Johnson's Literary Depot (Johnson City, Tennessee)

USA / Tennessee / Johnson City / Johnson City, Tennessee / East Main Street (SR-91), 333

store / shop, building, bookstore, 1979_construction, 20th century construction, used book store, 1970s construction

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Other names: JLD

The original two-story building on the west side (327 E Main St.) was constructed between around early 1923 to late-September 1923 as the Wofford Building, that building used to house insurance agencies Wofford Brothers (September 30, 1923 [originally located at the Harr Building at 301 E Main St.{?} {building demolished around late 1930's, currently a vacant People's Bank Building}])-c. mid-March 1964 (relocated to the Miller-Artz Building at 316 E Main St. [across the street from here] and reopened on March 20, 1964), Johnson City Insurance Agency, Inc. ([space shared with Wofford Brothers] March 1, 1962 (originally located at 202 E Market St.)-c. mid-March 1964 (relocated to the Miller-Artz Building at 316 E Main St. [across the street from here] and reopened on March 20, 1964), political organization 1st District Republican Headquarters (September 5, 1964-Election Day, November 3, 1964), and evangelical church Leighton Ford Crusade Center/Leighton Ford Evangelistic Crusade Center/Leighton Ford Upper East Tennessee Crusade (May 6, 1965-c. late 1965?). After the last business left, the annual Southern Contemporary Art Show was held in that building three times: March 8-11, 1967, March 7-9, 1968, and March 5-8, 1969. While the second original (larger) building at the northwestern corner of Main St. and Colonial Way was constructed around the early 1920's, it was a two-story two-store building. The first half of that large building (329 E Main St.) used to house utility companies Gas Co./Washington County Gas Co. (c. March 29, 1926 [originally located at 331 E Main St. {just next door east from here}]-c. September 1945), Watauga Valley Gas Co. (c. September 1945-c. May 1948 [{swapped building spaces with Home Federal Savings and Loan Association} relocated to 331 E Main St. {just next door east from here}]), and financial office/bank Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (c. May 1948 [{swapped building spaces with Watauga Valley Gas Co.} originally located at 331 E Main St. {just next door east from here}] but expanded into that original building space on January 30, 1954 after Watauga Valley Gas Co. moved out]-c. mid 1978 [relocated to the old Telephone Building at 208-210 E Market St.]); the second half of that large building (331 E Main St.) used to house a utility company office Gas Co./Washington County Gas Co. (c. mid-October 1923 [originally located at the Burrow Building {building no longer called by that name after it was devastated by fire on December 9, 1948} at 240 E Main St.]-c. March 27, 1926 [relocated to 329 E Main St.{just next door west from here} and reopened around March 29, 1926]), financial/insurance/real estate agency Security Investment Co. (April 1, 1926 [originally located at the Tennessee National Bank Building at 108 E Main St.]-c. August 23, 1941?), Security Realty Co. (c. January 1941-c. August 23, 1941 [relocated to 122 Spring St.]), insurance agency L.B. Spraker ([space shared with Security Investment Co.] c. March 9, 1940 [originally located at 122 Spring St.]-January 31, 1941 [relocated to the Miller-Artz Building at 320 E Main St.]), charity organization/clothing donation center Bundles for Britain (February 6, 1941-August 2, 1941 [relocated to Mayne Williams Public Library at Library Ln.]), insurance agency Toncray & Waddell ([space shared with Security Realty Company] May 4, 1941-c. August 23, 1941 [relocated to 122 Spring St.]) financial office/bank Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (December 1, 1941 [originally located at 112 Spring St.]-c. May 1948 [{swapped building spaces with Watauga Valley Gas Co.} relocated to 329 E Main St. {just next door west from here}]; January 30, 1954 [expanded into the original building space after Watauga Valley Gas Co. moved out]-c. mid 1978 [relocated to the old Telephone Building a 208-210 E Market St.]), and utility company Watauga Valley Gas Co. (c. May 1948 [{swapped building spaces with Home Federal Savings and Loan Association} originally located at 329 E Main St. {just next door west from here}]-c. April 23, 1953 [relocated to 334 E Main St. and reopened on April 24, 1953 {building demolished around 1973}]); the second floor of that large building (329½ E Main St.) used to house a dressmaker/clothing repair shop Miss Annie Patton (February 3, 1924 [originally located at 228-230 E Main St., 2nd floor]-c. late 1924), mortgage broker's office National Mortgage Co. (February 18, 1926 [originally located at the Eagle Building at 229 E Main St., room 7]-c. late 1927), insurance agencies Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (c. mid 1928-c. Summer 1934), National Life & Accident Insurance Co. (c. September 1934-c. mid 1940's), accountant's office A.T. Hull & Son (September 1, 1929-c. early 1930's), typewriting services office Preston Typewriter Co., Inc. (1937-c. 1940's), census services office US Bureau of the Census (c. late 1948 [originally located at the Sells Building at 242½ E Main St., room 218]-c. November 1950), insurance agencies Home Beneficial Life Insurance Co. ([room 210] early 1951 [originally located at 242 Broad St.]-c. mid 1970's), Southland Life Insurance ([room 202] September 7, 1953-1960's), Appalachian Girl Scout Council ([room 201] January 4, 1954-late June 1961 [relocated to the Hamilton National Bank Building at 200 E Main St., room 708]), architect's offices Godwin & Rawls (, Inc.) (April 12, 1959-c. November 1966), Eugene L. Rawls, Inc. (c. November 1966-c. May 1975), insurance agency State Insurance Company of Tennessee ([room 206] c. early 1960's-c. mid 1960's?), real estate agency Monroe Realty Co. (November 26, 1962 [originally located at 219 E Unaka Ave.]-October 26, 1963 [relocated to the Professional Office Building at 2200 N Roan St. {building demolished around the 1990's} and reopened on October 28, 1963]), job application centers UpGrad Personnel/UpGrad Personnel Service(s) ([room 201] 1969-c. late 1970), Job Placement Service ([room 203] late 1970-c. Spring 1971), and philanthropic organization office United Fund ([room 206] 1970-March 22, 1978 [relocated to {old} South Jr. High School at S Roan St. {building demolished around late 1990's}]); the basement of that building used to house United Lutheran Church (c. late 1954-c. February 1957) and Our Savior Lutheran Church (c. February 1957 but organized on September 22, 1957 [originally located at the Mayne Williams Public Library]-early May 1963 [relocated to 212 Sunset Dr. and reopened on May 12, 1963]). While the building at the rear end of the Wofford Building (208-210 E Market St.) was constructed between around early 1923 and around September 1923 as the Telephone Building, that building used to house a telephone exchange center Inter-Mountain Telephone Co. from around November 1, 1923 until July 12, 1959 (relocated to 101 N Roan St. and reopened on July 13, 1959). That old building was purchased by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association on January 19, 1960 for expansion purposes. The (vacant) building at the corner of E Market St. and Colonial Way was also torn down as well (in the early 1960's) for the purpose of the bank's parking lot. The Wofford Building and the old Home Federal Building were both demolished around Summer 1978, while the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association was relocated temporarily to the old Telephone Building (located at the rear of the old Wofford Building at 208-210 E Market St.).

