COUNTIES
Along The Byway
Clay County
Clay County was created on June 16, 1870, and was named in honor of the Kentucky statesman Henry Clay.
Visitor Center
Clay County Partnership Chamber of Commerce
424 Brown St.
Celina, TN 38551
Phone: 931-243-3338
Hours Open to the Public
Monday through Friday 8 AM-4 PM
Founded: 1870
Population: 7,861
Total Area: 259 square miles
Water Area: 23 square miles
Density: 30.35 residents/square mile
County Seat: Celina – Population: 1,379
Largest City: Celina – Population: 1,379
Like Pickett County to its east, Clay County also lost a great deal of its most valuable agricultural land to the 1943 construction of Dale Hollow Dam and its massive reservoir. The taming of the Obey River brought an end to frequent, devastating floods and the beginning of a tourism industry in the county, with inundated bottomlands giving way to vacation properties along a new lakeshore. The county was created on June 16, 1870, from parts of Overton and Jackson counties and was named in honor of the Kentucky statesman Henry Clay.
From its creation in 1870 until the early part of the 20th century, logging was Clay County’s principal industry. In 1890, for example, more than twenty sawmills processed millions of feet of cut board, with rafters floating great quantities of logs down the Cumberland River to markets in Nashville. Unsustainable timber practices precipitated the industry’s demise, as by 1930 the trees were gone.
The county seat of Celina was established near the confluence of the Cumberland and Obey rivers. As it was situated in such a geographically important position, Celina quickly became an essential stopover point for the steamboat and logging trade. Businesses catered to river transporters’ needs, supplying goods and lodging until the 1920s, when road transportation began to replace water transport. One rafting business, operated by the Kyle family, employed approximately 100 men at its peak and remained in business from the 1870s until 1931.
Clay County features two National Register-listed properties: the Clay County Courthouse and the Free Hills Rosenwald School. In addition, 89 architectural resources, which were originally surveyed by Tennessee Tech University in 1991, are located within the Byway’s one-mile buffer.
Tennessee Historical Commission historical markers located along the Cumberland Historic Byway include:
1. Hugh Roberts – The marker is located in Celina and identifies the location of a house constructed by Hugh Roberts between 1780 and 1782. Roberts was a Pennsylvania Quaker who emigrated to the area to avoid military service.
2. Free Hills Community – Located off SR 53 on Neely Creek Road, the marker identifies the historic African-American community of Free Hills, which was established by former slaves of Virginia Hill.
The Clay County Courthouse in Celina was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 for its architectural significance as a local interpretation of the Italianate style. In addition, the building is historically significant for its association with the governmental history of Clay County. The rectangular, two-story brick building is topped by a square cupola and was constructed in 1873 by D.L. Dow of Cookeville. The Clay County Courthouse has stood as the center of county politics and government for over 130 years.
Celina and Cumberland Gap mark both ends of the Cumberland Historic Byway. This historically rich corridor traces the path of Tennessee’s pioneer settlers across the Appalachian Mountains to homesteads in the west. Indeed, much of the Cumberland Plateau region retains its late 18th-century appearance. To traverse its meandering course along scenic, modern highways is to be reminded of the Plateau’s age-old traditions and, like the pioneers who came before, the expectation of even better days to come.
Archaeological Sites
Leonard Cave
In the early 1900’s, the Tennessee State Geology Department unearthed four large skeletons and other artifacts that established that the Leonard Cave had served as a burial ground for Native Americans. Two of the skeletons were placed in the Tennessee State Museum. The opening of the cave is larger than that of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The cave has a very large room at the entrance that leads to another room. A stairway from this room leads to an upstairs room. At one time, the cave was made into a dance and beer hall. It is now deserted.
Cultural Sites
Moonshine Daze Festival
Celina, Tennessee
Moonshine Daze is a festival with events held throughout Clay County, such as the “Outhouse Races,” the “Yee Haw” variety show, and, of course, the Moonshine Still Display & Tales. Other activities include fine arts and crafts, storytelling, an antique car show, and a shotgun wedding.
Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail
Multiple Counties in Tennessee
The Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail is part of a commitment to preserve the historical craft of traditional quilting. By following the maps, you will see not only the beautiful and historic barns owned by local farm families, but also gorgeous quilt squares displayed on businesses and homes in the various communities. Quilt squares range from 2’x2’ to 8’x8’ wood squares. The blocks are replicas of treasured family heirlooms. In painting their favorite patterns on barns, businesses, and homes, we are honoring local quilters who are well known for their skills of using every piece of scrap fabric to create a beautiful work of art that is also a useful item in the home.
Historic Sites
Cumberland & Obey River Convergence
Clay County, Tennessee
The convergence of the Cumberland River with the Obey River at Celina is of great historical significance for the Upper Cumberland region. During the initial settlement of the State of Tennessee, this location was used to load and ship timber both down the Cumberland River to Nashville and up the Cumberland River to Cincinnati. Stories from local residents tell of people from this region rafting logs all the way down to Nashville. After the timber had been unloaded, the log rafters would reportedly make the trek back to Celina on foot, taking several days. The historical significance of the Celina landing should be highlighted and promoted through the development of the Byway.
Clay County Courthouse
Celina, Tennessee
The Clay County Courthouse was listed on the NRHP in 1977 for its architectural significance as a local interpretation of the Italianate style. In addition, the building is historically significant for its association with the governmental history of Clay County. Located in Celina, the Clay County Courthouse was constructed in 1873 and has served as the center of county politics and government for over 130 years. As such, it has the unusual distinction among courthouses in Tennessee as the first and only courthouse to have been constructed in the county.
Clay County High School (old)/Celina High School
Clay County High School, the first public secondary school in the county, was established by the Clay County Board of Education in 1919. In 1933, the timber frame building was replaced with a larger, two-story brick structure, and the name of the school was changed to Celina High School. A separate brick gymnasium was constructed on the campus in 1949. In 1955, a modern, new two-story school with an auditorium in one wing and a cafeteria in the basement was built on the same site as the previous school. Celina High School closed in 2003 with the opening of the new Clay County High School.
Cordell Hull Law Office
The Cordell Hull Law Office seen today has been moved many times and has changed from a three-room building to two. Cordell Hull used the building as a law office in 1891. After a stint with the U.S. Army, including service in the Spanish-American War, Hull returned to Celina in 1901. He was elected special judge by the Clay County Bar and then elected judge in April 1903. He was then appointed judge by Governor Frazier and elected to the same position in August of the same year. After serving as a U.S. Representative from Tennessee, Hull became the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of State in the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration (1933-1944). Cordell Hull is best known as the Father of the United Nations and as a recipient of the 1945 Nobel Peace Prize.
Maple Grove School
Isolated from the rest of Clay County by Dale Hollow Lake, Maple Grove School is currently the smallest public school in Tennessee, with approximately 35 students and three teachers for grades K-8. The school was established in 1936 with 32 students. In 1942, the student population of Maple Grove School tripled in size when Willow Grove, Fairview, and Pleasant Shade schools closed with the formation of Dale Hollow Lake. This growth led to the building of the current facility in 1953-54. After peaking for several years at 80-90 students, the student population began to decline in the 1970s.
Montvale Academy
Montvale Academy was organized April 13, 1882, by Isaiah Fitzgerald, A.P. Green, John H. McMillan, J.H. Stephens, V.P. Smith, and William Love. Montvale Academy was an outstanding private school. Many of its students became doctors, lawyers, judges, and teachers. Two of the most noted graduates were Congressman Cordell Hull and Governor Benton McMillan. Cordell Hull was instrumental in helping to create the United Nations and was Secretary of State under Franklin Roosevelt. Hull was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The building that was Montvale Academy is the present-day Upton Funeral Home.
