Ky. Dam before it was a dam

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07-30-2009, 03:31 PM
rnvinc

Ky. Dam before it was a dam

I found these pics in my dad's collection...He was born (1930) and raised at Gobbler's Knob which use to be located just up on the hill on the south side of what is now Ky. Dam Marina....

He has told me stories of walking to Gilbertsville school every day across "the bottom peanut patch" which is now the bottom of Ky Dam Marina...

All of these pics are in (I think) 1938....which is 1 year after the "big flood of '37" and right before TVA started construction of KY. Dam....

Ky Dam site from the north looking south.....notice "27 mile island" that starts just south of the RR bridge and farther south you can make out "3 mile island"...these islands still show on present day topo maps of Ky. Lake...of course they are under water now....

Notice the town of "Old Gilbertsville" at bottom center of pic...this town was moved farther down HWY 282 toward Calvert City to allow for the construction of the dam....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...amsiten2s2.jpg

Closer pic of Ky Dam site from the north looking south....notice the type of river barge access bridge on the west (right) side of the river was a "spin" type (I have no idea what the actual name is) where the first two sections of bridge spans were attached to an "axle" bridge support that spun 90 degrees to allow barge access thru the brigde...I was told that this section was moved somewhere south and used in some other location for years....

This pic must be right at the start of dam construction because it shows the coffer dam just south of the RR bridge that was built at the section of river that went around the east side of "27 mile island"

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...damsiten2s.jpg

Ky Dam site from south looking north...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...damsites2n.jpg

This is the aerial view of "Old Gilbertsville" which was moved farther west down HWY 282 during the dam construction....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...bertsville.jpg

This is a downtown pic of "Old Gilbertsville" ....notice the sign on the side of the brick building in the right hand side of pic..."Overalls...R.D. Smith Gilbertsville KY.....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...svilletown.jpg

This is the RR trestle in the bottom right of the aerial photo of "Old Gilbertsville" that led up to the RR bridge that crossed the Tennessee River..

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...eatoldgilb.jpg

If anyone has more pics relating to this era before Ky. Dam was built please add to this post...I"m really interested in finding aerial photos of the Marshall Co. town of "Old Birmingham" that was just south of "3 mile island"....
07-30-2009, 05:20 PM
opie13

Those are some neat pictures. It's always neat to see stuff like that before it was covered up. They seem to still be in great shape to. Thanks for putting them up.
07-30-2009, 07:00 PM
frank lawhead

Ky Dam

Great Pictures-enjoyed Looking At Them
07-30-2009, 07:52 PM
Hanr3

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

I didn't see the sign you mentioned. I did however see the Falstaff beer sign. I remember that beer. A little before my time, but I remember it. :D
07-30-2009, 09:31 PM
Quicksilver1958

Thanks !

Wow, thanks for sharing..

Sure brings back some memories. I grew up just a few miles from Ky. Dam. I can remember fishing below the dam when I was barely big enough to hold a rod. We kept an old steel fishing boat at the boat dock that used to be just north of the Dam on the Gilbertsville side. I remember that old boat surviving the cyclone that hit that marina in the mid 60's..

Gobbler's Knob, Yep, off of old sledd creek road.. It was a popular "parking" spot when I was growing up.

Thanks again, Great pics!
07-31-2009, 08:31 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanr3

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

I didn't see the sign you mentioned. I did however see the Falstaff beer sign. I remember that beer. A little before my time, but I remember it. :D

It's the faded sign just to the right of the Falstaff sign...it's hard to make out...
07-31-2009, 08:46 AM
rnvinc

Lucky for me I also have a set of aerial photos of this site from 2000 ft looking straight down.....

There are 5 separate 9in. X 9in. aerial photos...when pieced together they show the pre-kydam section of the TN. river from the "Old TN. river boat ramp" (north of the RR bridge) all the way south to "3 mile island"....

If I can find a way to scan each of these pics and then "stitch" them together to show the entire section, I will post them....separately it's hard to comprehend what each pic is showing, but "stitched" together they make a very neat looking aerial view of the TN river (pre-kydam)...

I'm still interest in finding any pre-kydam photos of the town of "old Birmingham"....
07-31-2009, 10:03 PM
M R Dux

My maternal grandparents were from old Gilbertsville and lived at Birmingham until they flooded the lake. I remember going to the Gilbertsville reunions as a kid.

Quicksilver, was the marina the boat basin or Van Winkles?
08-01-2009, 08:24 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdux

My maternal grandparents were from old Gilbertsville and lived at Birmingham until they flooded the lake. I remember going to the Gilbertsville reunions as a kid.

mrdux (cousin)...you and I have the same grandparents....Floyd and Arlene..
08-01-2009, 06:52 PM
M R Dux

Brain fart alert!!

I didn't even see who the thread was posted by. You are most correct, cuz!

