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Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall: A Labor of Love and Heritage
“Each stone was carefully placed by Tom’s hands, and each one represents a step Te-lah-nay took during her long journey home.” The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, also known simply as Tom Hendrix’s wall, was the life’s work of one man: Tom Hendrix. Tom was inspired by the story of his great-great-grandmother, Te-lah-nay, a Yuchi Indian…
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Mothman & the Day the River Swallowed a Bridge
“For 13 months, the people of Point Pleasant were haunted by Mothman.” When people hear “Point Pleasant, West Virginia,” one image flashes across the imagination, the Mothman, red eyes, dark wings, and a legend that still ripples through the Ohio Valley. I traveled there to see what remains, the eerie landscape of the old TNT…
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Wigwam Motel
“This unique design became a landmark along the famous U.S. Route 31W, a key route for motorists before the advent of the interstate highway system.” The Wigwam Village Motel, also known as Wigwam Village #2, was built in 1937 by Frank A. Redford. Inspired by Native American culture and the popularity of roadside attractions during…
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Ivy Green: Helen Keller’s Birthplace
“In 1904 she became the first deaf blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree” Built in 1820, Ivy Green was home to Captain Arthur H. Keller, a former Confederate officer and newspaper editor, and his wife Kate Adams Keller, a well educated woman from a prominent Southern family. Their lives took a dramatic turn when…
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Robert Johnson: The Bluesman Who Bargained with the Devil
“Johnson is often considered the first member of the infamous 27 Club” Robert Johnson is one of the most legendary names in the blues, not only for his music, but for the dark cloud that surrounds his short life and tragic death. He left behind a handful of recordings that influenced generations, but he also…
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Tent Graves of Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Tennessee
“Tent graves are a distinctive type of grave marker found primarily in the southeastern United States” In the countryside of Tennessee, Mt. Gilead Cemetery is a hidden gem with a unique historical feature: tent graves. These fascinating structures, steeped in history and mystery, offer a glimpse into the past and the cultural heritage of the…
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A River Between Them: The Hatfield–McCoy Feud
“The feud spiraled into a cycle of revenge killings, ambushes, and arson” The Hatfields and the McCoys were two Appalachian families whose rivalry became one of the most infamous feuds in American history. The Hatfields, led by William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield, lived primarily in what is now West Virginia, while the McCoys, headed by…
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Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
“Gates to Hell” Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is a former maximum security prison in Petros Tennessee. Often referred to as the “Gates to Hell” and “The end of the line”. This prison is famous for a few reasons. It was Tennessee’s longest operating prison when it closed (it was in need of an update…
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Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, Forest Giants
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest Forest Giants are really cool. The hike to each is easy and kid friendly. Here is an expert from the Website about the Gaints, “In conjunction with our 90th anniversary in 2020, Bernheim welcomed Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, to construct three giant sculptures throughout the arboretum using recycled wood from…