This current building was constructed around early 1979 with plantings, drive-up windows, remote teller units, and parking areas. The old Telephone Building is being attached to this current building, it is now used as an open parking garage on the ground floor, expanded offices and record storage on the second floor. This current building used to house banks Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (December 26, 1979 [originally located at the rear of the old Wofford Building at 208-210 E Market St.]-June 24, 1993), Johnson City Federal Credit Union (late-November 1993 [as a main office]-February 3, 2015), and Select Seven Credit Union (February 4, 2015-November 1, 2024 [main office relocated to 716 W Market St. and reopened on November 4, 2024]). It is now a local independent bookstore, opened on May 17, 2025 by owners Andrew and Ally McElroy.

We are more than just a place to buy books—we are a space where literature, art, and music come to life. Our cozy reading nooks and welcoming atmosphere make us the perfect spot to explore, discover, and connect.

Join one of our four themed book clubs, led by passionate community members. Engage in lively discussions and expand your literary horizons. Experience the best of local music and comedy nights, which bring together creatives and book lovers alike. Discover unique art pieces, journals, and handcrafted stationery from talented local makers.

Find a book club that interests you! Every Thursday night, you can join one of our book clubs! When you’re in a club, you also get 15% off your book club reads! Book club membership is only $5/month! One of the book clubs include: Appalachia: Local Authors & Indie Gems, Love & Lit: Modern Fiction & Romance, Timeless Tales: Classics, and Whodunit: Mystery/Thriller.

At one point the post office, general store, and train depot were the crossroads of knowledge, wisdom, and new ideas. Today, we were promised that the Internet and social media would be the same. Yet, the people got left out of the equation and became echo chambers somewhere along the way. There has always been a magical quality about bookstores, a place where the past and present, young and old, come together. A portal to the type of community we want. Even though the corporate bookstores and Amazon sterilized the human element, independent bookstores held on and made a resurgence once people knew that something truly special existed here and only here.

This is the feeling and community that Johnson’s Literary Depot is trying to build here in Johnson City. Come on down and enter into our depot of all things good.

From your favorite classics to new up-and-coming authors, we have it all. If we don’t have it, we can quickly order it for you! We specialize in local authors, local artists, and all things local. In addition to books, we have locally made artwork, music, and gifts.

