Great River Road Trail - Mississippi River Corridor

Transcription

memphis area
self-guided driving tour
Welcome to the
Great River Road
National Scenic
Byway & Trail.
SEE THE DRIVING
TOUR MAP
ON PAGE 12.
®
got
Ready foR a Tennessee Road TRip? We’ve
of the
you covered on the new, self-guided driving trails
Junction
Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways. On the Cotton
Jones,
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about
learn
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make a
visit Rock ‘n’ Roll Queen Tina Turner’s hometown,
more, all
stop at the Teapot Capital of the World and so much
up a selfsurrounded by West Tennessee cotton country. Pick
r or visit
guided map at the Memphis Welcome Cente
directions,
the
find
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com.
Trail.
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Cotto
n Trail a
stops and stories that make the Cotton Junctio
to miss.
one-of-a-kind Tennessee road trip you won’t want
Make your way along the western border of Tennessee
carved by THE mighty mississippi and once the western
boundary of America. The Great River Road National Scenic
Byway & Trail starts in Memphis, the southwestern most
point in the state, and travels to the northwestern border
at legEndary Reelfoot Lake. The route from corner to
corner is a part of the larger Great River Road National Scenic
Byway, a designated route spanning 10 states, from the
Mississippi River’s headwaters in Minnesota all the way to
the Gulf of Mexico.
On the Tennessee portion, you’ll encounter small towns
full of history, local fare bursting with flavor, and
natural areas brimming with wildlife. But perhaps the
biggest attraction on this trail is the drive itself — a journey
through high bluffs, alluvial forest, and intriguing bottomland that borders the Mississippi. This isn’t your ordinary
tourist attraction. Out here, the story is in the cotton fields
and the generations that have tended them; the tensions and
conflicts of the Civil War; the lakes, rivers, and dramatic
natural events that have shaped this part of the country.
Listen to the rushing water of the river and learn about the
life and commerce it has carried; hear Delta blues with
roots as deep as native crops. This is the story and the face
of the land touched by “Old Man River”, always changing
with the flow of time and season.
Symbol Key:
For complete visitor information
on Tennessee, call 1-800-GO2-TENN
or visit tnvacation.com.
Paper contains
10% recycled
content.
Great
Outdoors
National Register
of Historic Places
AfricanAmerican
heritage
Land Trust
for Tennessee
Picture Spot
Civil War
Live Music
Venue
Festivals
Lodging
state-owned
historic site
Tennessee
Main Street
Program
Food & Wine
Motorcycle
Route
(R) Right
Find more information at GreatRiverRoadTrail.com.
(L) Left
taking in the trail
• These 240 miles are full of historic sites, preserved homes
and museums that bring the stories of the Great River
Road to life. Many of them require advance reservations,
admission, or both to experience our history.
• Many historic buildings, like Alex Haley’s boyhood home,
open their doors to visitors. Many properties remain
as they have for over a century: private residences.
Please be respectful of the private land and homeowners
on our tour.
• This is a drive that promises an off-the-beaten-path
Tennessee experience. What we can’t promise is steady
cell phone service. Don’t be surprised if you don’t always
have a signal.
• The Great River Road National Scenic Byway features
long, beautiful stretches of scenic driving. Make sure you
fill your tank and use the restroom in the towns along
the way. There will always be a “next town” on the route,
but it may not be within the next few miles.
• Don’t forget to visit your favorite online review sites
(like tripadvisor.com or yelp.com) and help us blaze a trail
to these wonderful hidden gems.
The colorful stories and interesting facts you’ll find along the
Great River Road Byway & Trail have been uncovered with the
invaluable help of
county tourism partners,
the Mississippi River
Corridor in Tennessee,
and historians in these
communities.
Visit
Msrivertn.org for more
information.
Pictured on cover: Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville; Owl at Meeman-Shelby Forest
State Park, Millington; Mud Island River Park, Memphis. Pictured above: Bald eagle at
Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville; DeSoto Bridge across Mississippi River, Memphis;
Dr. Walter E. David Wildlife Museum, Dyersburg; Downtown Covington; Alex Haley
Museum & Interpretive Center, Henning.
1
memphis
The city of Memphis was originally settled by the Spanish in the
late 1700s. It was officially founded in 1819 by a group of property
investors that included Andrew Jackson, and named for the ancient
capital of Egypt. The area proved tough to develop, with natural
disasters, epidemics, and competitions with neighboring cities
presenting challenges to the first residents. When the railroad came
to town in 1842, Memphis began to grow, and by the 1860s, the
city’s railroads connected it to the Southeast and Midwest. The city
grew to 12 times its size in those 20 years, with many German and
Irish immigrants shaping the culture. Once a slave trading center
in the 1850s, the city has been an important landmark for AfricanAmerican cultural experience as
well as a crucial battlefield in the
fight for civil rights. Memphis is
the birthplace of Holiday Inn and
FedEx, the famous home of Elvis
Presley and Beale Street, and a
popular destination for visitors
from around the world.
DIRECTIONS
119 N. Riverside Dr.
Memphis
901-543-5333
Abbreviation Key:
R Right
L Left
N North
S South
E East
W West
Int. intersection
Riverside Dr.
Memphis
On N end of Mud Island.
Island Dr.
Memphis
2
Iowa Ave.
Memphis
N of I-55 bridge.
Channel 3 Dr.
Memphis
1. Riverside Drive Welcome Center
Pose for great photo
memories here with
bronze statues of Elvis
Presley and B.B. King
on the shores of the
mighty Mississippi, as
you prepare to head
out on the Great River
Road. Pick up info
about area attractions,
discount coupons for restaurants and hotels,
and get the inside scoop on local events.
Park and walk to visit
pts. 1-5.
All parks in pt. 2 are
2. Memphis Riverfront Parks – Experience
located downtown
the Mississippi Riverfront in Memphis at
along the river.
any one of these 10 beautiful parks along
Between Tennessee
Welcome Center &
Cobblestone Wharf.
Beale St. & S. Bluff
Memphis
the water.
Jefferson Davis
Park – Bring your
camera for great
views of the
Mississippi River
and Mud Island,
and take the
learning path to explore the riverbank’s
plants and wildlife as well as Civil War and
Memphis history.
Mississippi River Greenbelt Park – This
low-lying park is long and spacious, with
open lawns as well as tall shade trees,
perfect for jogging or biking alongside the
Mississippi River.
Tom Lee Park –
Spanning a mile
and a half, this
park has great
views of the river
and is the site
of Memphis in May, the city’s
famous BBQ contest, and
other festivals throughout the
year. It’s named for Tom Lee
(pictured), a man who saved 32
people from a sinking steamboat in the 1920s,despite his inability to swim.
Crump Park Overlook – Get a great view
of the I-55 bridge from the gravel road
through this small, shaded city park.
Martyrs Park –
This city park and
memorial within
are dedicated to
Memphians who
risked their lives
to stay in the
city, tending the sick and burying the
dead during the yellow fever epidemic of
1878. From here, catch great views of the
Mississippi River.
names for the mississippi river
It’s an American tradition to try and tame the Mississippi River
with words. The river’s original name comes from the Ojibwe word
misi-zibi, meaning Great River, or gichi-ziibi, meaning Big River.
The river has been eulogized in Mark Twain’s Life On The Mississippi
and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn along with other river
novels that marvel at its power and beauty. The Mississippi River
has other nicknames such as:
Big River (Ojibwe)
Old Blue
Messipi (Ojibwe)
Large River
Great River (Ojibwe)
The Body of the Nation
Father of Waters (Algonquin)
(Mark Twain)
River of the Holy Spirit
The Great Sewer
(Hernando DeSoto)
(Mark Twain)
Ne Tongo (Sioux)
Strong Brown God (T.S. Eliot)
The Gathering of Waters
The Big Muddy
Old Man River
The Mighty Mississippi
El Grande
The Muddy Mississippi
Hernando DeSoto discovering the
Mississippi River, 1541.
See Great River Road National Scenic Byway & Trail map on page 12.
Riverside Dr.
Memphis
Riverside Blvd. &
Metal Museum Dr.
Memphis
Stairs to parks are across
Riverside Dr.
Vance Ave. & Butler Ave.
Memphis
Between Jefferson Ave.
& Court Ave., Front St.
& Riverside Dr.
Memphis
Did You
Know
125 N. Front St.
Memphis
901-576-7241
?
Did You
Know
?
Ashburn-Coppock Park Overlook – This
small, shaded park is connected to the
South Bluff with a pedestrian bridge.
Check out the stone lookout point.
Chickasaw Heritage Park – Enjoy this
city park located on the fourth Chickasaw
Bluff, the former
site of the Civil
War’s Confederate
Fort Pickering as
well as home to
earthen mounds
created by prehistoric peoples.
Vance Park and Butler Park – Take in
the incredible views atop the Mississippi
River bluffs at this pair of beautifully landscaped parks.
Confederate
Park – This park
features
shade
trees and a great
overlook, as well
as many memorials, plaques, and historical markers,
including a statue and memorial to Civil
War Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
During the Civil War, Tennessee was the last
state to leave the Union and the first state
to rejoin after the war ended.
3. Mud Island River Park/Mississippi River
Museum – This small peninsula between
the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers offers a
lot to do on its 52 acres, including the
Mississippi River Museum, River Park
and Mud Island
A mp h i t h e a t e r.
Take a ride on
the monorail and
don’t miss the
River Walk, a fiveblock-long, exact
scale model of the
Lower Mississippi
River.
Learn
about history and
geography as you
walk along — and
even in — the
flowing water of the “river.” It’s one of the
best and most unique ways to learn about
the mighty Mississippi. Open May-Oct.
Mud Island appeared around 1900 as a sandbar.
A few years later, it joined with the mainland,
just south of the mouth of the Wolf River.
mud island
The name “Mud Island” is a little misleading; it’s actually a
peninsula between the Wolf River and the Mississippi River. But
even before it was a peninsula, it first appeared as a sandbar in the
late 1890s and increased in size during the floods of 1912. Legend
says that the sandbar emerged as a buildup of silt around a sunken
Civil War gunboat battle. By the Great Depression, squatters began
living on the island, though it flooded almost every year. Public
discussion centered on whether
to use the island or to blow it
up, and eventually an airport was
installed in the 1960s. Now the
island is home to a river park,
amphitheater and museum. It’s also
a great place to rent canoes and
kayaks during the summer months.
Downtown Memphis
901-274-MATA
4. Memphis Trolley – Climb aboard a
restored vintage
trolley car for an
unforgettable trip
along the mighty
Mississippi River
and
downtown
Memphis. The Main
Street Line follows the original mule-drawn
trolley; the Riverfront Loop travels a
breathtaking stretch of the river.
45 S. Riverside Dr.
Memphis
901-527-BOAT
5. Memphis Riverboats – Take a 90-minute
sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi led
by a “Riverlorian,” providing live historical
commentary. As
entertaining as
it is educational,
you’ll see the
river through the
eyes of Native
Americans,
settlers, soldiers, and boatmen. Dinner &
music cruises also available.
Depart pt. 1 and cross
Riverside Dr. to
Front St. Turn R on
Front St., go to corner
of Front & Union Ave.
to pt. 6.
6. Cotton Museum/
Memphis Cotton
Exchange – Visit
this museum in the
historic Memphis
Cotton Exchange,
once the very
center of the global cotton trade. Learn about
how this simple crop shaped America’s
economy, culture, and history, and take
the self-guided tour of Cotton Row, the
historic block surrounding the museum.
65 Union Ave.
Memphis
901-531-7826
3
Go W on Union Ave.
toward Riverside Dr.
Turn L on Riverside Dr.
It merges into/becomes
I-55S. Take exit 7,
US-61S (Vicksburg).
Turn R onto Mitchell
Rd., go 3 miles to pt. 7
visitor center.
1500 Mitchell Rd.
Memphis
901-543-7581
Pt. 8 is inside pt. 7.
Exit R out of visitor
center, bear L onto
Plant Rd. Follow road to
pt. 8 entrance on L.
