Genealogy Jamboree and Pioneer Days Attractions and Links

This structure is located at the base of Cumberland Mountain, next to Gap Creek, near Cumberland Gap, TN - where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet. It was used during the nineteenth century as a charcoal blast furnace for smelting iron. Probably built between 1813 and 1835 by Martin Beaty, it was operated intermittently until about 1881, by a number of people including John G. Newlee for whom the foundry was named at the end of the century. The foundry and buildings were used for ammunition storage for a part of the Civil War. This foundry is considered one of the last examples of a cold-blast charcoal furnace. The site includes the 30' remains of the blast furnace, a grass-covered slag pile, a large stone with drill-holes for splitting it, and a portion of a flume, cut to channel Gap Creek around the foundry.

At Cumberland Gap, the first great  gateway to the west, follow the buffalo, the Native American, the  longhunter, the pioneer... all traveled this route through the mountains  into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travelers  stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and  scenic features found in the park.

With  cave tours, Pinnacle overlook, hiking, backpacking, camping, museum,  park films, book store, Cumberland crafts and check the parks schedule  for event through out the year.

Click here for more.

This old spur tunnel use to carry trains from Cumberland Gap to Harrogate TN. It is now a "Rails-to-Trails" tunnel carrying foot and bicycle traffic between the two towns.

Click HERE to see a aerial view of Rails to Trails starting point in Cumberland Gap, TN.

Click HERE to see a aerial view of the tunnel on Harrogate TN area.

Lee Majors  was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, Harvey Lee Yeary [Lee took his acting  name Lee Majors, from the University of Tennesse football coach Johnny  Majors], on the 23rd of April 1939,. He grew up in Middleboro, Kentucky,  where he had been adopted by relatives after the death of his parents,  when he was less than three years old. He  discovered about his adoption on rainy afternoon during his teenage  years. He was alone in the house, and overcome with boredom when for  some reason he decided to go up into the attic and start poking around  in the old boxe. More at...

 The Cumberland Gap Tunnel is a tunnel that carries U.S. Route 25E under Cumberland Gap National  Historical Park near the intersection of Kentucky, Tennessee, and  Virginia. The east portal of the tunnel is in Tennessee and the west  portal is in Kentucky; according to United States Geological Survey maps  of the area, the tunnel does not enter Virginia. It is one of only two  mountain vehicular tunnels in the United States that cross a state line,  the other being the East River Mountain Tunnel on Interstate 77 between  Virginia and West Virginia. 

The park is about 310 acres that lie  astride the Wilderness Road, a route carved by Daniel Boone in 1775. The  route, which followed a buffalo trace, opened America’s first western  frontier. Most notable in the park are the Karlan Mansion built in the  1877, a state-of-the-art visitor center and Martin's Station, a replica  of a colonial frontier fort that was near this site in 1775.

With  Wilderness Road Trail, a 10-mile hiking, biking and equestrian trail.  Indian Ridge Trail, a self-guided, natural heritage trail, camping, gift  center, and picnic area. More at...

Coal  mining equipment is housed in this structure made entirely of coal.  Home to the Bell County Chamber of Commerce, this building is truly a  unique landmark. The Coal House was built in 1926 out of 42 tons of  bituminous coal.

After years of  being closed to the public, the National Park has began to give guided  tours of the famous Gap Cave (also known in the past as Cujo’s Cave).  This is one of the most unique attractions in the entire area, and it’s a  great activity to check out in the summertime since the cave stays nice  and cool. The 2016 tour schedule and prices are as follows: 

Click here for price and schedule.

Middlesboro  Crater, is a meteor crater in Kentucky. The Middlesboro Crater is  located in the Appalachian Mountains, between the Cumberland Mountains  and Pine Mountain. The town of Middlesboro, built in the crater, was  established in 1886 to mine the iron and coal deposits. Middlesboro  Crater is approximately 3 miles diameter and the age is estimated to be  less than 300 million years. 

 Kentucky’s first state park is a hidden gem in  the Commonwealth. Located just south of Pineville, KY, the park has over  15 miles of some of the finest hiking trails in all of Appalachia  including favorites like Hemlock Garden Trail, Honeymoon Falls Trail,  Chain Rock Trail, and much more. The park has an adjacent 18-hole golf  course in Wasioto Winds, a lodge with both rooms and cabins for rent,  and a brand new zip line and canopy tour (see below). Visitors can also  enjoy many fantastic overlooks, including the famed Chain Rock Overlook  that overlooks Pineville. Website

 Chain Rock is a unique point of interest that  sits within Pine Mountain State Resort Park. From the parking lot at the  top of Pine Mountain, it is a short hike to the Chain Rock overlook.  There, legend has it, the chain was put between two large boulders to  keep them from falling onto the town of Pineville.

Website

 The Bell County  Historical Society is located right beside the Middlesboro Post Office  on 20th St. It houses many artifacts and exhibits pertaining to the  county’s history including the Middlesboro meteor crash, coal mining,  Indian artifacts, and much more! Hours and info are on website. 

Website

Built in 1888 -1889 by the Powell's Valley Railroad; sold the same year to the Knoxville, Cumberland Gap and Louisville Railroad; sold in 1896 to the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Now owned by CSX Railroad to connect Norfolk-Southern RR.

Click HERE to see a aerial view of the Rail Tunnel in Cumberland Gap, TN.

The  Academy was founded by German immigrant George Shutter, who came to  Tennessee from Pennsylvania in the early 1800′s. It was established in  1806 as Powell Valley Male Academy and later called Speedwell Academy.  The Academy was also used as headquarter by General Zollicoffer during  the Civil War as he prepared to take Cumberland Gap from Union forces.  The Academy was later used as a hospital by both Union and Confederate  forces. Hours Open to the Public: Apr. – Oct. (3rd Sun.) 2 – 5 p.m.;  Holidays 2 – 5 p.m.; Christmas Open House (1st three weekends in Dec.) 2  – 7 p.m.; Tour groups by appt. 220 Academy Rd., Speedwell, TN 37870 •  423-869-3414. ​ Facebook

The  Marker is in Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Bell County. Marker is on U.S.  25E, on the right when traveling east. Just before the entrance to the  Cumberland Gap National Park.

Middlesboro is home  to the oldest continually played golf course in America. It was founded  in 1889, the same year as the town, as a way for the English investors  and businessmen who were settling in the area to have some recreation.  Nestled inside a beautiful circular valley, the golf course was proven  to be the center of impact for the meteor that created the unique valley  that the city of Middlesboro sits in. The golf course hosts several  golf scrambles and events throughout the year, make sure to check out  their website for details.  

Located in Morristown, Tennessee, the  Museum was built on the site of the boyhood home of Davy Crockett. It is  a reconstruction of the 1790's John Crockett Tavern. Website   

54 min drive from the Genealogy Jamboree. Map

...Roughly 85 miles of hiking trails meander through the eastern deciduous  forests of Cumberland Gap. Distances range from a 1/4-mile loop trail to  the 21-mile-long Ridge Trail. Some of the most popular destinations in  the park include the Hensley Settlement, White Rocks, Sand Cave and Tri-State Peak...

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