Union Camp Falls

Union Camp Falls is a small waterfall in a beautiful setting in Macon County, TN. An ankle-deep stream by the name Long Fork tumbles about 8 feet over the rocks here. The area got it's name because apparently some union soldiers camped here during the Civil War.

To get here, take highway 262 (also known as Union Camp Rd.) southeast away from Lafayette. After a few miles, on your left will be a road that slopes down from the highway for Union Missionary Baptist Church. Drive down this road past the church for a few hundred feet and you'll see a spot where a very small stream flows over the road. Before you cross that, to your right will be a place for a car or two to pull over.

UPDATE: Someone left this comment on my blog about this waterfall: Keep off private property .. Please remove this!!!

Here is my response: Perhaps this is private property, but if so, you have a bigger problem than me. The Tennessee Department of Tourism listed this as stop #43 on the Ring of Fire Byway as part of their Tennessee Trails and Byways program. See it here: tntrailsandbyways.com/trail/11/ring-of-fire/?p=3

Red Barn in Red Boiling Springs, TN

Macon County Courthouse at Dusk - Lafayette, TN

Located in Lafayette's town square, this is Macon County's 4th courthouse. The brick building was designed by E. Tate & Son, completed in 1933 at a cost of $16,000 and renovated in the 1970s.

Macon County Courthouse and Fountain at Dusk - Lafayette, TN

Located in Lafayette's town square, this is Macon County's 4th courthouse. The brick building was designed by E. Tate & Son, completed in 1933 at a cost of $16,000 and renovated in the 1970s.

Welcome to Red Boiling Springs sign

The water is flowing around Red Boiling Springs. There have been five different types of mineral spring water found in the area, and their names were based on how much exposure they had to shale rock: Black, Red, White, Freestone and Double and Twist. At the city turned into a resort town, many of the places that had a spring were capped with a hand-operated pump like the one seen on the sign.

Lafayette Cinema at Dusk

Located just off of the Lafayette town square, is this 1935 single screen theater.

Union Camp Falls

Union Camp Falls is a small waterfall in a beautiful setting in Macon County, TN. An ankle-deep stream by the name Long Fork tumbles about 8 feet over the rocks here. The area got it's name because apparently some union soldiers camped here during the Civil War.

To get here, take highway 262 (also known as Union Camp Rd.) southeast away from Lafayette. After a few miles, on your left will be a road that slopes down from the highway for Union Missionary Baptist Church. Drive down this road past the church for a few hundred feet and you'll see a spot where a very small stream flows over the road. Before you cross that, to your right will be a place for a car or two to pull over.

Red Boiling Springs Welcome Center

This cute little building is located along the main road (highway TN 151) that connects the center of the small town with all of the historic hotels.

Donoho Hotel Neon Sign

The Donoho Hotel is one of three old-fashioned resort hotels in Red Boiling Springs, TN. It is the only one with an old crusty neon sign.

Church St. Covered Bridge - Red Boiling Springs

Here, Church St. crosses Salt Lick Creek as one of the two bridges near the middle of town. It is still open for vehicle traffic, although, if you've never done it before, it can be disconcerting to drive over a wooden bridge! It makes a great rolling, popping and creaking set of noises.

Covered Pedestrian Bridge at The Donoho Hotel - Red Boiling Springs

The Donoho along with The Armour and The Cloyd (now the Thomas House) are the big three old fashioned resort hotels of Red Boiling Springs. I suppose these days, the pedestrian bridge over the Salt Lick Creek here is more for looks than for use. (Who needs to walk to the street?) But, I am glad they have kept it looking nice.

The Donoho Hotel

Along with The Armour and The Cloyd (now the Thomas House) it is one of the big three old fashioned resort hotels of Red Boiling Springs. Of the three, I think this one looks the most Majestic, as the entire building is more than twice as wide as what you can see here.

This goes back to the days, for instance the 1920's, when people couldn't travel as far as they do today, plus people believed in the mystical healing powers of bathing in mineral water which bubbles up from the ground. Today, this hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.