Cumberland Gap: brochure about the history of the area

              HISTORICAL
CUMBERLAND GAP
The Cumberland Gap has long been used
as a crossing point in the Appalachian
Mountains. Animals used it as a- path to the
green pastures of Kentucky. Indians used the
Gap as the Warriors Path that lead from the
Potomac River down the south side of the
Appalachians through the Gap and north to
"The Dark and Bloody Ground" known as
Kentucky and on to Ohio.
In 1750 Dr. Thomas Walker found the Gap
and mapped its location, but the French and
Indian Wars closed the new frontiers.
Daniel Boone and other long-hunters used
the Gap to the Kentucky hunting grounds. In
1775, after the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals
ended most indian troubles, Boone and thirty 1
men marked out the Wilderness Trail from
what is now Kingsport, Tennesse through the
Cumberland Gap to Kentucky. Part of the
Wilderness Road can be walked in
Cumberland Gap, Tennessee by the Iron
Furnace.
Before the Revolutionary War over 12,000
people crossed into the new frontier territory.
By the time of Kentucky's admission to the
Union over 100,000 people had passed
through the Gap. By 1800 the Gap was being
used for transportation and commerce both
east and west. In the 1830's other routes west
caused the Gap to decline in importance.
During the Civil War the Gap was called
the Keystone of the Confederacy and the
Gibralter of America. Both armies felt the
invasion of the North or South would come
through the Gap. Both armies held and
fortified the gap against the invasion that
never came. Quoting O.G. Swingburg, 125th
Ohio U.S. on September 9, 1863.
"The trees, which had formerly covered the
mountain were all cut down. Their trunks lie
tangled and scattered in all directions, to
prevent rapid charges of infantry. Surely a
valley of death could not have been more
skillfully constructed. All who walked that
road today would agree that had the charge
been made, it would have been the last road
walked in eternity. It would have been
murder to have ordered that assault." The
Gap exchanged hands four times to be finally
abandoned in 1866 by the Federal Army.
Today the Cumberland Gap is the main
local route North and South, via Cumberland
Gap Parkway (Hwy. 25E). By the mid 1990's
a four lane tunnel under the Gap will open a
new North-South, East-West route and the
Cumberland Gap will be restored to as the
first pioneer saw it.
Enjoy our lovely area. Tell your friends
and family to come and visit our historic,
scenic and friendly city of Cumberland Gap,
Tennessee. Cumberland Gap welcomes you to
our city with variety, scenery and tours you'll
have to tell your friends about. Tour t h e
National Historical Park, Cudjo Cavern, the
Lincoln Museum and the Historical area of
Cumberland Gap. Hike the Wilderness Road,
the Ridge Trail to Hensley Settlement or the
Tri-State Marker Trail. Come sit and see one
of the most scenic views of the Pinnacle and
Gap from downtown Cumberland Gap ,
Tennessee. Walk in Boone's, Dr. Walker 's
and the pioneers' footsteps.
Cumberland
Gap
Tn. Ky. Va.