Cumberland Mountain State Park

Laurie, my better half, rightfully pointed out that in my 7/29/11 blog about the Cumberland Mountain State Park Restaurant, I’d mentioned the great view of Byrd Lake from the dining room… But, I’d failed to include a corresponding photo for my blog site visitors to check out!

Well, here is the photo that Laurie took from the dining room.  Byrd Lake is a beautiful little 50 acre lake/reservoir.  I didn’t include it with my blog on the park’s restaurant because I wanted to research and write a bit about the park and its history, especially as pertains to the Byrd Creek Dam.  

On August 30, 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corp, (CCC), began construction of what was then called the Cumberland Homesteads Park.  The 1,720 acre park was part of the Greater Cumberland Homestead Project, a ‘New Deal’ depression era initiative that was the brainchild of the Resettlement Administration. (For more on the Resettlement Administration, check it out at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resettlement_Administration.

What is now Cumberland Mountain State Park, was deeded to Tennessee by the US government in 1938.  From 1938 until 1940, the park supervisor was WWI war hero, Alvin C. York.  He left the position in 1940 to assist with the production of the movie, “Sergeant York”.  

There are many facilities and activities available in the park.  These include rental paddleboats, canoes, row boats and fishing boats with electric trolling motors, swimming, board games, hiking and other sports.  There are also 145 RV and campsites.  Fish in the lake include bass, catfish, bluegill and brim.  In addition, there also is a 18-hole par 72 Jack Nicklaus Golf Course named “The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain’. (For Golf Course Information, call 877-611-2327)

This is one of the most beautiful bridges, (and dams), that we’ve seen in the USA.  It too was built by the CCC, using Crab Orchard sandstone.  It was the largest masonry project ever completed by the Civilian Conservation Corp...measuring 28' high and 319' long. 

In addition to this combined dam/bridge, the CCC built the boathouse and pier, the bathhouse, a caretaker’s house, several cabins, and a water system which included a pump house and a water tower.   There are 37 rustic cabin’s that can be rented…accommodating from 2 – 12 people.  In addition, there is also a small lodge that can be rented that will hold up to 16 guests.  Most of the old buildings are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cumberland Mountain State Park is located on the right off of US Hwy. 127, just 9 miles south of it’s intersection with I-40 (Get off at I-40’s exit 317)  For much more information on this park, just go to http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/CumberlandMtn/.  

All photos can be enlarged just by clicking on them...

Have a nice day!