T. O. Fuller State Park
1987 Indian Village Dr.
Memphis
901-785-3160
7. T.O. Fuller State Park – This 1,100-acre
state park, located within the Memphis
city limits, offers
camping, hiking
and picnicking.
Birdwatchers and
wildlife lovers will
be right at home
here. This was the
first state park east of the Mississippi to be
open to African-Americans, and only the
second in the U.S.; it is named for Thomas
O. Fuller, who made educating AfricanAmericans his life’s work.
8. Chucalissa Museum & Archaeological Site
– Visit the remains
of a prehistoric
village
found
during a 1940
swimming pool
excavation inside
T.O. Fuller State
Park. Tour the museum and preserved
archaeological dig to learn more about the
Chucalissa people — the original Memphis
residents — through their pottery,
dwellings, weapons, jewelry, and tools. This
National Historic Landmark gives you a
glimpse into the Mississippian villages
Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto and his
party encountered when they arrived near
Memphis in the mid-1500s.
Mississippi River Corridor
The Mississippi River Corridor in Tennessee exists to
identify, conserve and interpret the region’s natural, cultural
and scenic resources and to improve the quality of life and
prosperity along Tennessee’s “west coast.” The non-profit
group has been instrumental in developing the Great River
Road National Scenic Byway & Trail; look for the organization’s
River Times magazine
at stops along the trail
or visit Msrivertn.org
to learn more about the
organization and the area.
Did You
Know
?
yellow fever
In 1873, the Mississippi River brought yellow fever to
Memphis, a city prone to epidemics due to poor sanitation. Over
25,000 people fled the city. Most never returned, causing the city
to lose its charter. About 20,000 stayed, 14,000 of whom were
African-Americans. Most of the remaining whites died, but only
1,000 African-Americans perished, thanks to a natural resilience to
the mosquito-transmitted disease. For the
first time, African-Americans were the
racial majority in Memphis, holding
leadership positions and jobs formerly
reserved only for whites. This made
Memphis different from other Southern
cities at the time — this was the era
of Beale Street, the birth of the blues,
and Robert Church, the first AfricanAmerican millionaire. Yellow fever not
only changed the city’s population; it
shaped its culture.
4
A hallmark of Mississippian culture was slashand-burn style agriculture, in which bushes
and trees were burned so new crops could
grow in between. At Chucalissa, the main
crops were corn, beans and squash, as well
as evidence of gourds, pumpkins and tobacco.
allows you to see
them being made
as well. Learn more
about the art of metalwork — sculpture to
jewelry, contemporary to antique — at the
only U.S. institution of its kind.
Leave pt. 9 via Metal
10.Fire Museum of Memphis – Visit the
Museum Dr., turn R on
legendary Fire Engine House No.1 and learn
Alston/I-55S. Turn L and
about all things flame. From exploring turnmerge onto I-55S. Take
of-the century, horse-drawn fire wagons
exit 12B onto Riverside Dr.
to fighting the
Turn R on Adams to pt. 10
simulated flames
on L, just past Main St.
Trolley Line.
from a burning
118 Adams Ave.
Memphis
901-320-5650
Leave pt. 10 going E on
Adams. Turn L onto
3rd St. Turn L onto
A.W. Willis. Turn R onto
2nd St. to pt. 11 in small
house on R.
826 N. 2nd St.
Memphis
901-527-3427
?
Leave pt. 11, go L on
2nd St. Take 1st L onto
Chelsea Ave. Turn L onto
US-51N/Thomas St. Go
12.9 miles to pt. 12
on R.
Exit pt. 8 to US-61/
9. National Ornamental Metal Museum –
3rd St. Turn L onto
This museum gives
US-61/3rd St. Exit I-55N
you a rare opportunity
(St. Louis), follow I-55N
to not only view works
to exit 12C (Metal Museum
of art in metal, but
Dr.) to pt. 9.
374 Metal Museum Dr.
Memphis
901-774-6380
Did You
Know
skyscraper, you’ll
find interactive
exhibits and much
more at this “hot”
attraction.
11.Slave Haven Museum – This 1849
clapboard house served as a way station
on the Underground Railroad, a secret
series of hiding places for runaway slaves
seeking freedom in the North and Canada.
Take the tour and visit the hidden tunnels,
trap doors, and cellars where slaves waited
7170 Hwy 51N
Millington
901-873-3150
facebook
fan
favorite
for their chance
to escape to the
Mississippi River
on their way to
the next secret
stop. The house
is furnished with
period pieces and slavery artifacts. Hours
vary; call ahead for information.
In the mid-1800s, slaves used quilt patterns
to send secret messages to each other. See
quilts on display at point 11.
12.Jones Orchard Market & Kitchen – This
is the spot where the Jones Orchard jams,
jellies, and relishes are made in small
batches from fruit
grown on the nearby
farm. Stop in for a
home-cooked
meal
and a jar of jelly to
take home.
We picked apples, peaches and
pears up at your orchard this morning. Had a great time
— and you have some of the nicest employees around!
Leave pt. 12 going R onto
US-51. Take 1st L onto
Old Millington R. to pt.
13 on L.
6748 Old Millington Rd.
Millington
901-873-4114
Did You
Know
?
13. Old Millington Vineyard & Winery – Just
14 miles north of Memphis, this country
winery produces
award-w inning
wines. Stop in
to taste reds,
whites, ports and
fruit wines, and
spend time in the
peaceful countryside. From April through
October, catch live outdoor concerts most
Sunday afternoons
Millington was the first town in Shelby
County to provide a school bus for its
students: a mule-drawn wagon.
14. Millington – This
small town, known
as “Flag City,
Tennessee”, was
founded in 1878
and named after
Mr. and Mrs. George
Millington, who donated the land for a
new town and a railroad station on the
new Chesapeake Ohio Railroad line, which
crossed through their plantation. It was
officially incorporated in 1903 and had the
first accredited school in Shelby County,
even before Memphis.
Leave pt. 13 going R on
Old Millington Rd. Turn L
onto US-51N. Turn R onto
Navy Rd. Turn L onto
C St. to pt. 15 on R.
7918 C St.
Millington
901-872-6464
Leave pt. 15 going L on
C St. Turn R onto
Navy Rd. Turn R onto
US-51N to pt. 16.
Did You
Know
?
15. Old Timers Restaurant
– Stop for a bite to
eat and a quick trip
through Millington’s
history at this local
favorite. The restaurant
proudly displays a
large collection of rare historic photographs
of the town, dating back to the early 1900s.
A model train circles the dining room, a
nod to Millington’s railroad heritage.
16.Covington – The
seat of Tipton
County, this town
was established
in 1824 and
chosen by the
state legislature
because of its location on a large hill with
a bountiful spring of water. During the
Civil War, the young men of Covington and
the surrounding towns formed the “Tipton
Rifles,” the first Confederate outfit from the
county. Today, it’s a small West Tennessee
town with lots of history and charm.
The world’s oldest BBQ contest is held in
Covington every year in Cobb Parr Park.
Sultana Disaster
The worst maritime disaster in U.S. history did not happen in
a raging ocean, but in the middle of the Mississippi River, just seven
miles north of Memphis. In April of 1865, the Sultana steamboat
carried 2,300 Union prisoners of war, who had just been released
when the Civil War ended. Only a few weeks earlier, President
Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated and Confederate States of
America President Jefferson Davis had been captured by Union troops.
The state-of-the-art Sultana was sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi,
to pick up the Union P.O.W.s and take them north. One of the boilers
sprung a leak in Vicksburg. The workers patched it, not wanting to
risk losing any time and perhaps losing their payment for the
return of the P.O.W.s. The three decks could be seen sagging from
the weight of all the men packed in.
Shortly after a stop in Memphis in
the early hours of April 27, three
boilers exploded, with the patched
one going first. Fire consumed the
smokestacks and they fell on the
decks. The flames, debris and water
took the lives of 1,700 passengers;
200 more than the Titanic.
5
Continue on US-51N.
Turn L onto
Bert Johnston Ave.
to pt. 17 on L.
751 Bert Johnston Ave.
Covington
901-476-0242
Did You
Know
17. Tipton County Museum/Nature Center –
Explore military history, environmental
education
and
West Tennessee
heritage at this
museum
and
20-acre wildlife
sanctuary. Take a
stroll on the .5mile nature trail through the forest and
wetlands, or enjoy a picnic on the grounds
of the largest urban park in the county.
?
The blood-stained first national flag of the
Confederacy carried by Company C, 9th
Tennessee Infantry in the Civil War Battles
of Shiloh and Perryville is on display at the
Tipton County Museum.
Leave pt. 17, go R onto
Bert Johnston Ave. Turn
L onto US-51N. Turn R
onto Garland. At deadend, turn R onto
S. College. Take 1st L
onto W. Sherrod. Turn L
onto S. Main to pt. 18.
18. South Main Historic District – Take a look
back into the turn of the 20th century in this
historic district
around S. Main
Street. At the
time, this was
Covington’s most
affluent neighborhood; today, it’s a
collection of 75 lovingly restored Queen
Anne, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Foursquare and Greek Revival-style buildings.
S. Main St.
Covington
901-476-9727
Stay on S. Main to
pt. 19.
Tipton Co. Courthouse
102 E. Court Sq.
Covington
Park and walk to
visit pts. 19-23.
106 W. Liberty Ave.
Covington
901-476-9727
19.Covington Court
Square – You’ll
find unique shops
and quaint restaurants on this
charming square
surrounding the
historic 1889 Tipton County Courthouse.
Great care has been taken to restore the
courthouse and storefronts here, creating
an inviting and charming spot for tourists
and locals.
20. Covington-Tipton County
Chamber of Commerce
113 W. Pleasant Ave.
Covington
901-476-3439
6
Open Mon.-Fri.
21. Ruffin Theatre – This restored 1930s Art
Deco-style theater is marked by a great old
sign, and continues
to entertain the
area as host to
events, community
theater, productions and concerts.
King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Did You
alex haley
The region around the Great River Road has produced many
famous Americans, including world-famous author Alex Haley.
Drawing on the stories of his extended family, Haley created
Roots: The Saga of An American Family, the story of AfricanAmerican slaves in the South. The 1976
book won a Pulitzer Prize and its television
adaptation won over 145 awards, including nine
Emmys. Haley is buried on the grounds of his
grandparents’ home in Henning and
a statue honoring him stands on the
White Lightning: Thunder Road to
Rebels Trail in Knoxville, the largest
monument to an African-American
in the United States.
Elvis Presley performed on the Ruffin stage
in 1955. Open for performances.
303 S. Munford St.
Covington
901-476-6577
Did You
Know
?
211 N. Main St.
Covington
901-476-2489
22.St. Matthews Episcopal Church – This
1858 Gothic structure
was one of the first
churches in Covington,
built by slaves. Three
of the stained glass
windows were discarded from Canterbury
Cathedral in England
during renovations,
shipped
to
New
Orleans, up the Mississippi and overland to
Covington. Services are still held here every
Sunday, as they have been for over 160 years.
Know
?
You’re crossing the Hatchie River, a designated
scenic river, listed by the Nature Conservancy
as one of the 75 last
great remaining places
on earth. It’s also the
only river in West
Tennessee that is not
channelized — a
process of re-engineering its path in places to control flow and flooding.
On W side of sq., take
W. Liberty St. to US-51.
Turn R onto US-51N. Bear
R onto TN-209 just past
rest area to pt. 24.
24. Henning – This was the first railroad town
in Lauderdale County, with a depot first
appearing in the
early 1870s. The
town has a strong
history of industrial innovation
and a rich AfricanAmerican heritage, from slavery to freedmen
business owners to author Alex Haley.
Did You
Know
?
Stay on TN-209, turn L
onto Haley St. in middle
of town. Haley St.
dead-ends at pt. 25.
200 S. Church St.
Henning
731-738-2240
Thanks to the Charms Co. factory in
Covington, Tipton County is known as
the “Blow Pop Capital of the World,”
producing one billion Blow Pops, Sugar
Daddy pops and Charms pops each year.
