Middlesboro
\Pop. 10,344. Bell County, est. 1889. US 25E, near Cumberland Gap Natl. Historic Park. An industrial city built by a group of Englishmen. Only city in U.S. known to be built within a meteor crater. Dry. Eastern Time.
\Information
\Bell County Tourism Commission
Cumberland Gap Area - Home of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park &, Pine Mountain State Resort Park. 2215 Cumberland Ave., Middlesboro, KY 40965. www.mountaingateway.com tourism@mountaingateway.com 606.248.2482, 800.988.1075.
\Airport
\Middlesboro Airport, 1420 Dorchester Ave. General aviation. 3,650 ft. runway.
\National Park
\Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
\US 25E (Cumberland Gap Pkwy.), S. of Middlesboro. 24,000 acres shared by Ky., Va. & Tenn. Est. 1955. The Gap is an 800 ft. deep natural break in the Cumberland Mountains. Indians passed through the Gap on a trail called Warriors Path; later pioneers called it the Wilderness Road. Over 200,000 pioneers used the road between 1775 & 1810.
\Park Features: Visitor Center with museum & orientation films. Open daily 8-5, closed Christmas. Pinnacle Overlook, 2,440 ft., overlooks 3 states, hndcp. acc. (no trailers or vehicles over 20 ft.). Iron furnace, sand cave. Hensley Settlement Tours, atop Brush Mtn., restored 1904 mountain farmstead community. Picnicking, ranger guided activities year-round. 70 mi. of hiking trails. Cumberland Gap Tunnel, US 25E, 4,600 ft. long through Cumberland Mountain. Gap Cave tours.
\Camping: Wilderness Rd. Campground (Natl. Park Serv.) E. on US 58 off US 25E. 160 sites, 41 with hookups.
\Points of Interest
\Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum
\6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy., Harrogate, TN 37752, on the Lincoln Memorial University Campus. One of the most diverse Lincoln & Civil War collections in the country with over 30,000 books, manuscripts, photographs, paintings & sculptures. Mon.-Fri. 9-4, Sat. 11-4, Sun. 1-4. Adm. $5, seniors $3.50, 6-12 $3, under 6 free. www.lmunet.edu/museum 423.869.6235.
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\Arthur Museum, 2215 Cumberland Ave. Built in 1890 to house the American Association. Now houses Bell County Tourism Commission & showcases memorabilia of city founder Alexander A. Arthur.
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\Bell County Historical Museum, 215 N. 20th St. Carnegie Library building. Bell Co. photographs & artifacts. Mon., Wed., Fri. & Sat. 10-4. Free.
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\Coal House, N. 20th St. Built 1926 of 40 tons of bituminous coal. Houses the Bell Co. Chamber of Commerce. Mon.-Fri. 8-4.
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\Southeast Kentucky Community & Technology College, 1300 Chichester Ave. Est. 1995. KCTCS system. Bell Co. Campus. Enrolls 1,200.
\Special Events
\Cruisin\' the Crater, Middlesboro Mall, 3rd Sat. May-Sept.
\4th of July Celebration, July 4.
\Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival, 1st wknd. Oct.
\Christmas Parade, downtown, Dec.
\Lodging
\Boone Trail Inn, US 25E, 24 units.
\Cumberland Manor Bed & Breakfast, 208 Arthur Heights, 5 units.
\Downtown Inn & Suites, 1623 E. Cumberland Ave., 100 units, rest.
\Holiday Inn Express, 1252 N. 12th St., 60 units.
\Parkview Motel, 202 1/2 N. 12th St., 20 units.
\Restaurants
\Avenue Cafe, 1915 Cumberland Ave.
\Chinatown Cafe, Middlesboro Mall.
\J Milton\'s Steak & Buffet, US 25E.
\La Esperanza, 471 N. 12th St.
\Libby\'s Deli, 129 Lothbury Ave.
\New China Express, 1801 Cumberland Ave.
\Pelancho\'s Mexican Grill, 605 N. 12th St.
\Familiar Food: Arby\'s, Burger King, Captain D\'s, Dairy Queen, Hardee\'s, KFC, Krystal, Lee\'s Famous Recipe, Long John Silver\'s, McDonald\'s, Papa John\'s, Pizza Hut, Quizno\'s, Ryan\'s, Sonic, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy\'s.
\Shopping & Entertainment
\Cinema 4, Middlesboro Mall.
\Cumberland Crafts, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, US 25E.
\Middlesboro Crossing, US 25E.
\Middlesboro Mall, 905 N. 12th St.
\Village Square Shopping Center, US 25E.
\Golf
\Middlesboro Country Club, Heywood Rd., 9 holes.
\Pineville
\Pop. 2,093. Bell County seat. US 25E, US 119, on the Cumberland River. Moist (Bell Co. Dry). Eastern Time.