Loved the photos to say the least.
08-02-2009, 08:44 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdux

Brain fart alert!!

I didn't even see who the thread was posted by. You are most correct, cuz!

Loved the photos to say the least.

My mind seems to stay in this alert mode......
08-02-2009, 07:20 PM
M R Dux

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

My mind seems to stay in this alert mode......

Recon genetics has anything to do with it? I was fleshing a deer hide yesterday about 4 PM when it hit me that you were the one who posted the thread. Man, too many hours at the studio and no time on the lake are making me crazy! You know it's been a long week when you sit at work thinking about things you posted on the net.LOL! That's also why I don't have internet at my studio. I would never come home except to change underwear. That wouldn't fly with Ms.V.
08-02-2009, 09:28 PM
Quicksilver1958

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdux

Quicksilver, was the marina the boat basin or Van Winkles?

The Boat Basin,, That's it... Van Winkles was downstream a bit.

Thanks!
08-03-2009, 08:33 PM
rnvinc

[QUOTE=mrdux;859224]Recon genetics has anything to do with it? I was fleshing a deer hide yesterday about 4 PM when it hit me that you were the one who posted the thread. Man, too many hours at the studio and no time on the lake are making me crazy! You know it's been a long week when you sit at work thinking about things you posted on the net.LOL! That's also why I don't have internet at my studio. I would never come home except to change underwear. That wouldn't fly with Ms.V.[/QUOTE]

:D:D:D:D:D
08-03-2016, 11:22 PM
Christian Greco

Gilbertsville, et. al.

Hi,

Great post about Gilbertsville and Birmingham prior to the impoundment of Kentucky Lake. I'm a historian who is writing a book on the fate of Old Eddyville, Old Kuttawa and Between the Rivers as Barkley Dam and Lake were created. I just want to be clear about something I believe you mistakenly implied here. You are aware that while Birmingham was indeed flooded, Gilbertsville never was, correct? The actual, historical site of Old Gilbertsville has never been underwater. The site of Old Gilbertsville School is not under the lake, either. This is a common mistake among folks who simply lump the demise of Gilbertsville together with the watery fates of the other towns in the 1940s and 1960s. In fact, Gilbertsville was the only major town to be relocated that was never in danger of submersion. You can visit the very site of Old Gilbertsville today, on foot.

I hope this clarifies any misconceptions you may have about your family history.

The

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

I found these pics in my dad's collection...He was born (1930) and raised at Gobbler's Knob which use to be located just up on the hill on the south side of what is now Ky. Dam Marina....

He has told me stories of walking to Gilbertsville school every day across "the bottom peanut patch" which is now the bottom of Ky Dam Marina...

All of these pics are in (I think) 1938....which is 1 year after the "big flood of '37" and right before TVA started construction of KY. Dam....

Ky Dam site from the north looking south.....notice "27 mile island" that starts just south of the RR bridge and farther south you can make out "3 mile island"...these islands still show on present day topo maps of Ky. Lake...of course they are under water now....

Notice the town of "Old Gilbertsville" at bottom center of pic...this town was moved farther down HWY 282 toward Calvert City to allow for the construction of the dam....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...amsiten2s2.jpg

Closer pic of Ky Dam site from the north looking south....notice the type of river barge access bridge on the west (right) side of the river was a "spin" type (I have no idea what the actual name is) where the first two sections of bridge spans were attached to an "axle" bridge support that spun 90 degrees to allow barge access thru the brigde...I was told that this section was moved somewhere south and used in some other location for years....

This pic must be right at the start of dam construction because it shows the coffer dam just south of the RR bridge that was built at the section of river that went around the east side of "27 mile island"

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...damsiten2s.jpg

Ky Dam site from south looking north...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...damsites2n.jpg

This is the aerial view of "Old Gilbertsville" which was moved farther west down HWY 282 during the dam construction....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...bertsville.jpg

This is a downtown pic of "Old Gilbertsville" ....notice the sign on the side of the brick building in the right hand side of pic..."Overalls...R.D. Smith Gilbertsville KY.....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...svilletown.jpg

This is the RR trestle in the bottom right of the aerial photo of "Old Gilbertsville" that led up to the RR bridge that crossed the Tennessee River..

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...eatoldgilb.jpg

If anyone has more pics relating to this era before Ky. Dam was built please add to this post...I"m really interested in finding aerial photos of the Marshall Co. town of "Old Birmingham" that was just south of "3 mile island"....
08-03-2016, 11:54 PM
ccollins

Rick don't know why but I can't click on picture says photo not found.:dono
08-04-2016, 08:31 AM
floatntiny

Me too but mine says photo not found
08-04-2016, 09:43 AM
pab1981

Thread was started by Ricky in 2009, pics are probably gone.
08-04-2016, 11:24 AM
Clint

For those interested what an area looked like in the past go the following website.
In the search box type in the area you want to look at.
Once you hit return you will get the current aerial photo of the area.
On the left you will see a list of years from which you can choose.