23. Canaan Baptist Church – This 1917 church
was originally organized in 1868, just after
the end of the Civil
War. It is the oldest
Af r ic a n - A m e r ic a n
Missionary
Baptist
Church in Covington,
and is still considered
a cornerstone of the
Af r ic a n - A m e r ic a n
community here. It
has been listed on the
National Register of Historic Places for its
role in shaping Tipton County’s AfricanAmerican heritage.
The Alex Haley home is the first state-owned
historic site devoted to African-Americans
in Tennessee.
25. Alex Haley Museum & Interpretive Center
– Visit the spot
where Alex Haley
spent much of his
childhood:
the
home of his grandparents, Will and
Cynthia Palmer.
It was here on
this porch that
Haley likely heard
the stories that
inspired the now
world-f amous
Roots: The Saga of
An American Family, which earned him the
1976 Pulitzer Prize. The author is buried
on the front lawn of the home, which has
been restored and furnished with some of
the original 1919 furniture, memorabilia
and family artifacts. A state-of-the-art
museum and genealogy center sits behind
the home.
Leave pt. 25 on Haley St. 26. Bethlehem Cemetery – Visit
Retrace route back to
the Haley family burial plot,
TN-209/Main St. Turn L
final resting place of the real
onto TN-209/Main St. Turn
“Chicken George” (pictured),
R onto Henning-Bethlehem
one of Alex Haley’s slave
Rd. at TN-87W. Turn L onto
Tate Rd. Pt. 26 is straight
ancestors portrayed by actor Ben Vereen in
ahead.
the television adaptation of Roots.
Hwy 51N & Hwy 87E
Henning
901-738-2240
rhythm & blues legends
Like the sound of the blues, many great musicians have roots
in the sharecropping towns along the Great River Road.
Isaac Hayes – This soul performer and DJ was born in 1942
into a sharecropping family in Tipton County. At the age of seven,
he moved to Memphis and took up odd jobs to help with the
family income, like shining shoes on Beale Street. Hayes became
a sensation at high school talent shows and with the school band.
He skipped college to become a house musician at Stax Records
and joined sessions where he met his writing partner, David Porter,
forming one of the most successful songwriting collaborations in
the 1960s. They developed the “Stax Sound” with hits for Sam &
Dave, Otis Redding and others. Hayes went on to
record several of his own albums, create a film score
for the movie Shaft and win several Grammy Awards.
Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame in 2002. He died in 2008 in Memphis.
John Henry Barbee – This Henning native
learned his unique mix of storytelling and slide
blues from playing in homes of the local townspeople.
An early pioneer of the Mississippi Delta blues style,
Barbee caught the ear of legendary harmonica player
Sonny Boy Williamson and toured with him in the
1930s. Later in Chicago, Barbee appeared on records
with Memphis Slim, Muddy Waters and Howlin’
Wolf before quitting the music business. Barbee died
in 1964, as his work was drawing new attention thanks to the
American Folk Blues Festival European tour.
Peetie Wheatstraw – This Ripley native was an easygoing
vocalist and piano player who mesmerized crowds with his laidback intros and hardscrabble narratives about tough times. In the
late 1920s, Wheatstraw toured the South and later moved to St.
Louis, itching for a bigger city. Once arriving in town, he created
a new persona, touting himself as “The Devil’s Son-In-Law” and
the “High Sheriff of Hell,” a publicity tactic used
by Robert Johnson and other bluesmen. Wheatstraw
died at the age of 39, when his car was hit by a train
at a railroad crossing. Lauded as a hero by much of the
African-American community, his namesake appears
as a minor character in the Ralph Ellison classic,
Invisible Man.
Sleepy John Estes – Also from Ripley, he lost
sight in his right eye after a friend threw a rock at him
during a baseball game. In the beginning of the Great
Depression, Estes was playing on a corner in Memphis
when a record label scout heard the sound and
quickly recorded Estes at the Peabody Hotel. Estes
also made his way to Chicago and recorded more
songs with Charlie Pickett, Son Bonds and Lee Brown. He became
known for not only his country-blues, but for his unusual vocal
sob that’s been described as “crying the blues.” In the 1950s, Estes
retired to Brownsville. Like Barbee, Estes returned in the ’60s and
toured with other blues musicians as part of the American Folk
Blues Festival. He died in Brownsville in 1977.
7
Leave pt. 26 on Tate Rd.
Turn R onto HenningBethlehem Rd. It
becomes TN-87W after
crossing TN-209/
Main St. Turn R onto
US-51N to pt. 27.
Did You
Know
?
Stay on US-51N, turn
R onto TN-208S/
Cleveland St. At deadend, turn L onto Lake Dr.
Turn R onto Monroe St.
Turn L onto Jackson St.
Pt. 28 is straight ahead.
Lauderdale Co. Courthouse
Court Sq.
Ripley
731-635-3500
Park and walk to
visit pts. 28 & 30.
Did You
Know
?
Pts. 29 & 30 are at
same location.
123 S. Jefferson St.
Ripley
731-635-9541
8
27.Ripley – This small
town, founded in 1836,
is the seat of
Lauderdale
County
and an anchor for this
agricultural community. It’s known far
and wide for its tomatoes, and holds
a popular tomato festival every summer.
Ripley is the birthplace of legendary bluesman
William Bunch, better known as ”Peetie
Wheatstraw, The Devil’s Son-in-Law,” perhaps
the first blues musician to suggest he had a
relationship with the devil in
order to inspire curiosity and
draw listeners. This publicity
tactic was most famously used by
blues musician Robert Johnson.
28. Downtown Ripley
– Visit this newlyrenovated town
square and downtown district with
new storefronts
and sidewalks that
make strolling this quaint spot a true
pleasure. The 1930s Art Deco Lauderdale
County Courthouse is a unique find for
West Tennessee. It has recently undergone
extensive eco-friendly renovations as a
part of the town’s $8 million revitalization
project, including gorgeous lighting — a
treat for after-dark visitors.
Lauderdale County is the only one of the six
Tennessee counties of the Mississippi River
Corridor that floods
regularly.
Natural
bluffs and man-made
levees keep the river
from overflowing into
the fields and forests
of the other counties.
Did You
Know
?
Go W on Jackson, turn R
onto Monroe St. Turn L on
Lake Dr. Turn R on
TN-208/Cleveland St.
Cross over US-51N, road
becomes TN-208/EdithNankipoo Rd. Go approx.
10 miles to pt. 31.
7225 Edith-Nankipoo Rd.
Ripley
731-635-7660
Pt. 32 is across street
from pt. 31.
7240 Edith-Nankipoo Rd.
Ripley
731-635-2720
31. Rat’s Café – This
cozy café serves
up a great plate
lunch and the
best burgers in
Lauderdale County.
32.Moore’s Grocery
– Just across
the street from
Rat’s is an oldfashioned, momand-pop general
store and deli.
This is a great place to pick up groceries
and get a feel for the local atmosphere.
Tennessee Civil War TrailS
Between 1861-1865, Tennessee was a hotbed of Civil War
activity. Forming the northern border of the Confederate
States of America, Tennessee was the last state to secede from
the Union and the first to rejoin after the war’s end. Many of
the war’s important sites are preserved and marked as a part
of the Tennessee Civil War Trails program, part of a five-state
trails system that helps visitors explore the
Civil War through the places that tell its story.
The Mississippi River was vital to both sides
of the conflict; look for markers throughout
the Great River Road National Scenic Byway &
Trail, and pick up trail brochures at any of the
information centers and many of the museums
on the route. Learn more at tnvacation.com.
29. Lauderdale County
Chamber of Commerce
30. Lauderdale County
Museum – Learn
about the area’s
history and see
special exhibits in
the 1842 Sugar Hill
Mansion.
The bell of the 1892 First
Presbyterian Church on Jefferson
Street in Ripley was cast
partially from silver dollars,
giving it a beautiful tone.
®
Tennessee’s Civil War Sesquicentennial
commemorates the 150th anniversary of the
state’s participation in
the American Civil
War. Tennessee ranks
second in the country
in number of battlefields, and presents a
unique and powerful
history to Civil War
enthusiasts
and
curious visitors.
Continue same direction
33.Charlene’s Colony of
on Edith-Nankipoo Rd.
Shoppes – This unique
for approx. 9.5 miles.
shopping experience
Enjoy the beautiful inland
includes an antique
bluff-top drive. Turn L onto
store, located in a
TN-88W to pt. 33 on L.
2257 Hwy 88W
Halls
731-836-5418
Just Divine Tea Room:
731-836-6113
Did You
Know
?
former World War
II U.S. Army base
hospital building, and
a tearoom, housed
in a 1950s church
structure. Both buildings have been moved
to this location from
their original sites
in the county. Stop in for shopping, afternoon tea, or more — Just Divine Tea Room
also serves lunch and dinner.
Land surveyor Henry Rutherford of North
Carolina explored this area in 1785. He carved
his initials into a leaning sycamore tree near
Halls; it marked the point from which West
Tennessee surveys would begin. He later
returned in the early 1800s to establish a
nearby settlement by the same name.
34.Veterans Museum – Immerse yourself in
TN-88E. Cross over US-51,
military history and the legacy of the World
turn L onto Gate 6 Rd. Turn
War II Army Air Corp. at this museum,
R onto Industrial. Turn L
located in a former B-17 Flying Fortress
onto Higdon. Turn R onto
bomber training facility. The site, now home
Co-op to pt. 34 on L.
100 Veteran’s Dr.
Halls
731-836-7400
Did You
Know
?
Leave pt. 34, retrace
route back to TN-88E.
Turn L onto TN-88E to
Halls. Turn R onto
N. Church St. Pt. 35 is
just past W. Main St.
109 S. Church St.
Halls
731-836-9057
Flooding along the
mississippi river
Flooding along the Mississippi River can cause devastation for
the people living there, but the natural flooding of the river also
creates important habitats for migrating birds and other wildlife.
In 1912, overflowing tributaries swamped Hathaway,
Reelfoot, Bessie and 250 miles of Lauderdale County. Memphis
suffered approximately $1.4 million in damage (pictured). The
next year, floods struck again and the levee in Memphis collapsed
when the water reached 46 feet. More than 1,000 families were
ousted from their homes and over 2,000 square miles were flooded.
A flood in 1927 almost destroyed Ridgely and the American Red
Cross was quick on the scene with a relief camp, one of 154 that
year along the Mississippi River. It brought needed attention
to the area that was already affected with immense social and
medical needs beyond that year’s floods.
But flooded areas along the Mississippi River provide
important habitats for migrating birds that move south for
the winter, especially in Lauderdale County. Forty percent of
the nation’s migratory birds follow the river southward. In the
spring a lower depth is managed for shorebirds, while waterfowl
prefer deeper water in the fall and winter. The Chickasaw
National Wildlife Refuge outside Ripley and the Lower Hatchie
National Wildlife Refuge near Henning implement “moist-soil
management” flood systems to establish ecosystems for the birds
to thrive.
to Arnold Field,
was one of several
training bases in
Tennessee, chosen
for its similarity
to the European
countryside.
The Memphis Belle,
a World War II B-17
Bomber
now
on
display in Ohio, was
named as a tribute to
the pilot’s sweetheart
who lived in Memphis.
The actual name was inspired by the riverboat
in the 1942 film Lady for a Night.
35.Murray Hudson
Antiquarian Shop
– For over 30
years, proprietor
Murray Hudson
has collected and
curated an incredible inventory of over 25,000 antique maps,
globes, and historical books and prints, like
the first U.S. atlas, dating back to 1795.
Did You
Know
?
The nearby river town of Barr once
had a reputation with traveling
youth baseball teams; its soil is so
sandy that dropped catches wouldn’t bounce
on the ground.
Great River Road continues on page 17.
9
Food & Wine
along the great river road
Here are just some of the many places to eat along the Great River Road. Find more options at
GreatRiverRoadTrail.com. Restaurants are listed here by town, in the order it appears on the trail.
memphis
Ripley
Alcencia’s Desserts & Preserves – Soul food at its finest and excellent
daily specials. Don’t miss the preserves. 317 N. Main St. 901- 523-0200.
