Tales From The Trails

Next Stop....Dandridge, Tennessee

and Tinsley -Bible Drugstore

    
     My family has had a summer home in the mountains of Sylva, North Carolina for years. And for as many years my husband, Bruce, and I drove past the Dandridge, Tennessee exit off  I-40 enroute to and from those Carolina mountains. Seems we were always in a hurry to get there.......and back home to Nashville. But this trip was different. Since writing the song Trails of Tennessee (http://www.trailsoftn.com/) my interest in a pilgrim's work of art, a patch-work quilt of hearts has grown. Tennessee is chock full of history and we wanted to check out Dandridge, whose backroads and by-ways were recently dubbed part of the Sunnyside Trail by The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development 's Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways initiative (www.tnvacation.com).
     So, this year driving back home to Nashville from Sylva, after sailing over the sensational French Broad River, we took a sharp turn off I-40 at Exit 417 and motored our way back in time to the quaint, picturesque town of Dandridge, in Jefferson County, Tennessee. It was lunch time and we headed toward our chosen destination - the renowned Tinsley - Bible Drugstore. Our mouths were watering for their renowned "Bible Burger!"
     Walking into that drugstore is a stroll back into a simpler more relaxed day and time. Bruce and I slid into one of their original wooden booths - complete with the old-time metal bordered menus -instead of sitting at their lunch counter. With it's authentic chrome trimmed, red-vinyl, single swivel seats it was already crowded with locals and visitors.    
     We discovered that Tinsley-Bible Drug Company has been serving the community of Dandridge since 1911. Founded by the town medical doctor, P.A. Tinsley and his nephew, pharmacist Walter Tinsley, the store has been a favorite gathering spot for generations. When Walter Tinsley died in 1933, pharmacist Lloyd “Doc” Bible purchased his share of the company stock from Mr. Tinsley’s widow. The store became the Tinsley-Bible Drug Co. and has retained the name to date. Pharmacist Don Rose purchased the store in 1986 and continues to operate the store today.
     Enjoying that Bible Burger was almost like having a religious experience, and the friendly staff were angels making us feel right at home. After lunch, Bruce ordered a thick strawberry milk shake for dessert, while I happily savored a scoop of their homemade vanilla ice cream on a crunchy cone. Both were made from scratch and served from their original soda fountain. And off we ambled to savor the sights, sounds and history of lovely Dandridge.
     First settled in 1783, Dandridge is the second oldest town in Tennessee (Jonesborough is the oldest) and the county seat of government. Dandridge is the only town in America named after America's first, First Lady, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. Later, in Tidbits For Trails I'll provide a recipe from The Martha Washington Cookbook for a Perfect Picnic Place dessert. In the meantime, let's continue with more Tales From The Trails
     Dandridge is alive with historic buildings and landmarks that offer a glimpse into history. The Jefferson County Courthouse built in 1845 houses a museum containing many historic photographs and is the same courthouse the legendary Davy Crockett entered in order to obtain his marriage license.
     Beautiful Dandridge is bordered by Douglas Lake. Formed from the French Broad River and its tributaries of the Nolichucky and Pigeon Rivers, Douglas Lake's 30,400 acres of water surface and 555 miles of shoreline attract more than 1.7 million visitors a year. The Perfect Picnic Place can be found everywhere around Douglas Lake; the crown on the head of regal Dandridge.
     And did you know Dandridge was recently named one of our country's " Dozen Distinctive Destinations?"
     As that old hymn says, "Keep on the sunnyside, always on the sunnyside..." The Sunnyside Trail, that is, running through Dandridge,Tennessee and those backroads and byways where rivers were highways winding ever upward on the Trails of Tennessee.


     And now for that Perfect Picnic Place dessert recipe modified from The Martha ( Dandridge Custis) Washington Cookbook.