Historic Sites & Antique Shopping
Historic sites and attractions can be found all throughout the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley area.
Civil War
If you love Civil War history, put the Kentucky Lake area near the top of your list for places to see. There are several historic battle sites near (and under!) Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
Most notable would be Fort Donelson, located on Lake Barkley (or the Cumberland River) in Dover, Tenn. Several earthworks, period cannons, buildings and interpretive areas are there for you to experience.
The fort offers a beautiful view of the river. Standing there will clearly demonstrate why that spot was so strategic for the Confederate forces to dig in. Learn more about Fort Donelson.
Other sites include Fort Henry (which is now mostly under Kentucky Lake) and Fort Heiman.
Iron Ore Industry
There are two remains of iron furnaces in Land Between The Lakes. The Great Western Iron Furnace is the best preserved and is located on the Trace in LBL. The Center Furnace is in ruins, but still visible in LBL and features a well-maintained interpretive hike with educational displays.
The Homeplace 1850s
Land Between The Lakes features a living history farm called "The Homeplace 1850s". Here you can interact with interpreters dressed in period clothing and doing real chores and activities that were common in the 1850s. No electricity, no running water and depending on the land - that was life in the 1850s. This place is great for families and older adults alike.
Antique Shopping
While there are dozens of antique stores scattered throughout the Kentucky Lake Area, two concentrated areas must be seen for those who love antiques.
Hazel, Ky., located on US 641 between Murray, Ky. and Paris, Tenn., about 25 minutes from Kentucky Lake, features over a dozen antique shops and malls. One could literally spend an entire day there, considering there are tens of thousands of items to browse.
Downtown Cadiz, Ky., just 10 minutes from Lake Barkley, features several antique stores. The downtown area is a beautiful site in itself. To find our more, visit GoCadiz.com.