Beale Street – Lots of variety including:
Alfred’s – Bar and grill with great view. 197 Beale St. 901-525-3711.
Dyer’s Burgers – The secret is the “ageless” cooking grease, strained
daily and used for nearly a century. 205 Beale St. 901-527-3937.
Itta Bena – Reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy with “secret entrance”
from inside BB Kings Blues Club. 145 Beale St. 901-578-3031.
King’s Palace – Cozy little jazz joint. 162 Beale St. 901-521-1851.
Rum Boogie Café – Cajun-inspired BBQ menu items served daily.
182 Beale St. 901-528-0150.
Silky O’Sullivan’s – It’s St. Patrick’s Day year-round. 183 Beale St.
901-522-9596.
Chisholm Lake Restaurant – (See pg. 22, pt. 59) 23 Chisholm Lake
Camp Rd. 731-221-5999.
Deb’s Lunch Box – Known for shrimp Creole, daily meat and veggie
special and Southern favorites. 365 Hwy 51N. 731-635-3033.
Rat’s Cafe – (See pg. 8, pt. 31) 7225 Edith-Nankipoo Rd. 731-635-7660.
Charlie Vergos Rendezvous – World-famous for their charcoalbroiled pork ribs. Closed Mon. 52 S. 2nd St. 901-523-2746.
YELP.COM: The dry rub is flavorful, the ribs are smokey and the flavor is
awesome! There’s sauce on the table if you like them a little wet...
Gus’s World Famous Fried – A don’t-miss for fried chicken fans; multiple
locations including this on-trail site. 310 S. Front St. 901-527-4877.
McEwen’s – Fine dining meets casual ambience and contemporary
Southern cuisine. 120 Monroe Ave. 601-527-7085.
The Arcade – On National Historic Register and in business since
1919; oldest restaurant in Memphis. 540 S. Main St. 901-526-5757.
The Trolley Stop Market – Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Farmers Market
with 80+ local food and artisan vendors. 704 Madison Ave. 901-526-1361.
Millington
Old Timers Restaurant – (See pg. 5, pt. 15) 7918 C St. 901-872-6464.
Olympic Steaks & Pizza – A little bit of everything, including pizza,
chicken, catfish and shrimp. 8500 Wilkinsville Rd. 901-872-7766.
Shelby Forest General Store – (See pg. 23, pt. 64) 7729 Benjestown Rd.
901-876-5770.
Drummonds / Munford
Dakota’s Cuisine – Down-home authentic Louisiana-style fare. 5754
Richardson Landing Rd., Drummonds. 901-835-2323.
Heritage Café – Breakfast all day, plus Friday catfish special; more
than 25 sandwiches on menu. 9 Bass St.,
Munford. 901-837-1965. ‎
covington
Marlo’s Down Under – Enjoy SouthernFrench-American
cuisine
downtown.
102 Court Sq. E. 901-475-1124. (pictured)
10
HALLS
Just Divine Tea Room – (See pg. 9, pt. 33) 2257 Hwy 88W. 731-836-6113.
Pig-n-Out – Great BBQ and deli favorites, plus an ice cream parlor.
225 N. Front St. 731-836-5353.
Dyersburg
Cozy Kitchen – Local favorite serves classic Southern home cooking.
107 W. Market St. 731-285-1054.
Cruizers Grill – Feast on grilled fresh seafood in an upbeat, friendly
atmosphere. 2495 Lake Rd. 731-285-6010.
Lupo’s Italian Steakhouse – Traditional Italian dishes, steaks,
brick-oven pizzas and excellent wine and spirits. 2320 Amanda Ave.
731-287-0088.
Neil’s Barbecue & Grill – Tennessee BBQ, Southern sausage and fried
pickles; save room for house specialty, “Baked Fudge.” 470 Mall Blvd.
731-285-2628.
union CITY
Another Thyme – Classic tearoom offering fresh salads, sandwiches
and homemade desserts. 316 N. 1st St. 731-885-5700.
Legacy Restaurant – Refined old-style diner; full breakfast menu
daily, lunch buffet and mid-day menu, dinner selections with wine
pairings. 705 E. Reelfoot Ave. 731-885-8035.
Sassafraz Restaurant – Choose from pastas, pork, chicken, beef and
seafood dinner entrees. Salads, burgers and sandwiches served for
lunch. 2205 W. Reelfoot Ave. 731-884-1877.
area lodging
Eagle Nest Resort – Lodging options include
motel, mobile homes and cabins; property
includes pool, clubhouses and access to lake.
256 W. Lakeview Dr., Samburg. 1-877-EAGLE01.
For camping along the Great River Road,
see page 14, State Parks.
Tiptonville, 1st weekend
There are many wonderful places to stay along the Great River Road. Find
a complete list at GreatRiverRoadTrail.com. Accommodations are listed in
trail order, beginning in Memphis. Call ahead for most lodging reservations.
Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis-Beale Street – Tune in to the
birthplace of the blues. 175 Peabody Pl., Memphis. 901-260-4000.
Holiday Inn Select Downtown Memphis – Within walking distance of
downtown attractions. 160 Union Ave., Memphis. 901-525-5491.
Madison Hotel – AAA Four Diamond Award winner
and Conde’ Nast “Top 75 U.S. Hotel”, near downtown.
79 Madison Ave., Memphis. 901-333-1200.
Peabody Hotel – Four-star hotel, just off Beale St.
149 Union Ave., Memphis. 901-529-4000. (pictured)
Did You KNOW
?
The famous Peabody Ducks descend from
their penthouse suite at 11 a.m. and walk
the red carpet to the lobby’s lavish fountain. At 5 p.m.,
after swimming all day, they reverse their trip.
The Inn at Hunt Phelan – Luxury in an 1828 Antebellum mansion.
Four-star restaurant. 533 Beale St., Memphis. 901-525-8225.
The Westin Memphis Beale Street – Adjacent to world-famous Beale
Street. 170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave., Memphis. 901-334-5900.
Acorn Point Lodge – On banks of Reelfoot Lake; family-owned rustic
lodge featuring all the amenities of a hotel, complete with a beautiful
view. 1685 Lake Dr., Hornbeak. 731-538-9800.
Blue Bank Resort – Accommodations include lodge and motel; marina
for fishing or relaxing on deck. 813 Lake Dr., Hornbeak. 731-538-2112.
what did we miss ?
The information in this brochure represent
s just a few treasures
along Tennessee backroads. Check out
GreatRiverRoadTrail.com
for complete travel planning along this
trail
a link to Facebook where you can shar . While there, you’ll see
e your experiences on the
Great River Road. You can also post revie
ws on sites like Yelp.com or
TripAdvisor.com. Be a trail blazer — help
us build our trails and keep
them updated.
For wineries along the Great River Road, see page 16, Farms.
in the area
JANUARY
Eagle Tours – Reelfoot Lake – Early Jan.- Mid-March
Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration – Memphis – Graceland
april
Africa in April – Memphis – Beale St.
MAY
Memphis in May International Festival: Beale Street Music
Festival, World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest,
Sunset Symphony
Music on the Square – Covington – Sat. nights, May-June
JUNE
Halls Street Festival – Downtown Halls
JULY
Fourth of July Celebrations – Many towns along Great River Road
have a July 4th event. Visit GreatRiverRoadTrail.com to learn more.
Lauderdale County Tomato Festival –
Ripley – Weekend after 4th of July
AUGUST
Elvis Week – Memphis – Graceland, Mid-Aug.
Obion County Fair – Union City
SEPTEMBER
Dyer County Fair – Dyersburg – Early Sept.
Memphis Music & Heritage Festival – Labor Day weekend
International Goat Days Festival – Millington – 2nd weekend
Obion County Cornfest – Union City – Mid-Sept.
Lauderdale County Fair – Halls – Last weekend
Heritage Day with Arts & Crafts – Covington – 4th Sat.
Main Street Fall Festival – Dyersburg
Newbern Depot Days – Newbern
OCTOBER
tiptonville / hornbeak
Blue Bank Fish House Grill – At Blue Bank Resort;
Known for grilled entrees and sides with a Southern
flair. 813 Lake Dr., Hornbeak. 877-258-3226. (pictured)
Boyette’s – (See pg. 19, pt. 48) Hwy 21, Tiptonville.
731-253-7307.
Lakeview Dining Room – Serving American and Southern cuisine for
more than 60 years. 3550 Hwy 21E, Tiptonville. 731-253-7516.
The Pier Restaurant – The only restaurant on Reelfoot Lake; seafood
and Southern cuisine. 600 E. Lakeview Dr., Hornbeak. 731-538-2803.
Festivals & events
REELFOOT ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
RiverArtsFest – Memphis
Tipton County Barbeque Festival – Covington – World’s Oldest
Barbeque Cooking Contest
Wine Fest – Old Millington Winery – Millington
NOVEMBER
W.C. Handy Birthday Celebration – Memphis – Mid-Nov.
Christmas at Graceland – Memphis – Late Nov.- Early Jan.
DECEMBER
Festival of Trees – Covington
Christmas Parades – Many towns along Great River Road have
annual parades. Visit GreatRiverRoadTrail.com to learn more.
See
See GreatRiverRoadTrail.com
GreatRiverRoadTrail.comforfora acomplete
completeevent
eventlisting.
listing.
11
13
40
BURLISON
ATOKA
LAKELAND
175
r
Rive
205
269
54
179
72
57
79
104
BRADEN
59
64
194
MASON
14
209
39 36-38
HALLS
222
179
chie
Hat
88
179 76
SOMERVILLE
76
STANTON
70
BROWNSVILLE
Rive
r
54
87
77
211
104
412
40
19
188
rk Forked D
KENTON
eer R
22
45W
89
431
Harris
FULTON
J. Clark Akers
Wildlife Complex
RIVES
YORKVILLE
89
44-46
21
®
UNION
CITY
45W
Mason
Hall
51
42-43
5
166
GIBSON
N Fo
41
105
FRIENDSHIP
Tigrett
TROY
OBION
51
TRIMBLE
211
21
CROCKETT 189
22
OBION
NEWBERN
40
183
Tigrett WMA
412
155
HAYWOOD
19
Nutbush
180
GATES
88
35
Reelfoot
NWR
Obion River
HORNBEAK
21
DYER
34
22
Reelfoot Lake
State Park
& SNA
Samburg
51 210
88 33
51
RIPLEY
27-30
208
Lake
Isom
NWR
48
78
DYERSBURG
182
Bogota WMA
21
22
49-50
Reelfoot
Lake
157
47
WOODLAND
MILLS
KENTUCKY
great river road
national Scenic Byway continues
n into Kentucky on tn-78
78
Bogota
RIDGLEY
78
103
Owl
Hoot
FAYETTE
196
21 57
TIPTONVILLE
31-32
209
87
GALLAWAY
54 59
COLLIERVILLE
Wolf
193
64
GERMANTOWN
177
40
205
206
BRIGHTON
59
ARLINGTON
70
51
COVINGTON 16-23
78 MISSISSIPPI
BARTLETT
SHELBY
87
24-26
HENNING
51
19
22
Reelfoot
WMA
52-55
51
56
KY
MISSOURI
LAKE
55
Chickasaw
NWR
59
88
Moss
Island
WMA
Ernest
Rice
WMA
58
PagE
farms .......................................... 16
festivals & Events ......................... 11
food & wine ................................ 10
great outdoors ............................. 14
lodging ....................................... 11
Great river road extras:
Tumbleweed
181
WMA
155
Sunk Lake SNA
Hatchie River
TIPTON
14
181
Lower Hatchie NWR
Loosahatchie River
269
51
55
LAUDERDALE
GARLAND
14-15 MILLINGTON
264
240
12
176
MEMPHIS
51
SOUTHAVEN 55
61
55
9
1-6
11
10
51
Eagle
Lake
WMA
64
63
178
MUNFORD
Drummonds
Randolph
62
207
61
GILT
EDGE
60
John Tully SF
& WMA
Fort Pillow
State Historic
Park
MeemanShelby Forest
State Park
& SNA
great river road national Scenic Byway
continues S into Mississippi on uS-61
T.O. Fuller
State Park
7-8
Presidents
Island WMA
MEMPHIS
55
40 WEST
Mississippi
River
Wapanocca
NWR
55
ARKANSAS
MISSOURI
Find out more at
GreatRiverRoadTrail.com
Mississippi River
wat cH fo r tH
ES E
SI gn S al on g
tH E gr Eat rI
vE r
ro ad ro ut E.
