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The current town of Butler, TN, was founded in the
late 1940's after TVA built a dam
creating the lovely
Watauga Lake in Northeast Tennessee to control
flooding. TVA flooded the old town, moving 100
residents initially. By the time the TVA project was
completed, 761 families had been moved. A museum
which has been rated as #1 in TN is now located in
"new" Butler, and a celebration is held the second
Sunday weekend in August to remember the old town of
Butler. This celebration is called Old Butler Days.
At the festival visitors and celebrants will find
music, games, exhibits, food, and museum tours.
Along with Hampton, TN,
the two small towns are now known to tourists and
recreational enthusiasts as 'Home to Watauga Lake'
and the home of "some of the friendliest residents
in the entire state"! Great southern, home-style,
country cooking can be found at Shirley's
Restaurant, where the parking lot is usually so
full, a gnat wouldn't fit.
Approximately once every 30 years, the lake level is
dropped to allow inspections and repairs to the dam.
At that time, the "Old Town of Butler" is revealed,
with steps to former homes, chimneys, and other
landmarks familiar only to those who were alive
during the years of relocation. Very few former
residents are alive today, and it will soon be time
for another dam inspection. Once again the draw-down
should attract many history buffs and other
interested tourists.
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