www.CumberlandGap.net

Welcome to

The Cumberland Gap is a natural passage through the Cumberland Mountains near the point where Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee meet. It was explored and named by Dr. Thomas Walker and Daniel Boone blazed the Wilderness Road through the Gap into Kentucky. During the Civil War it was considered a strategic location held, at times, by both Confederate and Union forces. Although, there were many skirmishes and the Gap changed hands four times during the war, no major battles actually took place here.
Today, the village of Cumberland Gap is a quaint little town of less than 300 residents. It has become noted as a tourist stop full of picturesque craft shops, restaurants, historic sights and natural beauty. A historic iron furnace from the 1800's is located near the town park and the old railroad tunnel is just a short walk away.

Attractions

Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum -- Located on the beautiful campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum houses one of the most diverse Lincoln and Civil War collections in the country.

Cudjo Caverns -- About 1934 a tunnel was dug to connect Soldiers Cave with King Solomon's Cave and the combined caves were subsequently renamed Cudjo Cavern after the main character in an 1893 novel whose setting was in a fictional "Cumberland Grotto."

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park -- The story of the first doorway to the west is commemorated at the national park, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet.

Cumberland Gap Tunnel -- The Cumberland Gap Tunnel is a 4-lane twin-bore mountain tunnel that is 4,600 feet long. It carries US-25E under Cumberland Gap between Tennessee and Kentucky and was completed in October 1996 at a cost of $280 million.

Cumberland Trail -- Experience Tennessee hiking and backpacking at its best! The Cumberland Trail, a Tennessee State Scenic Hiking Trail, became Tennessee's 53rd state park in 1998.

Daniel Boone Trail Association -- Mission: To identify, preserve and promote historically significant sites along the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail corridor from Long Island of the Holston to Cumberland Gap by creating historically accurate interpretative, educational and recreational opportunities which will foster regional tourism and economic development.

Hensley's Settlement -- The preserved settlement is located atop Brush Mountain where the Hensley's first settled in 1903, forsaking settled areas for an entirely self-sufficient way of life.

Lincoln Memorial University -- A private liberal arts university, LMU offers a relevant curriculum for the 21st century. The quality liberal arts program focuses on academic skills and intellectual foundations, offering students a broad preparation for selected majors and programs of professional study.

Middlesboro Country Club -- The Middlesboro Country Club was established in 1889 by English settlers in the Yellow Creek Valley and is now known as the oldest continuously played golf course in the United States.

Museum of Appalachia -- The Museum is open daily from 8:00am -5:00pm except Christmas Day. It is located 16 miles north of Knoxville just one mile off of Interstate 75 at Norris Exit.

Pine Mountain State Park -- This resort became Kentucky’s first state park in 1924. It is also home to the championship 18-hole golf course Wasioto Winds, recently ranked by "Golf Digest" as the fourth best new public course in the nation.

Pinnacle Overlook -- At an elevation of 2,440 feet, the Pinnacle Overlook offers a gorgeous view into three states – Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. A winding, four-mile road leads from the park visitor center to the viewing platform.

Wilderness Road State Park -- The Wilderness Road was carved by Daniel Boone in 1775 to open America’s first western frontier. The Park was purchased in 1993 and is approximately 200 acres that includes the "Wilderness Road."

Dining

Hardee's: 6680 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate -- "Star Hardee's" restaurants marks a return to Hardee's heritage of charbroiled burgers. Hardee's also offers breakfast favorites such as Made From Scratch™ Biscuits.

Shoney's Restaurant: 6715 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate -- You'll always get generous helpings of Southern hospitality and your favorite, freshly prepared, homestyle foods at Shoney's.

Subway: 364 Catalpa Avenue, Harrogate -- Subway Restaurant's 7 sandwiches with 6 grams of fat or less have a calorie range of 230-370 and have as little as 3 grams of fat. Choosing one of these subs can save hundreds of calories and at least 21 grams of fat in just one meal.

Webb's Country Kitchen: 602 Colwyn Avenue, Cumberland Gap -- In addition to great home cooking, Webb's has open mic every Friday night and Bluegrass music every Saturday night. Phone: (423) 869-5877

Entertainment

Lincoln Memorial University Concerts -- The Tex Turner Arena upcoming events and tickets website. Box Office Hours: M-F 12pm-5pm EST

Webb's Country Kitchen: 602 Colwyn Avenue, Cumberland Gap -- In addition to great home cooking, Webb's has open mic every Friday night and Bluegrass music every Saturday night. Phone: (423) 869-5877

Government

Claiborne County -- Claiborne County was founded in 1801, thirty-two years after Daniel Boone first traversed the historic Cumberland Gap passage, where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia converge. This is the official website of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce.

Harrogate, Tennessee -- Welcome to Harrogate, Tennessee! Located on the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia, it's a great place to visit, you may want to stay! This is the official website of the city of Harrogate, Tennessee.

Town of Cumberland Gap, TN -- The Historic Town of Cumberland Gap is nestled at the foot of Cumberland Mountains inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Breathtaking beauty and charming "Mayberry" atmosphere will greet you as you come into town.

Organizations

Middlesboro Elks Lodge 119 -- Our lodge meets on the first and third Thursday of each month except July and August then on the third Thursday. The Lodge is located on the corner of 19th Street Extension and Highway 441.

Shopping

Middlesboro Mall: located on Highway - 25E in Middlesboro, KY -- There are over forty-five stores in the Mall as well as many other shopping opportunities in the city of Middlesboro which is only a short drive through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.