"The Town That Wouldn't Drown" - Old Butler, TN in Johnson County was once a thriving community on the shores of the Watauga River and along the railroad which carried timber and produce down the mountain and citizens and visitors up. Today, Butler is once again a growing community of citizens interested in promoting the beauty of the Iron Mountain range in the Cherokee National Forest, part of the Appalachian Mountains. One of the best ways to explore Butler is to stay at the Iron Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast. Here you will find a knowledgeable innkeeper who can help you explore the area according to your interests. Hiking trails, bass, trout and walleye fishing in Watauga Lake, exploring the coves and shores of the lake by pontoon boat and how about jumping off the boat into the delicious waters of Watauga - it's not a cold mountain lake. In fact, sometimes in summer it gets up in the 80's if we've had lots of sun. Along the shores of Watauga in the Carter County section of Butler, sits the Cottage on Watauga Lake with the lawn running right into the water. There is a museum telling the story of Butler from its earliest beginnings in the mists of time to the native Americans who roamed this lush green valley to Daniel Boone and other explorers who crossed the mountains to explore "the first frontier". Today there are sections of the Appalachian Trail` in the area. These trails will take you to waterfalls, over boulders and along trails used by the earliest settlers. Imagine what it must have been like to come upon a ribbon of water into which all the streams and creeks flowed with clear crisp drinking water. Daniel Boone rested himself and his horse here along the Watauga. In fact, he left his horse, Old Roan, to rest and when Boone returned in a couple of years, once again he was reunited with Roan who was fat and sassy with a glistening coat. We invite you to visit, meet the citizens of Butler and, like so many others, you may never want to leave.