\Information
\Bell County Tourism Commission, 2215 Cumberland Ave., Middlesboro, KY 40965. 606.248.2482, 800.988.1075.
\State Park
\PINE MOUNTAIN STATE RESORT Park
\US 25E, 1 mi. S. Pineville. 1,519 acres. Ky.\'s 1st state park, est. 1926. Pine Mountain range is a western section of the giant Appalachian Mountain system. Rewarding area for those interested in natural & cultural history. Open year-round. www.parks.ky.gov 606.337.3066, 800.325.1712.
\Park Features: Pool, planned recreation, handicapped facilities, naturalist programs, picnic shelters, hiking, mini-golf, playgrounds, Laurel Cove Amphitheatre, Chained Rock, interpretive center.
\Pine Mountain State Park Nature Preserve, in Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Protected acreage includes Hemlock Gardens, a beautiful old-growth forest with trees over 300 years old. Many species of wildflowers can be found among the ferns & mountain laurel. Open to the public for hiking, birding & nature study.
\Lodging: Lodge & cottages open year-round. Lodge, 30 rooms, restaurant, meeting rooms, gift shop. Cottages, 9 one-bedroom log cabins, 11 two-bedroom cottages.
\Golf: 18 holes, pro shop, rental clubs & carts.
\Special Park Events:
\Elk Viewing Tours, Jan. 10, 17, 24.
\Beginner\'s Digital Photography Workshop, Jan. 30-31.
\Kentucky Writer\'s Workshop, Mar. 27-28.
\Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, May 21-24.
\Great American Dulcimer Convention, Sept. 25-26.
\Pine Mountain Trail State Park
\The Little Shepherd Trail Section of the Pine Mountain Trail is a 38 mi. trail from US 119 to US 421, part of a 120 linear park under development from Breaks Interstate Park to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
\Lakes
\Cannon Creek Lake, W. of US 25E, 6 mi. S. of Pineville. 243 acres. Completed in 1972. Fishing (rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, warmouth, channel catfish), ramp.
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\Chenoa Lake, KY 190, 15 mi. W. of Pineville in Ky. Ridge State Forest. 37 acres. Built in 1953. Fishing (largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, green sunfish, redear sunfish, channel catfish, brown bullhead), picnicking. Off-road vehicles prohibited. Electric motors only. Ky. Division of Forestry.
\Points of Interest
\Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, 300 Clear Creek Rd. Est. 1926. Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program. Scale model of Jerusalem in days of Christ, Mon.-Fri. 9-4.
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\Henderson Settlement & Log House Craft Shop, KY 190, Frakes,18 mi. SW. of Pineville. Handcrafts co-op, free tours of working mission, Mon.-Fri. 8-4:30.
\Special Events
\State Park Events, Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
\Mountain Laurel Festival, May 21-24.
\Pumpkin Patch Festival, last wknd. Sept.
\Lodging
\PINE MOUNTAIN STATE RESORT Park
\US 25E in Kentucky Ridge State Forest. 30 room Herndon J. Evans Lodge, conference center for 300, restaurant, pool, 20 cottages. Chained rock, Laurel Cove Amphitheatre, 18 hole golf course. www.parks.ky.gov 606.337.3066, 800.325.1712.
\Restaurants
\The Flocoe, 122 W. Kentucky Ave.
\La Esperanza, 122 W. Kentucky Ave.
\Mountain View Restaurant, Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
\Familiar Food: US 25E, Arby\'s, Dairy Queen, KFC, Little Caesar\'s, McDonald\'s, Pizza Hut, Subway.
\Shopping & Entertainment
\Angie\'s Florist, 115 S. Pine St.
\Kentucky Off-Track Betting, US 25E.
\Long\'s One & Up, 120 N. Walnut St.
\Golf
\Wasioto Winds Golf Course
\Pine Mountain State Resort Park, 1050 State Park Rd. 18 hole par 72 regulation course. Links-type course in a valley criss-crossed by a stream & surrounded by majestic mountains. Golf pro shop, rental clubs, pull & riding carts. Lodging available. www.parks.ky.gov 606.337.1066, 800.814.8002.
\Outdoor Adventure
\Kentucky Ridge State Forest, KY 190, off US 25, SW. of Pineville. Kentucky\'s largest state forest. 15,251 acres in Bell County. Hiking, picnicking & hunting in season. Adjacent to Pine Mountain State Park. Off-road vehicles prohibited. Ky. Division of Forestry.Shillalah Creek Wildlife Management Area, SE. of Pineville, US 119N 10 mi., S. on KY 987 to Mill Branch-Hensley Flats Rd. 2,575 acres. Old growth forest, extremely rugged steep terrain, high cliffs. Turkey, elk, deer, raccoon, squirrel, grouse. Brook trout fishing. Dept. Fish & Wildlife Resources.
