Historical Sites on Lake Barkley

barkleydam BARKLEY DAM
Completed in 1966 by the Army Corps of Engineers, Barkley Dam is 157 feet high and 10,180 feet wide. Commercial barges can be seen entering and departing Lake Barkley through the huge 1,200 foot locks. U.S. 62/641, Grand Rivers, KY 42045 / 270.362.4236

EDDYVILLEPENN KENTUCKY STATE PENITENTIARY
The Kentucky State Penitentiary is located on KY 730 in what is known as Old Eddyville. Built over 100 years ago, this mammoth stone structure towers majestically over Lake Barkley. Affectionately referred to by natives as "The Castle On The Cumberland" it is a favorite among photographers and visitors to Old Eddyville.

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES
LBL Civil War Sites
Remnants of the past can be seen throughout LBL. You can study the ruins of two iron furnaces at LBL: Center Furnace, located near the Nature Station, and the Great Western Furnace, near The Homeplace. Civil War Forts: In 1861, Governor Harris of Tennessee authorized construction of two forts to protect the rivers: Fort Henry, on the east bank of the Tennessee River, and Fort Donelson, on the west bank of Cumberland, both near the south end of LBL.

rosehill LYON COUNTY MUSEUM
WEBSITE
Located on KY 730 in what is known as Old Eddyville the Cobb House is a two story Federal Brick Mansion built in 1832 by the grandfather of humorist Irvin S. Cobb. Listed on the National Register, this mansion was restored by the Lyon County Historical Society and is home to the Lyon County Museum. The museum showcases a working model of an iron furnace, the Wm. Kelly steel story, and a pictorial of the Kentucky State Penitentiary. The museum also features exhibits on local and regional history. Open May 15 - October 15, Wed. through Sun., 1 - 4 p.m. and by appointment. P.O. Box 811, Eddyville, KY 42038 / 270.388.9986

mineralmound MINERAL MOUND STATE PARK
WEBSITE
Located off KY 93 South near Eddyville, this 541 acre state park features a boat ramp, picnic area, and hiking trails. The property known as Mineral Mounds was originally developed by Willis Machren, grandfather of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, author F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife.

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IRON INDUSTRY IN
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES

Iron production stalled during the Civil War. The iron factories sat squarely in the path of Northern armies and were a logical target for destruction. Although production resumed after the war, it never returned to its former prominence. By the 1880s, the area's natural resources had been depleted and new production methods moved the industry elsewhere. The area's last furnace ceased production in 1927.

Remnants of this past can be seen throughout LBL. You can study the ruins of two iron furnaces at LBL: Center Furnace, located near the Nature Station, and the Great Western Furnace, near The Homeplace.
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