Cumberland Mountain State Park Stone Arch Bridge

Also known as Byrd Creek Bridge, this concrete stone arch bridge is the centerpiece of the Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, TN. Here, a dam was built on Byrd Creek forming a lake on the southeast side. Highway TN419 carries the seven span bridge which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Cumberland Homesteads Historic District. Byrd Creek Dam is the largest masonry structure ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Here is the text of the nearby historic marker:

Men of the Civilian Conservation Corps' Company 3464 built this unsuspended bridge between 1935 and 1940, for a 30-acre impoundment of Byrd's Creek. Three thousand five hundred and fifty cubic yards of dirt and rock were excavated and the core, containing 8,000 tons of concrete, is faced with Crab Orchard stone for the 319-foot span. Seven spillways, rising 28 feet above the stream bed, carry the 18-foot roadway approximately 16 feet above water level.

Crossville, TN Post Office

Built in 1937. In 1991, the building was rededicated as the Milo Lemert Building honoring of the Medal of Honor winner and World War I hero from Cumberland County.

Cumberland Mountain State Park Stone Arch Bridge

Also known as Byrd Creek Bridge, this concrete stone arch bridge is the centerpiece of the Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, TN. Here, a dam was built on Byrd Creek forming a lake on the southeast side. Highway TN419 carries the seven span bridge which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Cumberland Homesteads Historic District. Byrd Creek Dam is the largest masonry structure ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Here is the text of the nearby historic marker:

Men of the Civilian Conservation Corps' Company 3464 built this unsuspended bridge between 1935 and 1940, for a 30-acre impoundment of Byrd's Creek. Three thousand five hundred and fifty cubic yards of dirt and rock were excavated and the core, containing 8,000 tons of concrete, is faced with Crab Orchard stone for the 319-foot span. Seven spillways, rising 28 feet above the stream bed, carry the 18-foot roadway approximately 16 feet above water level.

Cumberland Truck Stop old neon sign

This is an example of a business in a location that probably once thrived when this was an important highway, but is not very traveled today with the newer Interstate system.

The old Cumberland Truck Stop is in Cumberland County just east of Crossville. Over the years, the highway has been known as the Memphis-to-Bristol Highway, TN1, Broadway of America and US70

In the news: Rock City Barns get repainted

Recently, a See Rock City barn near Crossville, TN was repainted. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has the story and includes a slideshow. You can see the article here:

Barn bearing iconic "See Rock City" sign gets a fresh coat of paint

Here is a photo of the same barn taken in 2006. Back then, it looked like it hadn't been too long since the previous repaint. This barn is east of Crossville along highway TN68 in the Grassy Cove area of Cumberland County.



Rock City's facebook page also shared this photo of another recent repaint:

Not so long ago we did this See Rock City barn repaint - today (hoping for no rain) we're on the road again doing...

Posted by Rock City on Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Cumberland Mountain State Park Stone Arch Bridge in October

Also known as Byrd Creek Bridge, this concrete stone arch bridge is the centerpiece of the Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, TN. Here, a dam was built on Byrd Creek forming a lake on the southeast side. Highway TN419 carries the seven span bridge which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Cumberland Homesteads Historic District. Byrd Creek Dam is the largest masonry structure ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Here is the text of the nearby historic marker:

Men of the Civilian Conservation Corps' Company 3464 built this unsuspended bridge between 1935 and 1940, for a 30-acre impoundment of Byrd's Creek. Three thousand five hundred and fifty cubic yards of dirt and rock were excavated and the core, containing 8,000 tons of concrete, is faced with Crab Orchard stone for the 319-foot span. Seven spillways, rising 28 feet above the stream bed, carry the 18-foot roadway approximately 16 feet above water level.

When You See Rock City, You See the Best

Located along highway TN68 in Cumberland County

The "Old" Cumberland Co. Courthouse - Crossville, TN

The "New" Courthouse (inasmuch as you can call a 1905 building new) is across Main Street from this building. This was built in 1886 and much of the inside was destroyed by fire in 1905. It was restored and used as a school for a while. Now it is home to the Military Memorial Museum of Upper Cumberland.

Like most every other building in the area, the courthouse exterior is made of Crab Orchard stone. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cumberland Mountain State Park Stone Arch Bridge

Also known as Byrd Creek Bridge, this concrete stone arch bridge is the centerpiece of the Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, TN. Here, a dam was built on Byrd Creek forming a lake on the southeast side. Highway TN419 carries the seven span bridge which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Cumberland Homesteads Historic District. Byrd Creek Dam is the largest masonry structure ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Here is the text of the nearby historic marker:

Men of the Civilian Conservation Corps' Company 3464 built this unsuspended bridge between 1935 and 1940, for a 30-acre impoundment of Byrd's Creek. Three thousand five hundred and fifty cubic yards of dirt and rock were excavated and the core, containing 8,000 tons of concrete, is faced with Crab Orchard stone for the 319-foot span. Seven spillways, rising 28 feet above the stream bed, carry the 18-foot roadway approximately 16 feet above water level.

