Contributed/JC Schools Instagram

In August, Johnson City unveiled the Black Heritage Trail downtown, preserving stories of the Black community in the area.

The self-guided 1-mile walking trail is an interactive experience. There are 10 key markers on the trail that explain the significance of each site. The path begins at Langston High School, which served as a high school for the Black community during segregation and a cornerstone.

As the trail continues, visitors stop at landmarks such as the Pro-To Club (Progress Together), which has been cultivating generations of achievers and “strengthening community ties” in the area since 1952. Not all of the stories told are bound to a specific location, such as the Lanston High band, which is fondly remembered performing through the streets on their way to football games.

Creators hope that the trail will not only help visitors remember the past but also bring about forethought for the future.

The long-term goal of the trail is to also include a website with information about the Black community in the area. For now, information about the Johnson City Black Heritage Trail can be found at johnsoncitytn.org/services/parks_and_recreation/black_heritage_trail.php

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