Cherry’s Grocery Store
Around 1939, Herman and Bethel Gas built a building for a restaurant at the point of three roads converging and leading to Celina and Red Boiling Springs, TN, and Tompkinsville, KY – thus the name, “3-Way In.” After a year or two, the building was bought by Winnie Cherry and turned into a country grocery store. In the late 1960’s, William Cherry bought the store from Winnie. It is the only true “country store” remaining in Clay County.
Hermitage Springs Bank Vault
The original building was a bank owned by J. W. Green of Hermitage Springs. When the bank closed, the building was used as a grocery store, a beauty shop and other businesses. The building was demolished in the late 1970s or early 1980s, and the cement bank vault was left standing.
Hugh Roberts Historical Marker
The Hugh Roberts marker is located in Celina and identifies the location of a house constructed by Hugh Roberts between 1780 and 1782. Roberts was a Pennsylvania Quaker who migrated to the area to avoid military service.
McColgan Home
The McColgan Home was built in 1858 by Dr. Wilson McColgan (1825-1910) of brick fabricated by slaves who lived on the farm. The home had 14 rooms — five of which had fireplaces — a basement, and three chimneys. The walls of the home were four bricks thick. The McColgan family named the community of Arcot for their ancestral home in Scotland.
Rock Springs Church of Christ
The congregation got its name from the beautiful streams of clear, cold water gushing from between huge layers of limestone. The church was organized the first Sunday in January 1805. It is believed to be the oldest continuously existing Church of Christ in America.
Recreational Sites
Red Oak Ridge Horseback Trail
Clay County, Tennessee
Located 8 miles north of Celina, TN, off Highway 53, Red Oak Ridge hosts 18 miles of beautiful and scenic trails developed for horseback riding. Beginning on wooded ridge top, riders can descend to follow the forested Dale Hollow shoreline. Seven loops provide for cutbacks to shorten or lengthen the trail. Eagle’s Bluff Overlook provides for one of the most spectacular vistas of Dale Hollow Lake. Hikers are welcome. A corral, storm shelter, and stalls are available. Primitive camping permits are required for overnight stays. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and coggins papers required. Follow the signs toward Holly Creek Marina and Red Oak Ridge.
Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery
Clay County, Tennessee
The fish hatchery has a half-mile long, paved walking trail adjacent to the creek and provides visitors with an opportunity to exercise and bird watch. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, this National Fish Hatchery was established to mitigate for fishery resources that were lost due to the construction of federal water development projects in the Southeast. This is accomplished by stocking rainbow, brown, lake, and brook trout in waters impacted by federal dams. Warm water species of fish, displaced by dam construction, are on display in the aquarium/visitor center.
Scenic Sites
Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery
Clay County, Tennessee
The fish hatchery has a half-mile long, paved walking trail adjacent to the creek and provides visitors with an opportunity to exercise and bird watch. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, this National Fish Hatchery was established to mitigate for fishery resources that were lost due to the construction of federal water development projects in the Southeast. This is accomplished by stocking rainbow, brown, lake, and brook trout in waters impacted by federal dams. Warm water species of fish, displaced by dam construction, are on display in the aquarium/visitor center.
Red Oak Ridge Horseback Trail
Clay County, Tennessee
Located 8 miles north of Celina, TN, off Highway 53, Red Oak Ridge hosts 18 miles of beautiful and scenic trails developed for horseback riding. Beginning on wooded ridge top, riders can descend to follow the forested Dale Hollow shoreline. Seven loops provide for cutbacks to shorten or lengthen the trail. Eagle’s Bluff Overlook provides for one of the most spectacular vistas of Dale Hollow Lake. Hikers are welcome. A corral, storm shelter, and stalls are available. Primitive camping permits are required for overnight stays. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and coggins papers required. Follow the signs toward Holly Creek Marina and Red Oak Ridge.
Dining
Lodging
Dale Hollow Lodging & Storage