MEM PHIS arE a
SElf -gu IdEd drI vIn g tou r
Base map by
Richard Quin
55
WMa - Wildlife
Management area
sNa - state Natural area
All locations on map are approximate. Map is not to scale.
Land Trust for Tennessee
Protected Property
Visitor Information
sF - state Forest
NWr - National Wildlife refuge
r
1 Point of Interest
Numbers in dark red circles correspond to numbered Points of interest throughout this guide.
D
ed
rk
Fo
ve
Ri
ee
r
12
13
other rivers
Hatchie River – Listed by the Nature Conservancy as one of the 75
last great remaining places on earth, the Hatchie River is the longest
free-flowing tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is free from
dams and channels and is a conservancy site because of its natural
floodplain and bottomland hardwood forests, with more than 100
species of fish and 35 species of mussels in its water.
Obion River – The Obion River has four forks that merge into
the main river before the town of Obion; it then empties into the
Mississippi River. A fork of the river that is now submerged is the
Bayou du Chien or the “River of the Dogs.” This fork disappeared
with the appearance of Reelfoot Lake after the New Madrid
earthquake, but a streambed can be seen going to the Obion River.
Forked Deer River – Surveyors noticed the bends of this river
resembled antlers and so the Forked Deer River (“forked” pronounced
with two syllables) was named. The South Fork stretches for over
100 miles and meets the North Fork southwest of Dyersburg and
joins the Obion River near Moss Island.
Wolf River – Vibrant wetlands along the 90-mile Wolf River are home
to migrating birds like egrets and osprey. Beginning in Northern
Mississippi and flowing into West
Tennessee, the Wolf River and the
Mississippi River form the cradle of
Memphis. The name “Wolf River”
was used by French surveyors due
to the abundance of red wolves
found along its banks.
Tennessee is filled with outdoor
adventures, and the Great River
Road has opportunities at every
turn. This guide provides you with
several options, but for more ways
to enjoy the great outdoors, go to
GreatRiverRoadTrail.com.
STATE PARKS
Fort Pillow State Historic Park – (See pg. 22, pt. 60) Overlooks
Mississippi River; features 38 campsites for tent camping and small
RVs, boat access and fishing on Fort Pillow Lake and picnic facilities.
3122 Park Rd., Henning. 731-738-5581.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park – (See pg.
23, pt. 63) Steep hills and deep ravines mark
what was once the course of the Mississippi
River. Park offers six cabins and 49 campsites
with electric and water hookups, fishing,
swimming, bicycling, hiking and picnicking.
910 Riddick Rd., Millington. 901-876-5215, 800-471-5293.
enjoy The Great Outdoors
Reelfoot Lake State Park – (See pg. 19, pt. 49) Two campgrounds with
100 sites, each with 30-amp electrical service; some with water, picnic
tables, grills and lakefront. Boating, fishing and hiking available.
2595 Hwy 21E, Tiptonville. 731-253-8003, 731-253-9652.
T.O. Fuller State Park – (See pg. 4, pt. 7) 45
campsites surrounded by beautiful hardwood
trees; tents and RVs welcome. Hiking, swimming and picnicking available. 1500 Mitchell
Rd., Memphis. 901-543-7581.
Local PARKS, nature centers
& trails
Lichterman Nature Center – Meadows, lakes,
and forests of this certified arboretum provide
an earthy oasis in the heart of metropolitan
Memphis. 65 acres perfect for nature walks
and wildlife watching; visitor center offers
fun space for hands-on exploration. 5992
Quince Rd., Memphis. 901-767-7322.
Memphis Riverfront Parks – (See pg. 2, pt. 2) Experience the
Mississippi Riverfront at one of 10 beautiful parks along water.
Mississippi River Trail – World-class bicycling route stretches from
Mississippi’s headwaters in Minnesota all the way to New Orleans,
connecting 10 states. Tennessee portion stretches from Reelfoot Lake
State Park to Peabody Hotel in Memphis. MississippiRiverTrail.org.
Richard E. Donner Arboretum & Nature Trail
– A tornado in 2004 damaged and destroyed
several trees in this arboretum located on the
campus of Dyersburg State Community College
(behind the gym). Today, great care has been
taken to restore it for the community. Take a
walk on the 1-mile, well-marked trail to learn
about different types of trees. 1710 Lake Rd., Dyersburg. 731-285-6420.
Ripley City Park – 50-acre park features athletic fields, walking/
jogging trail, sand volleyball, playgrounds, tennis courts, pool and
picnic facilities. 200 Mary Robert Dr., Ripley. 731-635-4645.
Shelby Farms Park – 4,500-acre urban park, one of the country’s
largest, is almost five times as big as New York’s Central Park.
Walk, bicycle, fish or check out gorgeous view from visitor center.
500 N. Pine Lake Dr., Memphis. 901-767-PARK.
Did You KNOW
?
Shelby Farms Park was a working farm until the mid1960s; prison inmates farmed the land to feed other
prisoners and generate income for the state.
W. G. L. Rice Memorial Park – A gift by the Rice family, this park
serves as home to many African-American events. Noted for the famed
Labor Day Celebration. Rice Ave., Ripley. 731-635-9541.
Lakes, Marinas & Boat access
Duvall’s Landing – Public access boat ramp located near Moss Island
State WMA*. If you’re looking for a good spot to put your boat on the
water, this is one of them. Coon Valley Rd., Covington.
Did You KNOW
?
Much of the agriculture along the Mississippi River actually
lies within the boundaries of Wildlife Management Areas;
the crops are grown to attract and feed migrating birds.
Glenn Springs Lake – Gorgeous 310-acre lake with boat rentals, boat
ramp, fully stocked tackle shop and state fishing licenses for sale.
Anglers report great luck with largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and
catfish. Glenn Springs Rd., Millington. 901-835-5253.
McKellar Lake Marina – On McKellar Lake; the only full service marina
within 200 river miles of Memphis. 1875 McKellar Lake Dr., Memphis.
901-946-2000.
Mud Island Marina – Wide range of boat slips, both covered and
uncovered, for houseboats, cruisers, pontoon, ski and fishing boats,
as well as hydro lifts for personal watercraft. 57 N. Mud Island Rd.,
Memphis. 901-525-3808.
National wildlife refuges (NWR) &
STATE NATURAL AREAS (SNA)
Chickasaw NWR – 25,006-acre area includes
largest piece of bottomland hardwood forest
in Tennessee and serves as important winter
stopover for migrating birds. During peak
times, number of water birds in the refuge tops
250,000. From Ripley and US-51, go approx.
6 miles N on Edith-Central Rd. (becomes EdithNankipoo after passing through 4-way stop at Edith). Turn L on Hobe
Webb Rd., go approx. 1.5 miles to 1st road on R. Turn R on Sand Bluff Rd.,
go to bottom of bluff. Refuge HQ is on L. Management: 731-635-7621.
Lake Isom NWR – Formed by same 1811 earthquake along New Madrid
Fault, Lake Isom is a mini-version of Reelfoot Lake, and its surrounding
habitat is the oldest wildlife refuge in Tennessee. These 1,850 acres
become home to nearly 100,000 mallard ducks and 30,000 Canada
geese each winter, along with other water birds and wintering bald
eagles. From Union City, take TN-22N approx. 15 miles, turn R on TN-157.
Refuge HQ is 1 mile on L. Management: 731-538-2481.
Lower Hatchie NWR – Almost 9,500 acres preserved to protect
bottomland hardwood forests and habitats
of the Hatchie River Watershed, a vital piece
of endangered wetland. Nature lovers can
spot bald eagles and other wildlife. Located
N of Memphis between Covington and Ripley,
W of US-51N on TN-87W. Main office approx. 18
miles down TN-87W on L just before Mississippi
River. Management: 731-738-2296.
BirdWatching on the Great River Road
The landscape of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway
& Trail provides a vital stopover for several species of migrating
birds, particularly ducks, geese, egrets, herons
and other waterfowl and wading birds. The
river’s entire floodplain spans 30 million acres;
Audubon Great River Birding Trail highlights
hundreds of wonderful destinations for birdwatchers and nature lovers to experience these
important habitats. Several of the Tennessee
locations are listed here in this brochure.
Reelfoot NWR – 10,428-acre refuge area on northern part of Reelfoot
Lake and into Kentucky provides habitat for migratory birds. Stop by
visitor center to learn more about plants and animals — including
stinkpot turtles, hoary bats, cricket frogs, and others you may or may
not recognize — through exhibits and artifacts. Visitor center closed
weekends. From Union City, take TN-22N approx. 15 miles, turn R on
TN-157. Refuge HQ is 1 mile on L. Management: 731-538-2481.
Sunk Lake SNA – 1,800-acre site includes series of six shallow lakes,
bald cypress swamp, bottomland hardwood forest and marsh habitat
that provide a peaceful look into West Tennessee’s natural landscape
and a haven for migrating birds. For a great view of the water, venture
out on the 180-foot boardwalk near parking area. Boat ramp for nongasoline boats only. Open to public March 16-Nov. 14 due to refuge
status. From Covington, go N on US-51 to Henning, turn W on TN-87.
Turn R on Sunk Lake Rd., go 2.9 miles to gravel road
on R. Follow road to parking area. Management:
731-738-2296.
Did You KNOW
?
The six lakes of the Sunk Lake SNA were
formed by the same series of earthquakes that created Reelfoot Lake.
Five Hundred Pound Lake, one of the six in the Sunk Lake
SNA, got its name from a local man who claimed to have
caught 500 pounds of buffalo fish there in one day.
landtrust for tennessee
The Land Trust for Tennessee is a statewide, private nonprofit organization whose mission is “to preserve the unique
character of Tennessee’s natural and historic
landscapes and sites for future generations.”
The Land Trust for Tennessee works with
communities and government partners to
permanently
conserve
these unique areas. For
more information, visit
Landtrusttn.org or call 615-244-LAND.
*Wildlife Management Area
14
15
farms in the area
These are just a few of the homegrown attractions along the Great
River Road. For complete list, go to GreatRiverRoadTrail.com.
*
Great River Road continueD from page 9.
Leave pt. 35, go L to
TN-88W. Turn R onto
US-51N to pt. 36.
memphis area
Davies Manor Plantation – National
Wildlife Federation official Backyard Wildlife
Habitat. 1807 plantation home; Native
American mound. Closed Sun. & Mon. 9336
Davies Plantation Rd., Bartlett. 901-386-0715.
Did You KNOW
?
A Century Farm is a farm that has been continuously
owned by a family for 100 years or more. There are
93 certified Century Farms in the 6 Tennessee counties
that make up the Great River Road Byway & Trail.
Jones Orchard – (See pg. 5, pt. 12) Multiple locations in
Millington. Market & Kitchen: Produce, jams, jellies, relishes,
home-baked products. Meals served daily. 7170 Hwy 51N.
901-873-3150. Market: 6850 Singleton Pkwy. 901-872-0703.
U-Pick: 6824 Big Creek Church Rd. 901-872-2923. Corn Maze: Oct.
6880 Singleton Pkwy.
Old Millington Vineyard & Winery – (See pg. 5, pt. 13) Located
on part of the oldest farm in Shelby County. Open Wed.-Sun.
Live music, Sun. afternoon, April-Oct. 6748 Old Millington Rd.,
Millington. 901-873-4114.
Priddy Farms – Pumpkins, Oct.; Christmas
trees and greenery, hayrides and train rides,
Thanksgiving-Christmas Eve. 4595 N.
Germantown Rd., Bartlett. 901-314-0670.
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We had a wonderful time
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at your farm and look
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forward to making it a family tradition every year!
Uncle Fudd’s Fun Farm – Greenhouses and hanging baskets,
spring; Pumpkins, gourds, hayrides and train rides, petting zoo,
fall. 12635 Gallaway Levee Rd., Arlington. 901-867-0740.
