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Cordell Hull and
Bunkum Cave
| Located 1.5
miles west of HIghway 111 just outside of Byrdstown, Tennessee on
Cordell Hull Memorial Blvd., is the Cordell Hull Birthplace and
Museum State Park. Hull was Secretary of State during the administration
of FDR and is considered by many to be the Father of the United
Nations. The site consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin
birthplace, activities |
offices and a museum housing documents and artifacts including a
replica of Hull's Nobel Peace Prize.
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Recently, with the
help of the Friends of Cordell Hull Association, the State purchased
additional land containing the scenic and historic Bunkum Cave.
With its mouth over 100 feet wide by 30 feet high and bisected
by a small, clear stream, Bunkum Cave has been a delight to generations
of adventuresome local explorers for years.
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One of its most famous visitors was
William Hull, Cordell's colorful father. William, known as Bill,
arrived in the area owning only the clothes that covered him.
The resourceful Hull had "bus'ness" (Tennessean for
moonshining) setting up his still in the mouth of Bunkum Cave.
He made what the old timers remember as Number Nine Moonshine.
By the time he got caught and fined $25 he had $1,000 saved up
and quit the moonshining business making it thereafter for personal
consumption and in case anyone should get sick in the night. With
this grubstake he bought a stand of poplar trees and rafted them
down the Cumberland River to Nashville. He ended up perhaps the
richest man on the Cumberland Plateau.
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| In November of 2004, Americorp
started Phase 1 of a scenic 1/2 mile trail to an overlook to the
cave and another 1/2 mile back to park headquarters. Along the easy
hiking trail are native wildflowers and numerous small woodland
animals with the dramatic overlook of the cave entrance as the reward
for the walk through the cool woods. |
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The second phase, was completed by
Spring 2006,and includes a trail to the entrance of the cave.
Access to the cave will be allowed but with the safety of the
visitors and protection of the resources in mind, visitors must
register with the park office if they plan to enter the cave.
The plans for spring 2007 include
creating an additional mile of trail which will create a loop
trail for the visitors to enjoy.
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— Article written by Lana Baker Rossi, President
Friends of Cordell Hull
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For More
Information Call:
Cordell Hull Birthplace
and Museum State Park
1300 Cordell Hull Memorial Drive
Byrdstown, TN 38549
Telephone: (931) 864-3247
Contact Robin Peeler
or Charles Sears
Friends
of Cordell Hull!
Byrdstown Pickett County Chamber of Commerce
Toll Free - 1-888-406-4704
or
Contact the Chamber by E-mail!
© Cordell Hull Birthplace Museum State
Park 2007
site
last updated April 10, 2008
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