Jan. 7, 1862: According to âThe Railroads of Johnson Cityâ by Johnny Graybeal, Henry Johnson âsold his son John M., then age 22 a half-acre lot next to his depot building. The lot contained a house and was part of the original half-acre lot purchased in 1854. By this time, the phrase âJohnsonâs Depotâ was in common usage by the Register of Deeds office to denote land in that area.â Jan. 7, 1886: Readers of The Comet learned, âMr. T.S. Patty, Emigrant Agent, of Portland, Oregon, was in the city last week. He is getting up an excursion to leave this place from the 1st to the 13th of May, for his State. He will work all through this section. Mr. Patty is a brother of our townsman, R.S. Patty.â