Windermere Farms & Apiaries – Only certified organic farm in
West Tennessee. U-pick blackberries, blueberries, strawberries.
Honey available. 3060 Woodhills Dr., Memphis. 901-386-2035.
Ripley
Carmack Farms – Strawberries and corn; open daily, May & July.
152 Carmack Rd. 731-635-2088.
Ripley Farmers Market – Stop in this big red barn during growing
season to get a taste of the town’s famous tomatoes and other
homegrown goodness. May-Oct. Downtown Ripley.
dyersburg
Main Street Farmers Market – Tues. & Sat., Mid-June-Sept.
335 Clark Ave. S. 731-285-3433.
RoEllen Ranch Farm – Corn mazes, pumpkin patch and plenty of
wildlife and fresh air. Seasonal. Don Hurley Rd. 731-285-6929.
*Century Farm
16
learn more about history IN the
great river road area
Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it
Changed America by John M. Barry
The River Inside by John Guider
Wicked River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild
by Lee Sandlin
You can purchase these at Amazon.com
Did You
Know
?
River Times magazine published by the
Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee
Available online at Msrivertn.org or pick up a
printed copy at many stops along the trail.
Photo Credits: Photos by Glenn Cox-Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee: Reelfoot Lake
(cover), Ritz Theatre (pg. 1), Tipton Co. Museum (pg. 6), Ruffin Theatre (pg. 6), St. Matthews
Episcopal Church (pg. 6), Canaan Baptist Church (pg. 6), Hatchie River (pg. 7), Henning
(pg. 7), Lauderdale Co. Courthouse (pg. 8), Mississippi River-Lauderdale Co. (pgs. 8 & 14),
Lauderdale Co. Museum (pg. 8), First Presbyterian Church-Ripley (pg. 8), Rat’s Café (pg.
8), Moore’s Grocery (pg. 8), Charlene’s Colony of Shoppes (pg. 9), Veterans Museum (pg.
9), Murray Hudson (pg. 9), Egret (pg. 13), Randolph Bluff (pg. 13), Canoeing Forked Deer
River (pg. 14), Donner Arboretum (pg. 14), Dyersburg Boy Scouts (pg. 17), Forked Deer River
(pg. 17), Grassy Is. Auto Tour (pg. 19), Boyette’s (pg. 19), Reelfoot Lake State Park-lake
(pg. 19), Marijac Memorial River Park (pg. 21), Carl Perkins home (pg. 21), Chisholm Lake
Store (pg. 22); Photos by John Guider: Eagle (pg. 1), Alex Haley exhibit (pg. 1), Tipton Co.
Courthouse (pg. 6), Alex Haley home (pg. 7), Mississippi River sand bar (pgs. 17 & 23),
Reelfoot Lake cypress trees (pg. 18), Dixie Gun Works old car (pg. 18), Lower Hatchie NWR
(box, pg. 20), Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park (pg. 23), Shelby Forest General Store (pg.
23); Vintage photos from Tennessee State Library and Archives: Memphis-Beale St. (pg. 2),
Mud Is. (pg. 3), Yellow Fever (pg. 4), John Randolph (pg. 22), Battle of Fort Pillow (pg.
22); Photos by Thomas R. Machnitzki: Memphis Riverfront Parks (pgs. 2 & 3), Mud Is.
Flatboat Replica (pg. 3), Fire Museum of Memphis (pg. 4), Millington (pg. 5); Pg. 5: Old
Millington Winery, Old Timers Restaurant; Pg. 6: South Main Historic District-Memphis Area
Assoc. of Realtors (Weichert.com); Pg. 7: Alex Haley Museum & Interpretive Center-Askew
Nixon Ferguson Architects; Pg. 9: Just Divine Tea Room-Charlene’s Colony of Shoppes, 1912
Memphis Flood-J.C. Coovert; Photos by Jim Johnson: Pelicans (pg. 9), Egret (pg. 15), R.C.
Donaldson Nature Center-flowers (pg. 19); Pg. 10: The Arcade, Marlo’s Down Under; Pg.
11: Eagle Nest Resort; Pg. 15 (& 21): Chickasaw NWR-U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Pg. 16:
Pumpkins-Priddy Farms; Pg. 17: Dyer Co. Courthouse-Chiacomo, Dyer Co. Museum-Dyer Co.
Historical Society, Newbern Depot-tripadvisor.com; Pg. 18: Union City-Union City COC,
Obion Co. Courthouse-Bill Carey (tnhistoryforkids.org), Discovery Park of America, Obion Co.
Museum of Union City, Calhoun Boats-reelfoot.com; Pg. 19: Confederate Monument-Obion
Co. ECD, Relict darter-conservationfisheries.org; Vintage maps from Murray Hudson: “Redfoot
Lake” (pg. 19), Merriwether Bend (pg. 21), Randolph (pg. 22); Pg. 20: Great River Road
U.S. map-dngtechnology.com; Is. No. 10-Craig Swain (hmbd.org); Tiptonville mural-Marcia
Mills, ED, Reelfoot Area COC; Lake Co. Courthouse-Chiacomo; Pg. 21: Emmett Lewis MuseumMarcia Mills, ED, Reelfoot Area COC; Nightriders-tnhistoryforkids.org; Elizabeth Meriwethermemphishistory.org; Carl Perkins-Screen shot for Jamboree (1957), Warner Brothers; Pg. 22:
Champion Lakes-Randy Cook, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Pg. 23: Battle of Fort Pillow-U.S.
Naval Historical Center, Justin Timberlake-Peter Dutton.
Follow US-51/TN-104 as
it bears R and becomes
S. Main Ave. Take S. Main
to pt. 37.
Dyer Co. Courthouse
1 Veterans Sq.
Dyersburg
Go L on S. Main St.
It dead-ends at
McGaughey St. Turn R
onto McGaughey St. to
pt. 38 on L.
Dyersburg State
Community College
1209 McGaughey St. E.
Dyersburg
731-286-7829
From pt. 38, take
McGaughey St. back
through town. Turn R
onto TN-78N/Lake Rd.
Turn R onto Parkview.
Pt. 39 is located inside
Dale F. Glover Education
Center on L.
1510 Lake Rd.
Dyersburg
731-286-3200
36.Dyersburg – Unlike its railroad town
neighbors, Dyersburg predates the
Civil War, established by some of West
Tennessee’s first white settlers. Dating back
to the 1820s, this was a steamboat town
with economic growth
coming down the
North Forked Deer River
from the Mississippi
River. Today, the
town’s history is well
preserved in homes,
historic
buildings
along Troy Avenue and
commercial structures
lining the square.
Originally called Okeena, the Forked Deer River
was renamed in the 1780s
when surveyors noticed
that the branches flowing
into the Mississippi River
favored a deer’s antlers.
Sighting of a deer with deformed antlers
convinced the surveyors to keep the name.
37. Dyersburg Court Square – Stroll this town
square and admire
its well-preserved
late Victorian and
early 20th-century
buildings. Stop in
the local shops and
restaurants; admire
the historic 1911 Dyer County Courthouse.
38. Dyer County Museum – Learn about local
history through
the artifacts of
the area at this
museum, featuring an audio
history of life in
the bottomland
of the Mississippi River Delta. For a special
treat, check out the unique Timmerman
dollhouse collection.
39.Dr. Walter E. David
Wildlife Museum – A
museum focused on
the wildlife of Dyer
County, this museum
features an impressive
trophy collection of
birds — one of each
Did You
Know
?
species of duck found on the Mississippi Flyway as well as many types of wild animals.
Sand is one of the Lower
Mississippi River’s chief
commodities, and the everchanging sand flow alters the
character of the river almost
on a daily basis. During high water, the sand
bars are hidden and create constant problems for
navigators. During low water periods, the bars
are exposed and lure humans and wildlife alike.
40. Newbern Depot &
Parkview. Turn R onto
Railroad Museum
TN-78N/Lake Rd. Turn R
– This restored
onto junction I-155 &
1920s train depot
US-412E. Exit TN-77
is still a stop for
(Newbern). Turn R onto
Amtrak’s passenger
TN-77. Turn R onto
line; drop in and
TN-211S. Enter W. Main St.
to pt. 40 on L.
visit the museum housed inside.
108 Jefferson St.
Newbern
731-627-3221
Leave pt. 40, get on
TN-211N. Go N on
TN-211N for 6 miles to
Trimble. Turn R onto
TN-105E/Mitchell St.
Cross railroad tracks, turn
L onto Parks Plaza to
pt. 41 on L.
Park Plaza
Trimble
41. Emerson E. Parks
Covered Bridge –
This 1902 bridge
is one of three
remaining historic
covered bridges
in Tennessee, and
the only one in the western portion. It
was originally built to cross a drainage
ditch between two fields on a farm owned
by Emerson Parks. On display in Trimble
Park Plaza, it was moved in 1997 from its
original location on private property.
Emmett Kelly, Jr.
“The World’s Most Famous Clown”
Dyersburg is the birthplace of Emmett Kelly, Jr. often called “The
World’s Most Famous Clown.” Kelly was born in the early 1930s while
his father was in Dyersburg as part of the traveling John Robinson
Circus. Kelly, Sr. was a clown and mime and went by the name “Weary
Willie.” After a stint in the Navy, Kelly, Jr. himself picked up the
persona in 1960 at the Circus Festival in Peru, Indiana at the urging
and tutelage of his father. Photography
company Eastman Kodak reached out to
Kelly to appear as an attraction for them at
the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. After
becoming a top attraction at the fair for
his mime act, Kodak enlisted him as an
Ambassador of Goodwill, touring the country
and becoming the most photographed clown.
The “Weary Willie” likeness can be found on
figurines, sculptures, puzzles, checkbooks
and many more items of memorabilia.
17
reelfoot lake
Reelfoot Lake was formed when a series of strong earthquakes
centered in New Madrid, Missouri rocked the region along the
Great River Road between December 1811 and March 1812. One
quake registered an 8.4 on the Richter scale, one of the strongest
quakes on record in North America, with tremors felt as far away as
London. Witnesses reported a horribly loud grinding and rumbling
noise, a thick cloud of sulphur-smelling gas and falling trees. The
Mississippi River actually reversed its course, escaped its banks and
pulled back in rapidly, taking with it trees, land, boats, animals, and
anything else in its path. It sent giant waves along its shore that
overturned ships and collapsed the banks of the tributaries. The
river rushed into the forest surrounding Reelfoot River, receding
to leave Reelfoot Lake. The trees of that forest still remain — the
stumps and trees poking through the surface of the water create
an underwater forest and
natural fish hatchery that is
home to 56 different species
of fish and more than 240
species of birds. The path of
the original Reelfoot River
is still visible in the lake,
because there are no trees in
the channel.
Leave pt. 41, go R on
TN-105W. Continue
straight to US-51. Turn R
onto US-51N (Union City)
to pt. 42.
Continue on US-51N. Turn
R onto Stad Ave. to pt.
43 on L.
1410 W. Reelfoot Ave.
Union City
731-885-0700
18
42.Union City – This town dates back to 1855,
when the railroads entered West Tennessee
and created a new transportation artery
that shifted the economic dependence
from the river. As Hwy 51 became the more
active commercial
route in the
1920s, businesses
facing the tracks
repurposed their
back doors as a
second storefront
to face the highway. The town is home
to several well-preserved Art Deco-style
buildings, erected during Union City’s
heyday as a major highway junction
43. Dixie Gun Works / Old Car Museum – The
largest supplier
of black powder
shooting equipment, parts and
antique guns in
the world, this
shop displays first
production replicas of historic rifles,
pistols and cannons as well as dozens of
antique cars and mechanical devices. Don’t
miss the replica 1850s log cabin gun shop
with more than 1,000 authentic tools, and
a Calhoun Boat exhibit.
Leave pt. 43 on
Stad Ave., turn R onto
US-51N/Reelfoot Ave.
Turn L onto S. 1st St. to
pt. 44 straight ahead.
