer a hotel, so don't bother looking for it in the phone book.  Today, it is the administrative headquarters for Knox County Schools.  Practically next door is the Blount Mansion while the old courthouse sits across the street.

Hank Williams and his driver, Charles Carr, checked into the Andrew Johnson Hotel around 6:08 pm on December 31, 1952.  The desk clerk that evening was Dan McCrary and it is said Hank had stayed there in the past.  Sometime after arriving, Hank was visited by Dr. Paul H. Cardwell who injected him with B-12 and morphine.  Some accounts state that Hank also visited St. Mary's Hospital where he received additional morphine.  The singer reportedly slept a bit and also fell out of bed, receiving a bruise that was seen at his autopsy.  Around 10:45 pm, the two checked out and Hank seemed in bad shape.  Some speculate he was dead.  The stories state bellhops essentially carried him to his car and he made a couple of coughing sounds along the way.

It seems likely the two drove north on Gay Street and past the Tennessee Theatre, which was playing "Stop, You're Killing Me."  They probably turned onto Magnolia, past Chilhowee Park and then to U.S. Highway 11W (Rutledge Pike).  From my visit, it seems 11W was marked a little odd.  Perhaps "S11W."  So, be sure to watch for Rutledge Pike signs if you make the drive.

For old postcard views of the hotel, click here.

The photo above shows the red brick Andrew Johnson Hotel nearly dwarfed by the BB&T building.
This view is looking north on South Gay Street, from the long bridge.  I believe the tall white building
visible further down the road is the Tennessee Theatre.

Above is a closer view of the former hotel.  The visitors center for
the Blount Mansion is just off the right side of the photo.
The old court house is off the left side.

Notice the historical information marker near the corner (beside the newspaper box).

This historical marker is located at the corner of the Andrew Johnson Building.

The above photo is a close-up of part of the historical marker.

The photo above is the front of the former Andrew Johnson Hotel, as seen from the old courthouse.

The photo above is looking south along S. Gay Street.

Copyright 2006 to 2009 by Mark Turner.