We also love hosting community events! If your event is a free public event, we charge a flat fee based on regularity. If your event is a ticketed event, we charge a per-ticket hosting fee. If you are interested in having your event at Johnson’s Literary Depot, please stop by and tell us more about your idea!

We love our regulars and book clubbers. We offer regular offers and discounts to any Johnson’s Literary Depot customer, as well as special discounts and benefits for our book clubbers. Sign up for our regular loyalty program or sign up for our monthly book club subscription in-store.

Our Kids Read for Free program is our effort to increase literacy and instill a love for reading in the next generation. We operate off donations of money and gently used children’s books. Every child that walks through the door can either trade a book per book or if they don’t have any books to trade can walk away with one children’s book of their choice. Adults may buy books at a $1 per book and may donate additional funds for our Kids Read for Free program.

Johnson’s Literary Depot is more than just a bookstore, we are a community hub for all Johnson Citians. If the event is a free public event, we charge a flat fee based on the regularity of the event. If it is a ticketed event, we charge a per-ticket hosting fee. If it is a private event, you can inquire at in-store. For your event needs, please visit us in-store for more information and to tell us more about your wonderful idea!

333 E Main St.
Johnson City, TN 37601
Web: www.johnsonsliterarydepot.com/

Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm

External links
www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/johnson-s-literary-depot-...
www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/johnson-s-literary-depot-...
www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/business/new-and-used-boo...
www.timesnews.net/news/appalachian-highlands/johnson-s-...
www.timesnews.net/new-and-used-bookstore-coming-to-down...
www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-literary-depot-open-in-...
www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnsons-literary-depot-to-open...
www.wjhl.com/news/local/new-bookstore-johnsons-literary...
www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4964#m67411
open.spotify.com/episode/0w8Kzs8syyxLXcj7d8F2aR
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/241-the-vision-behind-joh...
share.transistor.fm/s/50965be2
fountain.fm/episode/ZtFHIwa5UIt2VSICPckQ
johnsoncitytn.civicweb.net/document/319779/
johnsoncitytn.civicweb.net/document/319778/Historic%20Z...
web.archive.org/web/20251022233123/scontent-lga3-2.cdni...
v16m-default.tiktokcdn.com/b28d8283ed0131a575298fb4609d...
v16m-default.tiktokcdn.com/ff930270cf6bb07c2343aa94f762...
v16m-default.tiktokcdn.com/453c2e694e3b5ffa047b4ee14ede...
www.wjhl.com/news/local/select-seven-distributes-holida... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/select-seven-credit-union-in-jo... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/select-7-credit-union-gives-awa... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/business/select-seven-to-... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/select-7-credit-union-gives-awa... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/select-7-credit-union-gives-awa... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/jcpd-man-charged-after-allegedl... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wvlt.tv/2021/02/09/east-tenn-man-arrested-after-all... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.johnsoncitypress.com/opinion/columns/select-seven-t... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/select-seven-credit-union-gifts-more-... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/select-seven-credit-union-annou... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
wcyb.com/news/local/select-seven-credit-union-gives-awa... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
wcyb.com/news/local/johnson-city-business-to-give-away-... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
wcyb.com/news/local/local-credit-union-distributes-turk... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/jcpd-sept-armed-robbery-suspect... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-police-searching-f... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/select-seven-credit-union-hands-out-2... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/select-seven-credit-union-to-give-awa... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.wjhl.com/news/select-seven-gives-away-250-turkeys-a... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
wcyb.com/news/tennessee-news/turkey-time-for-families-i... (former Select Seven Credit Union)
www.cutoday.info/Fresh-Today/Johnson-City-FCU-Selects-N... (former Johnson City Federal Credit Union/Select Seven Credit Union)
www.cutimes.com/2015/02/03/credit-unions-debut-new-name... (former Johnson City Federal Credit Union/Select Seven Credit Union)
www.cujournal.com/news/cu-gets-new-name-after-fom-expan... (former Johnson City Federal Credit Union/Select Seven Credit Union)
www.johnsoncitypress.com/frontpage/2014/02/01/Johnson-C... (former Johnson City Federal Credit Union)
www.cutimes.com/2013/01/30/johnson-city-fcu-in-east-ten... (former Johnson City Federal Credit Union)
www.johnsoncitypress.com/law-enforcement/2015/03/25/Joh...
jcpd.blogspot.com/2015/03/felony-arrest-of-eddie-eugene...
www.northamericanbuildings.com/floor-plans/johnson-city... (former Johnson City Federal Credit Union)
www.loopnet.com/Listing/13871480/333-E-Main-Street-John... (about the bank building)
bcyesteryear.com/washington-county-gas-company-introduc... (former Washington County Gas Co., Watauga Valley Gas Co., Security Investment Co., Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, and other businesses that were located here in this spot)
vintagepaper.store/antique-business-card-american-life-... (former National Life & Accident Insurance Co.)

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