Skip to Main Content

Photo-Op Pillory.

Photo-Op Pillory

Field review by the editors.

Jonesborough, Tennessee

Many towns have outdoor photo-ops emblazoned with the town's name, usually something colorful and cheerful, like a mural or a big fish, to encourage selfies. The idea is to spread the word, through images, that the town is an important or fun place to visit.

Jonesborough's choice for public interaction is a weathered wooden pillory, with holes for the head and hands.

Jonesborough's history, of which it is proud, includes being the site of the first Court of Magistrates of the State of Franklin (later Tennessee), which dispensed justice in the 1780s and '90s. Punishments included hanging, whipping, branding. The pillory was used for public humiliation. Court records still exist, and in at least two cases the convicted criminals were sentenced to have their ears nailed to the pillory for an hour, and then cut off.

The current pillory is almost certainly not the 1790s model, but tourists may still want to make a close inspection of the replica -- for the sake of historical accuracy -- to see if there are any ear-position nail holes.

Photo-Op Pillory

Address:
117 Boone St., Jonesborough, TN
Directions:
East edge of downtown, on the north side of Boone St., on the back edge of the parking lot between the visitors center and the library.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Born in a Boneyard: First Lady Eliza JohnsonBorn in a Boneyard: First Lady Eliza Johnson, Telford, TN - 4 mi.
Junaluska and the Arch of FriendshipJunaluska and the Arch of Friendship, Johnson City, TN - 5 mi.
Most Powerful Musical Bi-Polar Tesla CoilMost Powerful Musical Bi-Polar Tesla Coil, Gray, TN - 6 mi.
In the region:
Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, VA - 26 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Tennessee

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Tennessee.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Tennessee Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings