Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers facts for kids
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Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
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The Brownlow Monument in the Mountain Home National Cemetery
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lamont St., Johnson City, Tennessee |
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| NRHP reference No. | 11000560 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 17, 2011 |
| Designated NHLD | June 17, 2011 |
The Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was a special place built in 1904. It was like a home for soldiers who had been hurt or needed help after serving their country. This home was located in Mountain Home, Tennessee, near Johnson City, Tennessee.
Today, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs uses this site. It includes the Mountain Home National Cemetery and the James H. Quillen VA Center. In 2011, this important campus became a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very special historic place. It shows how veterans were cared for in the early 1900s.
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A Home for Veterans
The National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS) was an organization created by the U.S. government. It started near the end of the American Civil War. Its main goal was to help soldiers from the Union Army who were disabled or needed support.
Founding the Mountain Branch
Between 1865 and 1930, the NHDVS opened eleven different homes across the country. The Mountain Branch was one of these. It was started in 1901 thanks to the efforts of Congressman Walter P. Brownlow.
Land for the campus was bought soon after the law was passed. Most of the buildings were constructed between 1901 and 1903. The home opened its doors in 1903, even before everything was finished.
Campus Design and Style
The campus was designed by Joseph H. Freelander, an architect from New York City. He used the Beaux Arts style, which is a grand and formal type of architecture. Carl Andersen was the landscape designer.
Many of the original buildings are still standing today. They are part of the current VA campus. These buildings show off the Beaux Arts style. Some people thought the buildings looked a bit too fancy for their rural location.
Changes Over Time
In 1930, the NHDVS became part of the Veterans Administration. This is now known as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. More buildings were added around this time.
Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, even more construction happened. This was after the VA made a new plan for the site.
The National Cemetery
The Mountain Home National Cemetery was created in 1903. This was common for NHDVS facilities. Many of these homes had cemeteries nearby for the veterans.
Today, most of the campus is still used by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It serves as the James H. Quillen VA Center, continuing its mission to help veterans.
