C14: Morgan County
Region: East Tennessee
Time Zone: Eastern
TN52 enters Morgan County from Fentress County on the west. It only stays in Morgan County for about five miles. In those five miles, however, it passes through one of Tennessee's unique towns, Historic Rugby. Continuing east, TN52 then goes into Scott County.
Things to See in Morgan County
Historic Rugby"The Cumberland Plateau possesses a wealth of attractions, but chief among them is Rugby. The real essence of Rugby abides most clearly in the church and library, unchanged over the long years. The doors of the library open on the Victorian Age like the pages of a rare book, long out of print, but perfectly preserved." Southern Living |
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British author and social reformer Thomas Hughes, famous for his classic Tom Brown's Schooldays, dedicated the Rugby Colony amid great fanfare on October 5, 1880. He envisioned his new community as a place where those who wished could build a strong agricultural community through cooperative enterprise, while maintaining a cultured, Christian lifestyle, free of the rigid class distinctions that prevailed in Britain. Today, Rugby is a heritage treasure listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and pursuing Landmark Status with the National Park Service. The
National Trust for Historic Preservation calls Rugby one of the most
authentically preserved historic villages in America. |
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October Sky
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 Downtown Oliver Springs. This building was the Big Store in the movie! |
 Downtown Petros. This was Homer's house in the movie! |
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| Many of you have seen the 1998
Universal Pictures movie October Sky. Of course, the movie
was based on the true story of Homer Hickam and the Rocket Boys of
Coalwood. As you also know, Coalwood was a small mining town in southern
West Virginia. When it came time to film the movie, the real town of
Coalwood was too remote and did not have the facilities (hotels,
restaurants, etc.) needed to handle the cast and crew. This perfect
filming location, however, was found in East Tennessee! There are still
active coal mines in Morgan County and neighboring counties, and the
terrain of the area is very similar to the coal-mining area around the
real Coalwood. The majority of the film was actually shot in Morgan
County in and around Petros and Wartburg, and in Oliver Springs where
Morgan County, Anderson County and Roane Counties meet. Additional scenes
were shot in Harriman and in downtown Knoxville. Charlie and Leonard (who are the webmasters for www.tn52.com) also have another web site dedicated to Coalwood. On the Coalwood web site, Charlie and Leonard are in the process of documenting all of the October Sky filming locations. You may view this web site here: www.coalwoodwestvirginia.com/october_sky.htm |
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Obed Wild & Scenic River
Obed Wind & Scenic River
208 North Maiden Street
P.O. Box 429
Wartburg, TN 37887
Visitor Information: (423) 346-6294
http://www.nps.gov/obed/
The Obed Wild & Scenic River is managed by the National Park Service
Canoeing, kayaking and rafting
bring many people to the Obed. The river includes three different difficulty
classifications (II-IV), making it one of the best whitewater rivers in the
eastern United States. Rock Climbing
The Obed's sandstone rock faces provide a challenging opportunity for
experienced climbers, with several hundred climbing routes spanning through much
of the park. Boulder climbing is also available along the Obed.
Fishing
Fishing opportunities are plentiful at the Obed Wild and Scenic River. An
assortment of smallmouth bass, bluegills, catfish, and muskie are but a few of
the various fish that swim the river.
Hiking the trails along the Obed Wild and Scenic River is one of the
most enjoyable activities. Several different trails with different lengths
and scenery are available. Photo above courtesy Tennessee Department of
Tourist Development: www.tnvacation.com.
Frozen Head State Park
Frozen Head State Park
964 Flat Fork Road
Wartburg , TN 37887
Office: (423) 346-3318
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FrozenHead/index.shtml
Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is situated in the beautiful Cumberland
Mountains of Eastern Tennessee near Wartburg. Frozen Head, elevation of 3,324,
is one of the highest peaks in Tennessee west of the Great Smoky Mountains. From
its observation tower on a clear day, one can plainly see the Cumberland
Plateau, Tennessee Ridge and Valley, and the Great Smoky Mountains. In winter,
the mountain peaks are often capped with snow or ice while the lower valleys
remain unadorned, thus giving the park's namesake, Frozen Head. The park's lush
vegetation, small streams, waterfalls and beautiful mountains make Frozen Head
one of Tennessee's most scenic parks.
Photo and text courtesy of Tennessee
State Parks:
www.tnstateparks.com
Cabin at the Lodge
Cabin at the Lodge
486 Claude Howard Rd.
Deer Lodge, TN 37726
Telephone: (865) 803.4933
www.cabinatthelodge.com
Cabin at the Lodge is a cozy 3-bedroom, 2-bath cabin and can be your mountain
home away from home. Sleeps up to 10. Bedrooms have full size beds and private
bath; upstairs loft features two single beds; common area has two single beds
and a pull-out sofa is in the den. Cabin is fully equipped with dishes,
appliances including stove, refrigerator washer and dryer, central heat and air.
The cabin is situated on a private 50-acre estate owned by the proprietors and
adjoins thousands of acres of pristine forest on the banks of Pole Pen Branch
and Clear Creek, a National Scenic River.
Things to See in Anderson County, south of Morgan County
American Museum of Science & Energy
American Museum of Science & Energy
300 South Tulane Avenue
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
(865) 576-3200
www.amse.org
Discover how 75,000 people kept a secret in Oak Ridge during World War II. Learn about Oak Ridge's leading-edge technology that continues to earn the U.S. the title "Super Power." From a "Hair Raising" experience to the "Atom Smasher" live demonstrations, audiovisuals, machines, and devices will keep you entertained and educated. Text courtesy of the ASME web site. Photo: Clipart.
Manhattan Project Sites and Other Oak Ridge Attractions
Manhattan Project Sites and Oak Ridge Attractions
302 S. Tulane Avenue
Oak Ridge, Tennessee (865) 482-7821
www.oakridgevisitor.com
www.oakridgevisitor.com/must.html
Called the most significant story of the 20th Century, there are many sites
in and around Oak Ridge on the national register of historic places as well as
on the Tennessee State Heritage Trail. A self-guided auto tour map of World War
II's Secret City gives you the opportunity to experience the rich history of our
area at your own pace. In 1942, the world was at war. Tennessee was
gearing up, as was the rest of the nation, to do its part in the war effort. No
one knew then that a small valley in East Tennessee would play such a big role
in ending World War II. This 60,000-acre tract of land was chosen as one of the
sites for the now historic Manhattan Project.
Quick Facts on the Manhattan Project:
Originally known
as Clinton Engineer Works, named Oak Ridge after WW II.
Became 5th
largest city in Tennessee growing to 75,000 workers.
Project consumed
one-seventh of the electricity in U.S.
Bus
transportation system was 4th largest in U.S.
300 plus miles
of roads built or improved and 55 miles of railroad.
Project cost
$1.65 billion in 1945.
Text courtesy Oak Ridge Convention and
Visitors Bureau. Photo: Clipart.
Area Web Sites
Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.oakridgevisitor.com