Arda E. Lee's Hidden Hollow facts for kids

Arda E. Lee's Hidden Hollow was a fun park covering about 86-acre (350,000 m²) (which is like 65 football fields!) in Cookeville, Tennessee. It was created by a man named Arda E. Lee in the 1970s.

The Park's Beginning

Arda E. Lee's family used to own the land where the park was built. It was a farm where they grew tobacco and corn, and raised cattle. Arda's father, Eldridge, and his uncle, Everett, owned the farm.

How Arda Got the Land

In 1952, Arda bought the farm from his family. A few years later, his job as a tool designer for a company called Lockheed Martin moved him to Marietta, Georgia. Even though they lived in Georgia, Arda and his family would often drive back to Cookeville, Tennessee on weekends.

A Big Idea for the Land

In the late 1970s, Arda had a strong idea that he should build a park on his land. He wanted to create a special place for people to visit and enjoy.

What You Could Find at Hidden Hollow

Arda E. Lee built many interesting things at his park. Most of the attractions were made by him, which makes them quite unique!

Fun Attractions for Everyone

• A tall, 50-foot (15 m) cross that lit up at night with many bright lights.
• A pond where visitors could go fishing or swimming.
• A petting zoo where kids could meet friendly animals.
• Courts for playing volleyball.
• Areas with playgrounds and places for picnics.
• A special stuffed deer named "Dee Dee."

Many of the things Arda built were like "outsider art." This means they were made by someone who wasn't a trained artist, but they were still very creative and special.