Former residents and community members gathered Saturday morning for a dedication of the Fenton Overlook, just east of the Eggner’s Ferry bridge in Trigg County.
Fenton, Kentucky was a thriving community in the early 19th century, as European settlers began to arrive, establishing farms and communities in the region. The construction of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers’ dams in the mid-20th century led to the creation of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, forming the Land Between the Lakes.
During the 1960s, the Tennessee Valley Authority acquired the land, displacing many families and businesses. The area was designated as a national recreation area and is now managed by the United States Forest Service. The goal was to preserve the natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities for visitors.
Jim Wallace, a former Between the Rivers resident, served as master of ceremony for the dedication. He said the way in which the national recreation area was created was tragic.
Many families either lost their homes or businesses, some even lost both. He added the new panels installed at the Fenton Overlook will share the history of the once-thriving community.
Holland added that anything Between the Rivers related has become quite popular.
The new overlook area was the brainchild of the Fenton Overlook committee and the Trigg County Historical Society. Both groups received full support from the U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes. LBL Acting Area Supervisor James Thweatt shared that while growing up on the Graves County side of the border with Marshall County, the area has meant a lot to him growing up.
Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries shared that he often wonders what the county would be like in 2023 if the tragic events had not transpired.
The entire hour-long dedication can be heard below:
