Have you ever heard of the "the town that wouldn't drown"? It sounds a bit strange and a whole lot of morbid, but there's actually a town in Tennessee that was lost to the wash of the water out on the eastern side of the state. It's a weird story, one that we'd recommend you research to the hilt, because what a weird thing to put a town on the bottom of the lake. If you've ever made your way out to Watauga Lake in Tennessee, well - we have a surprise for you.
The town of Butler, Tennessee is wryly referred to as, "The Town That Wouldn't Drown". Located on the eastern state, the town was founded in the 1760's, and buried under a deluge of water 1948. Wait, what?!
Opposed to popular belief, it was actually flooded long before the town's final act. You see, old Butler was right on the Watauga River. During the rainy season, the swell of the waterway would flood not only the one tiny town, but also nearby Elizabethton.
Here you can see a shot of the old Main Street in Butler, a road that's now buried under the watery weight of the highly popular Watauga Lake. It was after a flood in the early 1940's washed out a large portion of the Elizabethton-to-Mountain City railroad and resulted in the death of six locals that the TVA decided to make a move towards fixing the natural devastation of the area.
The Watauga Dam was planned by TVA Engineers, and the resulting flood of nearby areas marks the only instance that a TVA project has engulfed the entirety of a town.
This here should give you an idea of the height of the dam, which would drench the valley behind it. Construction began in 1942, and after a series of setbacks, including the purchase of all Butler town real estate, the plan moved forward towards completion. If you're curious how much the entirety of the town cost, including everything from schools to gas stations to restaurants, it was a measly $35,000. Can you imagine?! Of course, this isn't adjusted for inflation, but provides a thoughtful look at the monetary value of the area over half a century ago.
Butler was home to 650 families and many took part in the relocation of the town to higher ground. Some homes were even moved from the old location to the new!
If you're interested in an even deeper dive into local history, you can visit the Butler Museum. It provides an intimate peek at what happened to that town so many years ago.
It's a fascinating story, don't you think? Butler is now a small but very tight-knit community right outside of Watauga Lake. It's fascinating to look at the water, especially once you realize what's beneath the surface. We'll see you at the lake friends - and perhaps in Butler, too. New Butler, of course. There are less ghosts there...
Tennessee sure is quirky, ain't it?
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