Obion Co. Courthouse
9 Bill Burnett Cir.
Union City
Did You
Know
?
Continue on S. 1st St.
to Reelfoot Ave. Turn L
onto Reelfoot Ave. Turn L
onto Edwards St. to
pt. 45 just past Oak St.
1004 Edwards St.
Union City
731-885-6774
44. Downtown Union
City – Stroll
around this revitalized downtown
and explore its
restaurants, shops
and historic landmarks, including the 1939 Obion County
Courthouse and the 1927 Capitol Theatre,
home to the Masquerade Theatre Company.
The Discovery Park of
America, a 50-acre,
$100 million education
center is set to open
near Union City. The
new landmark will
feature exhibits on
nature, science, art and history.
45.Obion County Museum – Learn more
about the history of Northwest Tennessee
at this museum, featuring exhibits for all
ages in downtown Union City. View antique
toys and tools,
a log cabin
and one-room
schoolhouse,
an extensive
collection
of
historical photographs, a wooly mammoth
skeleton and a display of Native American
artifacts and relics.
Did You
Know
?
Leave pt. 45, and go
R onto Edwards. It
dead-ends, turn L onto
Summer St. to pt. 46
on R.
Summer St. & Edwards St.
Union City
46. Confederate Cemetery & Monument – This
is the first memorial to honor unknown
Confederate soldiers in the South, erected
by local citizens just a few years after
the end of the Civil
War. These particular
soldiers were led
by General Nathan
Bedford Forrest and
were killed in a raid on
the occupying Federal
troops in Union City.
The
Confederates
attacked the town’s
railroad junction after destroying railroad
tracks in several counties, attempting to
disrupt Union supply lines.
Leave pt. 46, continue on 47. Grassy Island Auto Tour – Just a short drive
Summer St., turn L onto
from the Reelfoot Lake State Park museum
Woodlawn St. Turn R on
and welcome center, take this 3-mile trip
E. Oak, then quick L back
on Walnut Log
onto Woodlawn. Turn R
Road along the
onto Reelfoot Ave. Turn R
Upper Blue Basin
onto US-51N/Everett Blvd.
Turn L onto TN-22W/5.
of Reelfoot Lake.
Turn R onto TN-157. Turn
The tour ends
L on Walnut Log Rd. to
with a gorgeous
pt. 47.
Calhoun Boats
Stumps litter the bottom of Reelfoot Lake, left from trees that
died once the land was submerged by water. The stumps proved
difficult to navigate, until the Calhoun family developed their
“Stumpjumper” boats. Joseph Calhoun, originally a woodworker
and blacksmith, started building the cypress and oak boats with
a shallow bottom in 1910 in Hornbeak. His son Boone made boat
building a full-time job and incorporated the special hinged oars
that allowed riders to face the same direction they were rowing.
In the 1930s, the first inboard motor was put in the wooden
rowboats, originally developed from a washing machine motor. The
boats eventually found their way
to the Smithsonian and out of the
now-shuttered shop in Tiptonville.
The late Bill Calhoun, grandson of
Boone, was awarded the National
Heritage Fellowship by the National
Endowment for the Arts in 1998,
in honor of his efforts to keep a
traditional craft alive.
The New Madrid Bend is the
biggest curve on the entire
Mississippi River, measuring 13
miles around and 1 mile across.
Did You
Know
?
Leave pt. 47 on
Walnut Log Rd. Turn R
onto TN-157. Turn R
onto TN-22W to pt. 48
on L just before state
park visitor center.
Hwy 21
Tiptonville
731-253-7307
overlook of the
lake seen from an observation tower.
From Walnut Log Road, you can access a
short loop boardwalk and trail into the
surrounding alluvial bottomland forest. Two
boat ramps offer an excellent opportunity
to paddle the Bayou du Chien and Reelfoot
Lake. Don’t forget your camera for this one.
The legend of Reelfoot Lake
One version of Reelfoot Lake’s history is traced back to a
Chickasaw chief named “Kalopin” or “Reelfoot” because of his
deformed foot. Chief Reelfoot fell in love with the Choctaw chief’s
daughter, Laughing Eyes. The Choctaw chief was warned by The
Great Spirit that if his daughter married into a Chickasaw tribe,
that tribe would be swallowed up and buried underwater. Against all
warnings, Reelfoot sent his Chickasaw tribesmen to kidnap Laughing
Eyes. During the wedding ceremony in the
Chickasaw village, the earth began to creak,
rumble and sway. As The Great Spirit stomped
the earth, waters rushed into the Chickasaw
village, overcoming the tribesmen and
forming Reelfoot Lake.
The Real Story: Before maps could be
copied by machine, they were copied by
hand. Reelfoot Lake most likely got its
name when a mapmaker with poor penmanship failed to close the “d” in Redfoot.
Pt. 49 is across TN-22/21
from pt. 48.
2595 Hwy 21E
Tiptonville
731-253-8003
Eagle tours:
731-253-9652
Reservations:
731-253-9652
Visitor Center:
731-253-9652
The Bayou du Chien, visible
from the Grassy Island Auto
Tour, is the only place on earth
where a small and endangered
species of fish called the relict
darter can be found.
48.Boyette’s – This
former
grocery
store from the
1920s has served
fishermen
and
hunters for nearly
100 years. Today,
it has expanded into a full restaurant,
feeding hungry lake visitors who come
from miles around for the fish dinner.
Did You
Know
?
Pt. 50 is located at
pt. 49.
731-253-9652
49. Reelfoot Lake State Park – Reelfoot lake itself is 14 miles long
and 5 miles wide,
and is home to
almost every kind
of shore and wading bird, golden
and American bald
eagles, and abundant
wildlife. The park
offers several programs
designed to show you
its unique sites and
landscape, including
wildlife tours, eagle
tours, boat tours, and more. Stay for a day
or stick around for the night — the park
offers camping and cabins, boating, hiking
and gorgeous scenery. Don’t miss the nature
center and the chance to see bald eagles,
owls, and other majestic birds in person.
Reelfoot Lake is one of the only nesting areas
for the American bald eagle in Tennessee.
50. R.C. Donaldson Memorial Museum – This
museum and nature
center, located at
Reelfoot Lake State
Park, is a great place
to learn about the
lake. Its boardwalk is
the only shoreline trail
on the lake — a meandering walk through
the cypress grove with impressive views.
19
Did You
great river road
national scenic byway
Legendary author Mark Twain called the Mississippi River “The
Body of the Nation” and on the Great River Road National Scenic
Byway it’s easy to see why. The byway stretches across 10 states
— that’s Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana — originating in
the lake country of Minnesota and flowing through the heartland
of America to its end in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast.
That’s over 2,000 miles of sweeping views, charming drives, lush
riverbanks and well-preserved landmarks connecting America,
along with plenty of good food and pleasant people in between.
The transcontinental Great River Road was hatched in 1938
by consensus of all 10 states’ governors to showcase the beauty
of one of America’s best treasures. The road crisscrosses the river
through the states, with green byway signs that have been a
fixture of the Great River Road for years.
In Tennessee, the byway takes you
to incredible scenic areas along the Lower
Mississippi Alluvial Plain, home to an amazing
array of wildlife and a birdwatcher’s paradise.
The outstanding vistas and overlooks of the
®
Chickasaw Bluffs are prime spots for eyeing
migratory patterns along with inspiring
views of the Mississippi River. Travel to Reelfoot Lake for fishing,
canoeing and exploring just like naturalist John James Audubon
did on his way down the Mississippi River. Campsites, state parks
and marinas dot the scenic byway and the river, inviting you to
plunge in and experience America’s greatest river for yourself.
In addition to its beauty, the Great River Road has plenty of
history, including Civil War landmarks such as Fort Pillow State
Historic Park. In Memphis, stop in at the Mississippi River Museum
at Mud Island River Park or the Memphis Cotton Exchange to learn
how the river connected Southern cotton growers with Northern
textile mills.
There are few roads in America that contain the depth and
breadth of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, connecting
some of America’s most enchanting wildlife refuges and engaging
historical landmarks along one path. This is a true piece of
Americana, meant to be savored.
National Scenic Byways are designated as such based on their
archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational,
and scenic qualities. There are 150
nationally designated byway routes
in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the
District of Columbia, with five located
in Tennessee.
Know
?
Leave pt. 49, go R
onto TN-22/21. Turn R
onto TN-22W to pt. 51.
You’ll see trail marker
on L followed by larger
monument where
road splits.
Did You
Know
?
Take TN-22E back to
Tiptonville (pt. 52).
Did You
Know
?
Turn R onto TN-21W/
Church St. to pt. 53
straight ahead.
Park and walk to
visit pts. 53-55.
Lake Co. Courthouse
130 S. Court St.
Tiptonville
20
The troops defending Island No. 10 were
commanded by General Leonidas Polk (L),
second cousin of 11th
U.S. President James
K. Polk (R). Both men
have points of interest
featured on the Old
Tennessee: Settlers to
Soldiers Trail and the Nashville’s Trace:
Backstage to Backroads Trail.
51. Island No. 10 Battlefield Sites – Follow
the signs in downtown Tiptonville to find
this Civil War site, about a mile outside of
town. Island No.
10, now underwater, was once
located on the
New Madrid Bend
of the river and
provided a strong
Confederate defensive position. In 1862,
Union gunboats attacked the island and
started a weeks-long struggle, eventually
gaining access to the South. Over 6,000
Confederate prisoners were taken at
surrender, and the Union swiftly moved
south to take Fort Pillow and Memphis.
Federal troops retained control of this
valuable Southern gateway for the rest of
the war. Markers at the site tell the story
of the island and the fallen Confederate
soldiers once buried there.
In 1862, a tornado hit Island No. 10, claiming
more Confederate lives than enemy gunfire
during the battle.
52.Tiptonville
–
Tucked between
the Mississippi
River and Reelfoot
Lake, Tiptonville
is the seat of Lake
County. It’s a
community surrounded by water; because
of its elevation, it was used as a relief camp
during major floods in the 1920s and 1930s.
The town of Tiptonville sits on what is known
as the “Tiptonville Dome,”
a small lift 9 miles wide
and 7 miles long, that has
spared it from the most
devastating river floods.
53. D o w n t o w n
Tiptonville – Explore
the local shops and businesses around the
historic Lake County Courthouse.
Pts. 54 & 55 are
in city hall, inside
courthouse (pt. 53).
130 S. Court St.
Tiptonville
Tiptonville Main St.
Association:
731-253-0031
Emmett Lewis Memorial
Heritage Center & Museum:
731-253-9922
55. Emmett Lewis Memorial Heritage Center &
Museum – Learn
about the area
in this museum,
inside Tiptonville’s
city hall. Explore
Civil War history
and Reelfoot Lake’s
formation, get to know famous residents
like Carl Perkins, and more. Closed weekends.
Continue through town
on TN-21W/Church St.
Follow TN-21 until you
come to levee and
crossing. Take road over
levee to pt. 56 on L.
56. Marijac Memorial River
Park – Just outside
of Tiptonville, this
park and former Delta
Queen steamboat stop
is a great place for
a picnic. Its unique
name comes from the
land’s owners “Mary”
and “Jack”. Enjoy the
scenic overlook and quiet shade at the base
of the New Madrid Bend in the river.
Cross back over levee
and return via TN-21E.
Take TN-21E through
Tiptonville. Turn R onto
TN-78 to pt. 57 on L.
230 Carl Perkins Pkwy.
Tiptonville
731-253-8144
Merriwether Bend
54. Tiptonville Main Street Association
Though spelled differently, Merriwether Bend on the Mississippi
River (between Tiptonville and Ridgely) is probably named after the
Meriwether family who owned nearby plantations. During the Civil
War, Elizabeth Meriwether (pictured) stayed in Memphis rather than
at her family plantation because of her husband’s concerns about
safety. At the time, Union forces occupied the city and Elizabeth was
outspoken about the Union’s presence. After a few chance meetings
with General William T. Sherman, he became so frustrated with her
attitude that he banished Elizabeth from Memphis. Elizabeth was
forced to drive her own buggy out of town with only her small
children and her mule, Adrienne. In journals, Elizabeth said that
she was worried about Adrienne’s health, afraid that he mule would
become confused and unhappy. She could provide words of comfort to
her children, but not to the mule. As the war
progressed, Elizabeth eventually returned to
Memphis with Adrienne pulling the buggy
back, but Elizabeth and
presumably Adrienne never
forgave General Sherman for
the banishment. See historical
marker at Confederate Park in
Memphis (point 2).
