Cherokee State Park (Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Cherokee State Park
|
|
Land on the park's western edge
|
|
| Location | Aurora, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Area | 300 acres (1.2 km2) |
| Built | 1951 |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001120 |
| Added to NRHP | January 9, 2009 |
Cherokee State Park was a special park in Marshall County, Kentucky. It was made for African Americans during a time when laws kept people of different races separate. This was part of a rule called "separate but equal". The park was near Hardin, Kentucky. It was built to be a park for Black visitors, while nearby Kenlake State Resort Park (then called Kentucky Lake State Park) was for white visitors.
The park was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA is a government agency that helps develop areas. They leased the land to Kentucky for 19 years. They promised to give Kentucky the land if the state could show it could run the park well. At the time, Cherokee State Park was called "the finest colored vacation site in the South." A Kentucky state map from 1952 also shared this idea.
Contents
A Special Park for African Americans
Opening and Importance
Cherokee State Park opened in 1951. It was the third park in the United States made only for Black visitors. It was also the very first such state park in Kentucky and the Southern United States. It was the only park of its kind in Kentucky.
What the Park Offered
Cherokee State Park was about 300 acres (1.2 km2) in size. It had many fun things for visitors to do.
- A large dining hall that could hold 200 people (built in 1953).
- Docks for fishing and boating on the lake.
- Areas for picnicking.
- A bathhouse for the lake's beach.
- A restaurant.
- Twelve cottages (built in 1953) where people could stay overnight.
The park attracted visitors from many places. People came from Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, and Northern Kentucky. The beach at the park was naturally rocky. So, sand often had to be brought in to keep it nice for swimming.
The Park's Later Years
Changes and Closure
In the 1960s, big changes happened in the United States. Laws that kept people separate by race, like "separate but equal," began to end. This movement was called desegregation. Because of these changes, Cherokee State Park closed down. Its cottages were moved to Kenlake State Resort Park.
What Remains Today
In 1998, the sculling team from nearby Murray State University used the old park land. They used it to show how great the area was for their sport. However, they did not highlight the park's important history. Today, the land that was once Cherokee State Park is now part of Kenlake State Resort Park. Not many of the original buildings are left. But there are plans to reopen parts of the area in the future.
Historical Recognition
On January 9, 2009, Cherokee State Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes places that are important to the history of the United States.