\Cumberland/Benham/Lynch
\Information
\Cumberland Tourist & convention Commission
Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Tri-Cities. 506 W. Main St., Cumberland, KY 40823. www.kingdomcome.org ctourism@windstream.net 606.589.5812.
\State Parks
\Kingdom Come State Park
\Off US 119, N. of Cumberland, NE. of Harlan. Open year-round. Nearly 1,700 beautiful mountain acres, named for John Fox, Jr.\'s "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come," 1st U.S. novel to sell 1 million copies (1903). The three largest black bears ever recorded in Ky. were found here.
\Park Features: Visitors center with gift shop, pedal boats, mini-golf. Apr.-Oct. 3 acre lake, fishing, hiking, picnic shelters, playground, limited prim. camping.
\Kingdom Come State Park Nature Preserve, on the N. face of Pine Mountain in Kingdom Come State Park. Protects Kentucky\'s 3rd largest colony of the federally endangered Indiana bat. Cave visits may be arranged through the park office Memorial Day-Labor Day.
\Log Rock, long, narrow natural sandstone arch resembling a log. Raven Rock, dramatic stone formation with large sand cave formation at its base. Cave is natural stage for park-sponsored performances.
\Pine Mountain Trail State Park
\The Little Shepherd Trail Section of the Pine Mountain Trail is a 38 mi. trail from US 119 to US 421, part of a 120 linear park under development from Breaks Interstate Park to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
\Points of Interest
\Black Mountain, KY 160, S. off KY 38. Kentucky\'s highest point is atop Black Mountain, 4,145 ft.
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\Coal Miner\'s Park, KY 160, Benham. 1949 caboose, fish pond, picnicking, coal miners wall, walking path.
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\Godbey appalachian center
\700 College Rd., Cumberland. Extensive collection of Appalachian artifacts including thousands of oral histories, photographs, art & music. Art gallery, arts & crafts studio, woodworking shop, Theatre & Harlan Performing Arts Series. Home of Kingdom Come Swappin\' Meetin\'. www.kingdomcome.org 606.589.2145, ext. 3137.
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\Kentucky Coal Mining Museum
\KY 160, Benham. An original coal company commissary, now a museum with displays from early coal mining communities. Loretta Lynn exhibit, mock mine & many interactive displays. Groups welcome. www.kingdomcome.org 606.848.1530.
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\Portal 31 Mine Tour
\KY 160, Lynch. A real 1920s coal mine. See the equipment used & learn how the mine was operated. An underground tour of this mine will open soon. www.kingdomcome.org 606.848.1530.
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\Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, 700 College Rd., Cumberland. Est. 1961. KCTCS system. Enrolls 3,800. 2 yr. & transfer programs.
\Special Events
\Kentucky Black Bear Festival, Cumberland, 2nd wknd. May.
\Tri-City Grand Reunion, Cumberland, Benham & Lynch, 2nd wknd. June.
\Fireworks Celebration, Cumberland, July 4.
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\Kingdom Come Swappin\' Meetin\'
\The 44th annual Swappin\' Meetin\' is held on the Southeast Community & Technical College Campus Oct. 2-3. The festival features handcrafted items with 25 demonstrations including sorghum molasses, lye soap, apple cider, chair & basket making. KFEA member. www.secc.kctcs.net 606.589.3137.
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\Coal Miner\'s Day, Cumberland & Lynch, Oct.
\Lodging
\Benham Schoolhouse Inn, 100 Central Ave., Benham, 30 units, rest.
\Plaza Motel, US 119N, Cumberland, 70 units. 606.589.4911.
\Restaurants
\El Charrito, 35 Black Bear Ave., Cumberland.
\Regina\'s Tastee Cream, 1204 E. Main St., Cumberland.
\Roger\'s Market & Deli, 18815 US 119N, Cumberland.
\Touch of Country, 310 Kingdom Come Dr., Cumberland.
\Familiar Food: Main St., Cumberland, Hardee\'s, Pizza Hut, Subway.
\Shopping & Entertainment
\Apple Tree, 21991 US 119N, Cumberland.
\Poor Fork Arts & Crafts, 218 W. Main St., Cumberland.
\Boating & Camping
\Portal 31 RV Park, KY 160, Lynch, 12 sites.
\Golf
\Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, 330 Golf Course Rd., Cumberland, 9 holes.
\Harlan
\Pop. 2,081. Harlan County seat, est. 1819. US 421 & US 119, NE. of Middlesboro. In the rugged region of Pine Mountain & the Cumberland Mountains. Originally known as Mt. Pleasant. Dry. Eastern Time.
