270-988-3632
Locust Street, Carrsville, KY

The Carrsville History Museum is in the old Methodist Church building.  Accordingly exhibits include Carrsville historical items.  Built in 1875, this old church was constructed to resemble New England style churches.  Special thank you to Roger Dale Morris who donated the church building to the Carrsville Community Association.   Indeed many have worked to preserve the history of Carrsville by collecting historical items and knowledge for the museum. The museum is open on Sundays from 2-4 pm.

Interpretive Signs / Currently Vacant Land
Top of Level Street, Smithland, KY

Kentucky remained neutral during the American Civil War, but Union General Ulysses S. Grant ordered the construction of two forts in Kentucky. The  Smithland site was chosen for its location at the confluence of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers. Fort Smith was an encampment and fortification complex. It was constructed in September 1861. The fort was manned by the 11th Indiana infantry, and the 8th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery as well. The Battle of Smithland Re-enactment is held each year during the last weekend of April.

Privately Owned / Currently Vacant
Water Street, Smithland, KY

Erected in 1780 in the Georgian Federal style, the Gower House was once an inn on the Ohio River. It contained 14 rooms and 13 fireplaces. The Gower House accommodated many famous travelers including Presidents James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Charles Dickens, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay. At the present time, the property is privately owned, and is currently not in use. The property is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Kentucky Dam
640 Kentucky Dam Road

Kentucky Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Tennessee River.   Kentucky Lake was formed with the construction of the dam. This dam is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.  A major project of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, construction began in May 1938 and was completed in 1944.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

117 State Street
Smithland, KY

This single room log cabin was found inside the siding of an old house. After a search of deeds, it was estimated that the cabin was built in the 1834-1836 timeframe. The cabin was restored in 1992 and is now the home of the Livingston County Historical & Genealogical Society.  The Cabin is currently closed, and will open in March, Mondays through Fridays, 1-4 pm.

352 Court Street
Smithland, KY

The construction of the Livingston county historical courthouse was authorized after Smithland became the Livingston County Seat in 1841.  The old courthouse was built in 1844-1845, in a Greek revival/ Romanesque style. This building is one of Kentucky’s oldest courthouses and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

1800 Lola Road,
Smithland, KY

A Designated Nature Conservancy Preserve,  a Certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Historic Trail of Tears follows the route of the 1838-1839 forced migration of the Cherokee Nation. Mantle Rock ( a 30-foot high natural sandstone bridge spanning 188 feet), is accessible by single track natural trail via hiking.  Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

Top of Level Street and Cemetery Rd., Smithland, KY

This Booklet takes you on a self-guided Walking/Driving tour of the Historic Smithland Cemetery. The booklet features a map of the cemetery and a short biography of the persons whose graves are featured on the tour. This circa 1810 cemetery provides visitors with a glimpse of the rich history of the early settlers of Livingston County. Purchase the book at the Log Cabin (hours 1-4PM, Monday-Friday) MORE

Private Residence
Walbash Avenue, Grand Rivers, KY

The Thomas Lawson House is a two-and-a-half story Queen Anne-style house. The home was constructed in 1895.   The home was built by Grand Rivers founder Thomas Lawson and is a reminder of the brief iron boom era of the late 19^th century. The boom created a city of several thousand people with fine homes, an iron furnace, machine shop, and a hotel. In 1978, It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

US Hwy 68 / KY Hwy 80
Land Between The Lakes

The visitor center includes an exhibit of historical photographs and interpretive messages.  It shares the rich heritage of the land and the people of the Between the Rivers area as well.  Also, visit Golden Pond Interpretive Overlook located along US 68/KY 80.  The former residents of Golden Pond were key in the development of the content, and the overlook tells their story.

4512 The Trace, Dover, TN
Land Between The Lakes

A Living History Museum and working farm located in southern Land Between The Lakes. Experience life on the farm in the mid-1800’s.  Interpreters dressed in period clothing, restored historic log cabins and structures, farm animals, and traditional seasonal activities step you back in time to relive life on a farm before the Civil War.

The Trace
Land Between The Lakes

The Great Western Iron Furnace is located on the site where Model, TN, once stood.  The Furnace remains are located along The Trace, south of The Homeplace 1850’s Living History Museum. The area iron furnaces of the mid- to late-1800’s contributed to a regional industry that stretched from Western Kentucky to Middle Tennessee.

174 National Cemetery Drive
Dover, TN

Located one hour south of Livingston County in Dover, TN. You can drive the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway from Grand Rivers, KY south to Dover.  Fort Donelson was a fortress built by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River.  This river not only led to the heart of Tennessee, but  the heart of the Confederacy as well. The Union Army commanded by Major General Ulysses S. Grant, captured the fort from the Confederate Army in the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862.