See 7 States from Rock City

SEE 7 STATES
FROM
ROCK CITY
Worlds 8th Wonder Chatt. Tenn

If this Rock City barn looks familiar, you may have seen it before. It's the barn on the cover of the Rock City Barn book by David Jenkins. (Although his picture was taken when the leaves turned in the fall, while standing on the farm with sheep in the foreground, when the dusk light was perfect.)

TN Highway 68 in Cumberland County leaves Crossville, and a bit later after a hilly, curvy area, the road becomes flat and strait and this barn lines up to your vision. A mile up the road is this Rock City Barn. Highway TN68 continues on to US27, which heads south into Chattanooga.

This is one of 81 different Rock City Barns I have photographed and uploaded to Flickr in my Rock City Barns set. People often ask me how I've found so many of them. I have drawn from many resources such as books and web sites and sometimes luck, but there's not really one "go to" place to find them all. Well, now on my website, I have tried to create a one stop source for the locations of all of the barns I've been to. On my Map of Rock City Barns page, I have plotted each barn on a Google Map.

Post Card Tuesday: Ozone Falls

Ozone Falls on U.S. Highway No. 70
In the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee

Ozone Falls is one of those places that is very scenic but not as popular as it was perhaps 50 years ago. It is really convenient to the Older US70, as there are several gravel parking spaces right along the highway. But these days, people may travel through here along US 70 if they're going to Ozone Falls, as Interstate 40 is a much more convenient method of getting up and over the mountains between Cookeville and Crossville.

Now personally, I've stopped here twice. You get out of your car, and it's about a minute walk to get to the top of the waterfall. There's no guardrails, or any other safety measures here, so it may not be the best place for pets or unsupervised children. Also, to get the view in the picture here requires going to a little effort, and both times I didn't have the time to make the effort, so I've only seen it from above. It's not as impressive, but I did see this:



A senior tour group also stopped to see the top of the falls. Impressed by the 110 foot drop, the lady in green wanted a picture, so she's hanging her head and arms over the edge to snap a shot. The lady in red is holding the feet of the first lady. The lady in brown is there I guess in case the lady in red keels over, or somesuch. Finally, the guy wants no part of it.



My wife wanted a look, but I chickened out, so I took a picture of her being brave.

This is not a state park, but is designated a state natural area. Finally, the Disney movie Jungle Book had some scenes filmed here.

See Rock City & Country Trading Post

A few months ago, I got an email from a lady named Sharon, who found this photo online. As it turns out, this barn used to belong to the family of her husband.

Near the small town of Lake Tansi in Cumberland County, TN along state highway 282 is this See Rock City Barn. The barn was built in the 1930's when the family of Sharon's husband moved there. The Rock City ad hadn't been added until after that family had sold the property in the late 60's.

This may be one of the newer Rock City barns, as it isn't listed in the thorough David Jenkins boook Rock City Barns. The current owners have converted the barn into the Country Trading Post, however they weren't open on the day I visited. They also have quite the liscense plate collection, (See large size).

Cumberland Co. Courthouse - Crossville, TN

Located in Crossville, TN, this courthouse was built in 1905 to replace the older courthouse located across the street. The older courthouse was damaged but not completely destroyed by a fire. The damage was severe enough that a new courthouse was needed, but the old courthouse was repaired and is now used as a military museum.

The building, like many in the area, is construced using the distinctive local Crab Orchard Stone.. This stone is a rare sandstone from nearby Crab Orcahrd Mountain and is noted for it's color streaks and differing shades of brown.

The courthouse cost $23,000 to build in 1905. It's two stories and has a monumental entrance consisting of dual arches, large 2nd story windows and a stepped gable.

Around the rest of the exterior on the first floor is a strongly articulated horizontal stone course, whereas the second floor has a smooth aslar finish. Atop the courthouse is an elaborate clock tower in the center of the roof. At each corner of the building are slightly lowered projecting octagonal bays.

Although there are several unusual features, this courthouse is similar to the now gone Lawrence County Courthouse which was also built in 1905. The courthouses are also listed on the National register of Historic Places.

About a year ago, in April 2008, the lawn of the courthouse was newsworthy. The county had established this area as a free speech zone, which prompted people leaving permanent displays there. The county was fine with this until they received many complaints of a statue of the Flying Spagetti Monster, and they announced that all displays had to be taken down. The full story is here.

