Cumberland Mountain State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cumberland Mountain State Park |
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Byrd Creek Dam
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| Type | Tennessee State Park |
| Location | Cumberland County, Tennessee |
| Area | 1,720 acres (7.0 km2) |
| Operated by | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation |
Cumberland Mountain State Park is a fun state park located in Cumberland County, Tennessee. It covers about 1,720 acres (7.0 km2) of land. The park is built around Byrd Lake, which is a lake made by people. It was created in the 1930s by building a dam on Byrd Creek.
This park is a great example of the natural beauty found on the Cumberland Plateau. It offers many cool things to do. You can enjoy an 18-hole golf course called Bear Trace. The park was originally part of a big project called the Cumberland Homesteads Project. This project helped families who were struggling during a tough time in history. People from the Homesteads community helped build the park. They got help from groups like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration.
The park became part of the state of Tennessee in 1938. A famous person named Alvin C. York was the park's superintendent for a short time.
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Where is Cumberland Mountain State Park?
Cumberland Mountain State Park sits on top of the Cumberland Plateau. This area is about halfway between two big hills. One is called Walden Ridge to the east. The other is the plateau's western edge.
The city of Crossville is right next to the park on the north side. Byrd Creek is the main stream in the park. It flows east for about 5 miles (8.0 km). Then it turns north where another stream joins it.
The Byrd Creek Dam is located just north of this spot. It holds back water to create Byrd Lake. This lake covers about 50 acres (0.20 km2). After the dam, Byrd Creek flows east for another 10 miles (16 km). It then joins Daddys Creek, which flows into the Obed River. Cumberland Mountain State Park wraps around Byrd Creek and another stream called Threemile Creek. Byrd Lake forms the eastern part of the park.
You can find the park's main entrance on Tennessee State Route 419. This road is also known as Pigeon Ridge Road. It's just west of a community called Homestead. Other main roads like U.S. Route 127 and Tennessee State Route 68 also connect to the park area.
How the Park Was Built
In 1933, the United States was in a very difficult economic time called the Great Depression. Many people had lost their jobs and homes. The government started a project to help families who were struggling. This project was called the Subsistence Homesteads Project. It helped families move to small farms. The government offered loans to help them buy land, build houses, and grow crops.
Leaders in Tennessee suggested a similar project for the Cumberland Plateau. This area was hit hard because many coal mines had closed. The government agreed in 1934 and started Cumberland Homesteads, Inc. This group chose a large area of 27,000-acre (110 km2) south of Crossville for the farms. Many people from Crossville were hired to prepare the land. This helped many families in the area find work. In 1935, 250 families were chosen for the project.
Part of the Cumberland Homesteads Project was to build a fun area for everyone. Two government groups, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), came to help in 1934. The CCC started building the Byrd Creek Dam in 1935. They finished it in 1938. This dam created the 50-acre (0.20 km2) Byrd Lake.
The dam is made of a local stone called Crab Orchard Stone. It is 28 feet (8.5 m) tall and 319 feet (97 m) long. It was the biggest stone project ever built by the CCC. The CCC continued to work at the park until 1941. They built hiking trails, picnic spots, cabins, a boathouse, and other buildings.
The Mill House Lodge, near the dam, was first meant to be a gristmill. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. However, other local mills didn't like the idea of a government-funded mill. So, the grinding parts were never put in.
The state of Tennessee took over the park in 1938. The park officially opened in 1940. More new buildings were added between 1948 and 1962. A new visitor center and swimming pool were built in the 1980s. The 18-hole "Bear Trace" golf course opened in 1998. This course was designed by famous golfer Jack Nicklaus. In 1988, many of the park's original buildings were recognized as important historical places.
What to Do at the Park Today
Cumberland Mountain State Park has 37 cozy cabins where you can stay. Each cabin can fit 4 to 10 people. The Mill House Lodge was updated in 2020 and can now fit 6 people. There are also 147 campsites for tents or RVs. Plus, there's one special campsite for hikers along the Cumberland Overnight Trail.
The park has lots of fun things to do! You can swim in an Olympic-sized pool. There are picnic areas, playgrounds, and four tennis courts. You can also play horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, badminton, and volleyball. The Bear Trace golf course is open all year. It's a 6,900-yard (6,300 m), par 72 course. Byrd Lake is perfect for fishing and paddleboating.
There are several miles of hiking trails in the park. They mostly follow Byrd Creek and the nearby hills. The 5-mile (8.0 km) Pioneer Trail goes through a beautiful forest along Byrd Lake. The 1-mile (1.6 km) Cumberland Plateau Trail is a special trail where you can learn about the different trees. The Byrd Creek Trail is a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) extension that loops around Byrd Creek. The Cumberland Overnight Trail is a 6-mile (9.7 km) extension that goes through the hills near Threemile Creek. The special backcountry campsite is located along this trail.
Cumberland Homesteads Tower Museum
The Cumberland Homesteads Tower Museum is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the park. It tells the story of the Cumberland Homestead Community from the 1930s. The tower is shaped like an octagon. It was built by the CCC between 1937 and 1938 using Crab Orchard Stone. It was originally used as offices for the Homesteads project.
The tower has a water tank and a 97-step staircase. You can climb to the top for great views of the park. At the bottom of the tower, there's a museum. It has exhibits about the history of the Homesteads project and the people who lived there. You can also visit an original Homesteads house. It has been decorated to look just like it did during the Depression.