57. Carl Perkins Visitor Center – Visit the little
house where rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins
once lived, just outside of Tiptonville. It
was in these cotton fields that he learned
to play a second-hand guitar, blending
the rhythm-and-blues sound with the
hillbilly twang he
loved. Stop in for
information about
the
Tiptonville
area, and play a
few Perkins tunes
on the jukebox —
some you’re sure to recognize, like “Blue
Suede Shoes.”
The Nightriders of Lake County
Before Reelfoot Lake was made a lake by the New Madrid
earthquake, multiple owners held rights to the land. In 1907, the
West Tennessee Land Company gathered these claims to try and take
back the lake for cotton production.
Local residents formed their own vigilante group and started
night raids against Land Company supporters. These “Nightriders”
of masked and armed men committed over 100 crimes.
One of the most violent occurred on October 19, 1908. Land
Company executives Colonel R.Z. Taylor and Quinton Rankin were kidnapped from a local hotel. Rankin was shot and hanged, but Taylor
escaped into the surrounding swamp. The Nightriders fired over 30
shots in his direction and Taylor was thought to be dead. However,
Taylor emerged 24 hours later, confused and
tattered. Tennessee Governor Malcolm Patterson
offered a $10,000 reward for the responsible
Nightriders and over 100 suspects were
detained. 300 people were associated with
Nightriders crime and six convicted of murder,
though they were later overturned. The
company did not receive the rights to the
lake and in 1914, the state acquired the title
to the lake and has preserved it ever since.
Did You
Know
?
Take the Walking Tall Trail:
Rockabilly, Rails & Legendary
Tales to learn more about
Carl Perkins and the birth of
rockabilly music.
You’ll soon be driving beautiful stretches
of the Great River Road National Scenic
Byway. See the box on page 20 to
appreciate its history and significance.
Leave pt. 57, go L on
TN-78S. Go approx. 18
miles, turn R onto
58.Ed Jones Boat
TN-79W (S of Ridgely).
Ramp – Enjoy
TN-79 swings S and
beautiful views
merges with TN-181S. Go
of the Mississippi
approx. 24 miles, TN-181
crosses Obion River
just north of the
and swings to L where it
Chickasaw National
merges into TN-88. Turn
Wildlife Refuge.
L onto TN-88W. Turn L onto
Hales Point Barr Rd. to
pt. 58 on R.
21
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We came up from Union City about 3 weeks ago to eat
crab legs and steak (at Chisholms)... If I ever have to
request a last meal for any reason, this could be it...
Leave pt. 58, turn L onto
Hales Point Barr Rd. Take
1st R onto Dee Webb Rd.
Turn R onto Chisholm
Lake Rd. At Chisholm
Lake, there is a T-section.
Go R onto Chisholm Lake
Spur Rd. to pt. 59 on L.
23 Chisholm Lake Camp Rd.
Ripley, 731-221-5999
Leave pt. 59, retracing
route. Stay straight onto
Chisholm Lake Rd. Turn R
onto Craig School Rd; it
becomes Turkey Hill Rd.
Turn R onto Arp Central
Rd. Turn slight L onto
Turkey Hill Rd. Turn L
onto TN-19. Turn R onto
US-51S. Turn R onto
TN-87 at Henning. Go
approx. 16 miles, turn R
onto TN-207/Old Fulton
Rd. Turn R onto Park Rd.
to pt. 60.
3122 Park Rd.
Henning
731-738-5581
59. Chisholm Lake Store & Restaurant – Stop
by this local favorite on the banks of Chisholm
Lake Friday and
Saturday nights for
steak or crablegs.
The first Thursday
of every month
is a special treat,
when the owners
serve fried fish. Lake access is reserved
for members, but restaurant patrons are
welcome Thursday through Sunday evenings.
60. Fort Pillow State
Historic Park –
This 1,600-acre
state park is
situated on the
first Chickasaw
Bluff overlooking
the mighty Mississippi. This was a strategic
spot for the Confederate Army during
the Civil War; they hastily built earthen
fortifications here, which are well preserved
today. Learn more about the historical and
The Lost City of Randolph
Originally named for John Randolph (pictured), a Congressman
from Virginia, Randolph was founded in 1823 in Tipton County
and its development was backed by David Crockett. The town’s
excellent location near a bend in the river provided opportunities
for shipping and exporting goods on steamboats, and the town
outpaced Memphis for cotton exports until 1840. But Randolph
was soon beset by legal troubles. A woman from New York named
Ann Grambelling claimed she owned the area of Randolph, just five
years after the town was founded. She presented a military land
grant that was originally from an African-American Revolutionary
War soldier. The residents of Randolph raised $8,000 and purchased
the town from Grambelling. The river that brought commerce
to this thriving town also took it away; as the river’s channel
naturally moved from its east to west side, Randolph became much
harder for steamboats to access — in low water the boats couldn’t
even get close to the town. Adding a layer of complication was the
shift from steamboat to rail shipping,
as the railroad bypassed Randolph
and left it with limited
economic opportunity. The
town finally collapsed after
Union soldiers burned it
down twice — once in 1862
and in 1865.
Battle OF Fort Pillow
With dwindling supplies, the Confederate Army left Fort Pillow
in June 1862. This departure left Memphis open and the Union Navy
pounced. The city fell a few days later, as a fleet of 24 Union gunboats
leveled the Confederate Navy. 10,000 spectators watched the event
from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. On April 12, 1864,
Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest began an attack
to reclaim Fort Pillow, much to the surprise of the undermanned
Union forces. Forrest brought approximately 2,500 troops against
fewer than 600 Union soldiers, 295 white and 262 African-American.
The Union tried to fire at the Confederates from their gunboats, but
barely made a dent on the oncoming Confederates. Forrest asked
the Union to surrender. Major William Bradford wanted an hour to
decide, hoping reinforcements would arrive from down the river.
Aware of the tactic, Bedford gave them less time and the Confederate
side charged the fort, where witnesses say the Confederate soldiers
targeted, pursued and killed African-American soldiers unfairly. It
became known as the “Fort Pillow
Massacre” and controversy over
Forrest’s intentions still remains.
Ironically, Confederate forces
gained little ground and only
disrupted some Union operations
before abandoning the fort a short
time later.
22
Did You
Know
?
archaeological significance of this park at its
museum and interpretive center, where you
can view Civil War artifacts and a film about
the 1864 battle. The park also offers boat
access, camping, fishing and picnic facilities.
Fort Pillow is named for
Confederate General Gideon J.
Pillow of Mount Pleasant, whose
Antebellum home is a point of
interest on the Old Tennessee:
Settlers to Soldiers Trail.
Leave pt. 60, retrace route 61. Champion Lakes – Champion Lake and Little
back to TN-59. Turn L
Champion Lake are ringed with beautiful
onto TN-87. Go 1 mile to
and ancient cypress and tupelo trees. It is
Champion Lake Rd. to
a paddler’s dream,
pt. 61 on R.
Sunk Lake Rd. at Hwy 87
Henning
as the lakes are
rarely
crowded
and the quiet and
serenity are hard
to match. There
is a small pier
available for birdwatching and fishing.
TN-87. Go 17 miles, turn R
onto US-51S. Turn R onto
TN-59/W. Liberty Ave. at
Covington. Go approx. 14.5
62.Randolph Bluff Historic Site – Just
miles, turn R onto
past the Randolph United Methodist
Randolph Rd. Take
slight L onto
Church, you’ll find one of the best views
Ballard Slough Rd.
of the Mississippi River, high above the
Pt. 62 is ahead on L.
Did You
Know
floodplain on the second Chickasaw Bluff.
A Civil War historical marker describes the
area’s significance including Fort Wright
(now private property) near this spot.
The 1861 fort
served not only
as a defensive
position for the
Confederates on
the Mississippi,
it was one of the
state’s first military training camps, where
recruits (including future Confederate
General Nathan Bedford Forrest) learned
how to defend and fight for the Confederacy.
?
In the 1800s, soldiers could monitor miles
of the Mississippi
River thanks to Fort
Pillow’s excellent
views. Because of
the river’s changing course, the fort
now sits about a mile from the river.
Leave pt. 62, return to
TN-59. Turn R onto
TN-59/Richardson
Landing Rd. Turn R onto
Pryor Rd. Pryor crosses
Coon Valley Rd. and
becomes Herring Hill Rd.
Turn R onto Bluff Rd.
at 3-way stop. Stay
on Bluff Rd. to pt. 63
entrance on R. (marked
visitor center).
63. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park – Over
13,000 acres atop the third Chickasaw
Bluff are yours to explore in this scenic
state park in the bottomland hardwood
forest. Take a break among the oak, cypress,
and tupelo trees to fish, hike, picnic, or
enjoy the wildlife for a day or overnight
— camping and
vacation cabins
are available. Don’t
miss the nature
center on Piersol
Lake, the oldest
man-made lake in
the state — you’ll find hands-on exhibits
and come face to face with some of the
park’s wildlife.
910 Riddick Rd.
Millington
901-876-5215
800-471-5293
Did You
Know
?
Leave pt. 63, return to
Bluff Rd. Turn R onto
Bluff Rd. At stop sign,
pt. 64 will be on nearright corner.
7729 Benjestown Rd.
Millington
901-876-5770
Shelby Forest General Store was
thrust into the national spotlight
following the 2009 Grammy
Awards, when Justin Timberlake
mentioned it during the
ceremony. He has also discussed
it on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and
filmed specials and interviews here — it’s
truly a place close to the megastar’s heart.
chickasaw bluffs
Named for the Native American tribe that once inhabited the
area, the Chickasaw Bluffs overlook the Mississippi River and were
especially coveted vantage points during the Civil War.
Fort Pillow, located on the first bluff, was the site of one of
the war’s most controversial events, the “Fort Pillow Massacre”
(read more in the Battle of Fort Pillow box on page 22). The bluff,
now located in Fort Pillow State Historic Park (point 60), once sat
over the river, but is now approximately one mile away due to
natural changes in the water’s course.
The second bluff, in Randolph (point 62), was home to the
Confederate’s Fort Wright and served as a training area for troops.
Generals such as Nathan Bedford Forrest, Patrick Cleburne and
Alexander P. Stewart got their start here. The bluff is currently
owned by a conservation foundation with plans to establish a
park and overlook access.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park (point 63) straddles the line
of Tipton and Shelby Counties and is the site of the third bluff.
The park is one of the largest tracts of bottomland hardwood
forests left in Tennessee and remains an untouched natural area
for rare plants.
The last bluff, in downtown Memphis, was originally Chief
Chisca’s Chickasaw fortress. It became French Fort Assumption in
1739 and Spanish Fort San Fernando in 1795. Americans ran Fort
Pickering here first as a trading
post until 1814 and then hollowed
out Chisca’s mounds and mounted
artillery on top of them during
the Civil War. Today, Chickasaw
Heritage Park (point 2) preserves
what remains of this Native
American and military history.
the front porch,
and it’s also a
favorite hangout
of
Millington’s
famous
son,
musician/ac tor
Justin Timberlake.
Leave pt. 64, go L onto
Cuba Locke Rd. Turn R onto
Watkins Rd. Turn R onto
US-51S. It becomes
Thomas St. and returns you
to downtown Memphis.
Visiting our region helps us preserve and
tell our stories — thanks for visiting and
no matter where your travels take you
next, you’re always welcome on the Great
River Road.
64.Shelby Forest General Store – Stop by
this charming market for fresh-made
biscuits and world-famous cheeseburgers,
live music on weekends and an authentic
general store experience. This is the kind
of place where locals gather for coffee on
23

Great River Road Trail - Mississippi River Corridor

Transcription

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