Cumberland Co. Courthouse: full straight view

Located in Crossville, TN, this courthouse was built in 1905 to replace the older courthouse located across the street. The older courthouse was damaged but not completely destroyed by a fire. The damage was severe enough that a new courthouse was needed, but the old courthouse was repaired and is now used as a military museum.

The building, like many in the area, is construced using the distinctive local Crab Orchard Stone.. This stone is a rare sandstone from nearby Crab Orcahrd Mountain and is noted for it's color streaks and differing shades of brown.

The courthouse cost $23,000 to build in 1905. It's two stories and has a monumental entrance consisting of dual arches, large 2nd story windows and a stepped gable.

Around the rest of the exterior on the first floor is a strongly articulated horizontal stone course, whereas the second floor has a smooth aslar finish. Atop the courthouse is an elaborate clock tower in the center of the roof. At each corner of the building are slightly lowered projecting octagonal bays.

Although there are several unusual features, this courthouse is similar to the now gone Lawrence County Courthouse which was also built in 1905. The courthouses are also listed on the National register of Historic Places.

About a year ago, in April 2008, the lawn of the courthouse was newsworthy. The county had established this area as a free speech zone, which prompted people leaving permanent displays there. The county was fine with this until they received many complaints of a statue of the Flying Spagetti Monster, and they announced that all displays had to be taken down. The full story is here.

Impressed by the 100 foot drop

If you can see the water to the left of these people, that is Fall Creek which goes over the edge 110 feet to the bottom of the gorge to become Ozone Falls.

These people, who drove up from Florida really want to see over the edge. The lady in green is holding her digital camera to shoot strait down while the lady in red holds her. It's quite a scary spot that I wouldn't want to walk to - I'd probably crawl to the edge as well.

Ozone falls is an easily accessible waterfall - at least at the top. You can get to this spot with about a two minute walk from the small parking area by walking across flat rocks. However, there's no guard rails anywhere so it's not the best place for children. A better view of the falls can be had from below in a short but strenuous trail.

One final note: Certain scenes from the 1994 Disney movie Jungle Book were filmed at this waterfall with it's easy to reach base.

Coal Miner's Otter

As more and more cities decide upon a town animal mascot that they place statues of all around, Crossville, TN has recently settled on the Otter. I was told by the lady in the gift shop of the Crossville Depot where this is located that Otters, once common, are now near extinct in many parts of Tennessee, but not in Crossville. Coal Miner's Otter seems like such a perfect name, but alas, this is Franky. Franky represents the mining activity of Cumberland County and was donated by Franklin Industrial Materials.

In the vein of 'It's not funny if I have to explain it,' the title is a pun based on Middle Tennessee's Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn, who now lives in Hurricane Mills.

Sadly, I never found a "Welcome Back, Otter"

Tennessee Highway Patrol Office - Crossville

Crossville, TN - Built in 1936 - This quite small bungalow was made of Crab Orchard Stone, like so many of the buildings in Crossville - located on Main St. next door to the Cumberland County Courthouse - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Cumberland County Courthouse - Crossville, TN

Located in Crossville, TN, this courthouse was built in 1905 to replace the older courthouse located across the street. The older courthouse was damaged but not completely destroyed by a fire. The damage was severe enough that a new courthouse was needed, but the old courthouse was repaired and is now used as a military museum.

The building, like many in the area, is construced using the distinctive local Crab Orchard Stone. This stone is a rare sandstone from nearby Crab Orcahrd Mountain and is noted for it's color streaks and differing shades of brown.

The courthouse cost $23,000 to build in 1905. It's two stories and has a monumental entrance consisting of dual arches, large 2nd story windows and a stepped gable.

Around the rest of the exterior on the first floor is a strongly articulated horizontal stone course, whereas the second floor has a smooth aslar finish. Atop the courthouse is an elaborate clock tower in the center of the roof. At each corner of the building are slightly lowered projecting octagonal bays.

Although there are several unusual features, this courthouse is similar to the now gone Lawrence County Courthouse which was also built in 1905. The courthouses are also listed on the National register of Historic Places.

About a year ago, in April 2008, the lawn of the courthouse was newsworthy. The county had established this area as a free speech zone, which prompted people leaving permanent displays there. The county was fine with this until they received many complaints of a statue of the Flying Spagetti Monster, and they announced that all displays had to be taken down. The full story is here.

The "Old" Cumberland County, TN Courthouse

Crossville, TN

The "New" Courthouse (inasmuch as you can call a 1905 building new) is across Main Street from this building. This was built in 1886 and much of the inside was destroyed by fire in 1905. It was restored and used as a school for a while. Now it is home to the Military Memorial Museum of Upper Cumberland.

Like most every other building in the area, the courthouse exterior is made of Crab Orchard stone. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located on Main St. (U.S. 127)