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The small plane spotted in flight just before 9 a.m. above the continually developing Merchants Greene area in West Morristown was an appropriate sight, considering the brief ceremony to be held on the hour.

The City of Morristown dedicated its newest road, Evelyn Johnson Way. The road is momentous, both for its location as well as its namesake.

Evelyn Johnson Way is a two-lane roadway – three-tenths of a mile in length – that leads from Veterans Parkway to Durham Landing. Durham Landing is home to the City’s Public Works Complex and Morristown Landing, the City’s new Recreation & Event Center.

The ceremony was held in partnership with the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce at its Durham Landing entrance point that is fed by the roundabout located in front of Morristown Landing.

This new roadway will provide valuable access to the Landing and Public Works facilities and will open new development potential for properties along Evelyn Johnson Way. With recent increased development occurring on Morristown’s west side, this road will help to limit the number of dedicated driveways for developments along Merchants Greene. Work on this project began this past winter and was completed by local contractor East TN Turf & Landscape.

When choosing the name for the road, City leaders sought to honor the legacy of aviation pioneer and local hero, Evelyn Johnson.

“You know, there are a number of ways to permanently remember someone who deserves to be remembered because they made significant contributions to a community,” Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney said during his official remarks. “To do this correctly is to make sure that recognition is lasting. Lasting beyond the lives of the person who earned it, and to last beyond the lives of those who knew them. I think we are accomplishing that today.”

Johnson played an integral role in the Morristown Regional Airport, serving as a flight instructor and manager of the airport. Throughout her career, she trained more pilots than any other pilot and held the Guinness World Record for most flying hours of any woman and the most of any living person.

With its close proximity to the airport, the roadway and Morristown Landing seek to pay tribute to Evelyn Johnson as well as the rich aviation history in the community.

Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney said of the roadway, “We’re very pleased to be able to connect the legacy of Evelyn Johnson to our new community center, The Landing, a name selected due to its proximity to our Municipal Airport where ‘Mama Bird’ Johnson made such an impact.”

In attendance for the road dedication were several members of The Ninety-Nines: Jean Hammer, Sheila Kidwell and Nancy McGinnis.

Chesney provided a bit of history about the organization.

“Did you know that in November of 1929, at a small airfield in Long Island, New York, 117 licensed women pilots were invited to organize a group for mutual support. Two years later, Amelia Earhart was elected the first president of the group which became The Ninety-Nines,” he said.

The Ninety-Nines’ name was derived from the number of certified women pilots who were charter members. The international organization of female pilots promote advancement of aviation. Evelyn Johnson’s legacy continues to live on through the women and the many pilots she trained and the planes that fly in and out of Morristown Regional Airport every day.

“I can’t confirm that Evelyn taught Amelia to fly, or even vice-versa, but that group has endured and I would like to recognize some of today’s members of the Ninety-Nines who are here with us,” Chesney said, before introducing Hammer, Kidwell and McGinnis.

Hammer, age 90, is a lifetime member of the Chapter and was active in the Chapter when Johnson was an active member.

Local government officials who attended the ceremony included Morristown Vice-Mayor Tommy Pedigo; City Councilmembers: Al A’Hearn, Joseph Senter and Kay Senter; City Administrator Tony Cox, Assistant City Administrator Larry Clark; Assistant City Administrator Andrew Ellard and Hamblen County Commissioner Debbie A’Hearn.

Also recognized were Michael Poteet, project manager; John Bell, property owner, Paul LeBel, LeBel Commercial Realty (assisted with property acquisition); Tyler Overbay, East Tennessee Turf and Landscape; Steve Eaton, Morristown Landing; and Rascal the Raccoon, Morristown Landing mascot.

“I’m certain Evelyn Johnson Way is going to be the most heavily-used entrance way to Morristown Landing. And those drivers and their passengers are going to see on the street sign the name that will be there from now on,” Chesney said. “Because it deserves to be remembered, both now and beyond, by all of us.”

The anticipated heavy usage was confirmed in part by a number of cars waiting in line at the roundabout to make the right turn onto the new roadway as the ceremony ended.

-This story included information from a press release provided by City of Morristown staff.