\Information
\Harlan Tourist & Convention Commission, 201 S. Main St., PO Box 489, Harlan, KY 40831. 606.573.4156
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\Evarts Tourism Commission, 101 Harlan St., Evarts, KY 40828. 606.837.0609.
\Lakes
\Cranks Creek Lake, (Herb Smith Lake) off KY 987, 15 mi. SW. 219 acres. Fishing (rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish), 2 ramps. Dam completed in 1963.
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\Martins Fork Lake, 13 mi. SE. on KY 987. 340 acres. Impounded 1978. Fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking. Martins Fork Dam, on Martins Fork of the Cumberland River, 504 ft. long, 97 ft. high. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
\Points of Interest
\Clover Fork Museum, KY 38, 6 mi. N. of Evarts. Restored 1930 home of Jack Taylor, operator of Highsplint coal mines.
\Harlan Center, 201 S. Main St. 7,000 sq. ft. of space for meetings, trade shows & special events.
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\Pine Mountain Settlement School, KY 221 & KY 510, Bledsoe. Mountain boarding school founded in 1913. 800 acres of forest & farmland. Native wood & stone buildings.
\Special Events
\Wildflower Weekend, Pine Mtn. Settlement School, Apr. 17-19.
\Black Mountain Weekend, Pine Mtn. Settlement School, May 1-3.
\Poke Sallet Festival, downtown, 1st wknd. June.
\Goin\' Back to Harlan Bluegrass Festival, 4th wknd. June.
\Harlan County Fair & Horse Show, Putney, Aug.
\Community Fair Day, Pine Mtn. Settlement School, Aug. 29.
\Labor Day Festival, Evarts, Sat. before Labor Day.
\Fall Colors Weekend, Pine Mtn. Settlement School, Oct. 16-18.
\Festival of the Mountain Masters, Village Center, Nov. 28-29.
\Christmas Parade, downtown, 1st Sat. Dec.
\Nativity Play, Pine Mtn. Settlement School, Dec. 13.
\Lodging
\Black Mountain Cabins, KY 38 to KY 3457, 6 units.
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\Holiday Inn Express
\2608 US 421S. Located downtown with 62 spacious guest rooms, 5 suites. Free hi-speed internet, cable TV. Indoor pool, sauna, guest laundry, business services. Free Express Start breakfast with signature Cinnamon Roll 6:30-9:30. www.hiexpress.com 606.573.3385.
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\Mount Aire Motel, 355 US 421S, 40 units.
\Restaurants
\El Charito, 135 Village Center Rd.
\Jay\'s Sandwich Shop, 119 E. Central St.
\Panda Garden, 2400 US 421S.
\Townsite Restaurant, 124 S. Main St.
\Familiar Food: US 421, Hardee\'s, Huddle House, KFC, Long John Silver\'s, McDonald\'s, Papa John\'s, Pizza Hut, Rax, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy\'s, Western Sizzlin; Baxter, Arby\'s, Dairy Queen.
\Shopping & Entertainment
\Artists\' Attic, 129 S. 1st St.
\Mountain Outdoors, 16 Chappell Dr., Baxter.
\Village Center Mall, 400 Village Center.
\Boating & Camping
\Harlan Center RV Park, 201 S. Main St., 7 sites.
\Harlan County Campground & RV Park, 8331 US 119, Putney, 3 cabins, 20 sites, 50 prim. sites.
\Stone Mountain Boat Dock, Cranks Creek Lake, Bay Branch Rd.
\Outdoor Adventure
\Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Park, Black Mountain. 7,000 acres of off-road trails for ATVs & other off-road vehicles. Easy, moderate & extreme difficulty. No fee.
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\Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve, KY 840, off US 119, near Keith. Protects the largest old-growth forest in Ky. A 3 mi. hiking trail begins at Camp Blanton adjacent to the preserve. 1/2 mi. trail along Watts Creek is a scenic & less strenuous alternative route. Open to the public for hiking, birding & nature study.
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\Cranks Creek Wildlife Management Area, 15 mi. SE. on Stone Mountain Rd. off US 421. 2,155 acres. Unique wagon tunnel road. Grouse, elk, squirrel, turkey, deer, rabbit, raptors. Fishing, rental boats. Picnicking at adjoining Stone Mountain. No camping. Ky. Dept. Fish & Wildlife Resources.
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\Kentenia State Forest, KY 1679, Little Shepherd Trail, off US 421, runs along the northern boundary of the forest. 4,277 acres located in 4 non-contiguous tracts on S. side of Pine Mountain. Hiking, picnicking, prim. camping, hunting, fishing. Off-road vehicles prohibited. Ky. Division of Forestry.
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\.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Area:
\Cumberland Shadow Hiking Trail, 6 mi. trail adj. to Martins Fork Lake. Picnicking, hunting, prim. camping. \ ');