Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex
Mountain Home National Cemetery is located in the northeastern section of Tennessee in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains within the city limits of Johnson City. The cemetery is on the grounds of the Mountain Home Veterans Administration Center.
Originally known as the Mountain Home Branch of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteered Soldiers, the facility was the product of sustained efforts by Tennessee Congressman Walter Preston Brownlow. In 1901 Congress approved a bill introduced by Brownlow to establish a national home in the Johnson City area. A designated board of managers chose a 450-acre site and commissioned New York architect J. H. Freedlander to design 36 French Renaissance-style buildings. The home opened October 15, 1903. Five years later, special dispensation was granted to permit the interment of Congressman Brownlow in the Mountain Home cemetery. He and his wife occupy the only graves inside Monument Circle.
The Mountain Home Branch of the National Homes was the ninth, and last, of its kind funded by Congress to care for Union veterans of the Civil War. In 1973, it was transferred to the Veterans Administration and the home cemetery became a national cemetery.
The cemetery is part of the Mountain Home Branch-National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers National Historic Landmark district, designated on June 17, 2011.
Monuments and Memorials This cemetery contains no monuments or memorials.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Lieutenant Frederick Clarence Buck (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 21st Connecticut Infantry, for actions at Chapin's Farm, VA, on September 29, 1864. Buck died in 1905 and is buried in Section F, Row 1, Site 9.
Sergeant Henry G.
Buhrman (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company H, 54th Ohio Infantry, for actions at Vicksburg, MS, May 22, 1863. Buhrman died in 1906 and is buried in Section C, Row 2, Site 12.
Seaman Thomas Smith (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy for actions on board the USS Magnolia, St. Marks, FL, March 5–6, 1865. He died in 1905 and is buried in Section G, Row 1, Site 3.
Staff Sergeant Junior James Spurrier (World War II).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company G, 134th Infantry, 35th Infantry Division, for actions in northeastern France at Achain, November 13, 1944. He died in 1984 and is buried in Section HH, Row 15, Site 8.
Other Burials Mexican-American War Unknowns: Mountain Home National Cemetery holds the remains of 16 unknown U.S.
soldiers from the First Tennessee Infantry who were killed or mortally wounded at the Battle of Monterrey (September 21, 1846). Excavated over a period stretching from 1996–2011, their remains were repatriated in 2016 and interred here in 2025.
Eligibility for burial at Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
Directions From the Tri-City Airport: Turn left onto Highway 75 and proceed four miles. Turn left onto Highway 36 south and go approximately 10 miles. Highway 36 then turns into Highway 11E. Proceed on 11E south to the 9th traffic light. This is the intersection of West Market (11E) and Veterans Way. Turn left onto Veterans Way. Continue three blocks to the entrance of James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Cemetery is on the right.
Directions From the Mountain Home Historical Cemetery: At the main gates, follow Memorial Boulevard towards the Post Office. At the stop sign, turn right onto Ashe St. Follow Ashe to the next intersection. Turn left onto Fifth St. Follow Fifth St. to the next stop sign. Going straight, it becomes W. Lake St. Follow W. Lake St. 1/2 block to the Mountain Home Cemetery sign. Turn right at the sign – this is Heroes Drive. The next building on the right is the administration office.
Floral and grounds policy
Our cemetery floral policies are posted on the floral storage receptacles located throughout the cemetery. We welcome fresh-cut flowers throughout the year and provide flower containers for gravesite displays as a courtesy. Once the flowers become unsightly, we will remove them. They also may be removed for routine maintenance.
Limited floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial can be placed on the completed grave.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Mountain Home National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Mountain Home National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex (by straight-line distance):
- Mountain Home National Cemetery — Mountain Home, TN (0 mi · open)
- Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery — Black Mountain, NC (48 mi · open)
- Kentucky Veterans Cemetery - Southeast — Hyden, KY (82 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Birchette Mortuary, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 219 East Millard St. in Johnson City, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including warm and comfortable offices. General services start at $6,040.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 2001 East Oakland Avenue in Johnson City, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including dogwood chapel, oak hall, and hospitality center. Professional offerings include traditional funeral service, memorial service, and committal service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,850. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,350, while direct cremation is available from $3,850. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Non-Denominational, United Methodist, Episcopal, and Baptist. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.8-star Google rating across 126 reviews.
Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 418 West College Street in Jonesborough, TN. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include cremation services and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,940. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,850, while direct cremation is available from $2,940. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Christian Church.
Snyder's Memorial Gardens, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 5913 Kingsport Highway in Johnson City, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including cemetery gardens, mausoleum, and cremation niches. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation services, and direct cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $810. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,000. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Christian (Non-denominational), Full Gospel, Methodist, Catholic, and Episcopal.
Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 101 East F St. in Elizabethton, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, sunset chapel, and reception area. Professional offerings include immediate need services, traditional services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,415. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,150, while direct cremation is available from $1,415. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Methodist, Presbyterian, and Christian (general).
Tetrick Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 211 North Riverside Dr. in Elizabethton, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including riverside funeral chapel. Professional offerings include immediate need, service overview, and traditional services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,460. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,150, while direct cremation is available from $3,460. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian denominations (including Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Christian Church traditions).
East Tennessee Funeral Home & Cremation Services is a premier funeral home located at 2630 Hwy. 75 in Blountville, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, grief resource center, and memorial park. Professional offerings include personalized service, cremation, and traditional funeral service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,045. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian, Presbyterian, and Catholic.
East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park is a premier funeral home located at 4997 Memorial Boulevard in Kingsport, TN. The property features well-appointed spaces including audio and video equipment, cemetery spaces, and chapel. Professional offerings include arrangements by phone or email, assisting with travel arrangements, and 24-hour compassion helpline®, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,720. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,195, while direct cremation is available from $1,720. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist Funeral Traditions, Catholic Funeral Traditions, Christian Funeral Traditions, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu Funeral Traditions, Jewish Funeral Traditions, Muslim Funeral Traditions, and Black Funeral Traditions.