Since prehistoric times, people have been seeking out the area we now know as Tennessee’s South Cumberland as a place to relax, re-charge, and re-connect with nature….and themselves.

It’s no wonder people have sought out this area for centuries. Pleasant summer breezes glide over the Cumberland Plateau, 2,000 feet above the sea, and its deep forests provide welcome shade. Temperatures here are typically six to eight degrees cooler than at lower elevations.  Cool mountain streams and their waterfalls create wonderful “swimming holes.” The breathtaking scenery is an added bonus.

In the 1800s, before air conditioning, a trip to “the Mountain” was an escape from the humid, stifling heat of summer that blankets the Southeast.  With the coming of the railroad just before the American Civil War, access to this area became considerably easier.

In the years that followed, people discovered Tennessee’s South Cumberland in increasing numbers.  Two historic villages from the 19th century are still remarkably intact — Beersheba Springs Assembly and the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly.

BEERSHEBA CAIN’S MINERAL SPRING

Beersheba Springs, near Savage Gulf State Park, was the first European settlement on the Cumberland Plateau. A chalybeate [mineral] spring was discovered along the ancient Chickamauga Trace in 1833 by Beersheba Cain (pronounced “BUR-sha-buh”).

After the Civil War, Beersheba Springs became a summer resort for southerners, who came here to escape the Southern heat. The Beersheba Springs Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many of its homes trace their original form back to the mid-1800s.

Each August, the town hosts the Beersheba Springs Arts and Crafts Festival on the grounds of the United Methodist Assembly, which bought the historic Beersheba hotel in 1941.

You can download a guide to the Beersheba Springs Walking Tour. Explore historic Beersheba Springs, and take a fascinating walk back in time!

THE MONTEAGLE CHAUTAUQUA

The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly was founded in 1882 by the Sunday School Convention of Tennessee. At the time, a number of states had these gatherings, often called Assemblies, all modeled after the Chautauqua Institution in New York.

It is one of only nine surviving Chautauqua assemblies in the United States, and still receives thousands of visitors a year.

You can visit the Assembly during its off-season (generally August through May) and see the many Victorian-era homes and buildings. In season (June and July), many of the summer programs are open both to MSSA residents and the public.  A limited number of cottages are available for rent during the summer season if you'd like to enjoy the full Chautauqua experience. Check the MSSA1882.net website for more.

UNPLUGGING TODAY

In our connected world today, unplugging every now and then is important to a healthy and balanced life. People from all across the country still come to “the Mountain” to unplug and re-charge. There's nothing quite like the cool, clean mountain air and breathtaking scenery to put life's challenges into perspective. You can also augment your nature experience with spa and fitness activities, like a solo or couple's massage, a morning yoga class, or even medical spa services. Many of the vacation homes listed on MountainsOfAdventure.com are private and secluded, and some even specialize in retreat experiences, like Rivendell Spiritual Center.

START YOUR TRADITION

The South Cumberland is also a great place to gather with friends and family. There are hundreds of wonderful vacation homes in Tennessee’s South Cumberland that can accommodate a single family or large group.  Many are listed on MountainsOfAdventure.com, as well as on short term rental sites like AirBnB, VRBO, as well as from local sites, like SouthCumberlandGetaways.com.

Tennessee’s South Cumberland has become a popular area for weddings, family reunions, business and other group retreats, too. No matter the size of your party, there are amazing places waiting for you here in the Mountains of Adventure. Our website has good information about the many excellent venues available for any group activity.

So, why not begin a new tradition for your family or friends?  Follow in the footsteps of folks who learned long ago that Tennessee’s South Cumberland is a great place to relax, reset, and return to daily life refreshed and re-energized!