You can also click the "Compare" button and you will get a split screen so you can set up one year on one side and a previous year on the other.

Historic Aerials
08-04-2016, 12:36 PM
M R Dux

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Greco

Hi,

Great post about Gilbertsville and Birmingham prior to the impoundment of Kentucky Lake. I'm a historian who is writing a book on the fate of Old Eddyville, Old Kuttawa and Between the Rivers as Barkley Dam and Lake were created. I just want to be clear about something I believe you mistakenly implied here. You are aware that while Birmingham was indeed flooded, Gilbertsville never was, correct? The actual, historical site of Old Gilbertsville has never been underwater. The site of Old Gilbertsville School is not under the lake, either. This is a common mistake among folks who simply lump the demise of Gilbertsville together with the watery fates of the other towns in the 1940s and 1960s. In fact, Gilbertsville was the only major town to be relocated that was never in danger of submersion. You can visit the very site of Old Gilbertsville today, on foot.

I hope this clarifies any misconceptions you may have about your family history.

The

I would be very much interested in your book. I vividly remember both Old Eddyville and Old Kuttawa prior to Barkley being flooded. I treasure a photo of my Great Garandmother and myself sitting on her porch steps when I was 2 years old. Those steps would now be about lake level at winter pool just south east of the Penitentiary. The road that ran from Suwanee to Hwy 93 is one of our favorite catfish haunts in the spring. My Dad grew up racing on that stretch of road. Each time we fish there I get to hear the same stories from his youth. I never get tired of them. I remember riding in the back seat of his car when there were tobacco sticks driven into the shoulder of the road to show where it was during flooding times.

Rickie (rnvinc) and I share Grandparents on my Mother's side of the family. His Dad and my Mom were born in the area called Gobbler's Knob, which is the hillside on the south side of KY Dam Marina. Several of our ancestors are buried in the cemetery there. I used to attend the Old Gilbertsville reunions each year when our Grandparents were alive.

Much of my post was posted previously. I didn't take time to go back before posting. My parents are now in their late years and we have talked about family items my brother and I would like to have. MY Mom has a set of Marshall County road maps from prior to KY Lake being flooded. I put dibs on those.
08-04-2016, 01:05 PM
crp4570

I would really enjoy seeing those maps Doug if they ever come into your possession.
08-04-2016, 06:32 PM
Rocketman

photo not found
08-04-2016, 07:47 PM
rnvinc

Seems I may have moved those photos in my Photobucket account and broke the link to them ...

I will get them reposted ...

Rickie
08-04-2016, 08:12 PM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Greco

Ijust want to be clear about something I believe you mistakenly implied here. You are aware that while Birmingham was indeed flooded, Gilbertsville never was, correct? The actual, historical site of Old Gilbertsville has never been underwater. The site of Old Gilbertsville School is not under the lake, either. This is a common mistake among folks who simply lump the demise of Gilbertsville together with the watery fates of the other towns in the 1940s and 1960s. In fact, Gilbertsville was the only major town to be relocated that was never in danger of submersion. You can visit the very site of Old Gilbertsville today, on foot.

I hope this clarifies any misconceptions you may have about your family history.

No misconception here ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

He has told me stories of walking to Gilbertsville school every day across "the bottom peanut patch" which is now the bottom of Ky Dam Marina..

My apologies if anyone misinterpreted my OP above to think any part of "Old Gilbertsville" was flooded after the construction of Ky Dam ...

My intent was to indicate that "the bottom peanut patch" is now under water where Ky Dam Marina now is ...not the Old Gilbertsville school ...nor the town of Old Gilbertsville ...

Rickie
08-04-2016, 08:54 PM
rnvinc

Here is a re-post of the OP with the pictures ...:

I found these pics in my dad's collection...He was born (1930) and raised at Gobbler's Knob which use to be located just up on the hill on the south side of what is now Ky. Dam Marina....

He has told me stories of walking to Gilbertsville school every day across "the bottom peanut patch" which is now the bottom of Ky Dam Marina...

All of these pics are in (I think) 1938....which is 1 year after the "big flood of '37" and right before TVA started construction of KY. Dam....

Ky Dam site from the north looking south.....notice "27 mile island" that starts just south of the RR bridge and farther south you can make out "3 mile island"...these islands still show on present day topo maps of Ky. Lake...of course they are under water now....

Notice the town of "Old Gilbertsville" at bottom center of pic...this town was moved farther down HWY 282 toward Calvert City to allow for the construction of the dam....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstvhly6fi.jpg

Closer pic of Ky Dam site from the north looking south....notice the type of river barge access bridge on the west (right) side of the river was a "spin" type (I have no idea what the actual name is) where the first two sections of bridge spans were attached to an "axle" bridge support that spun 90 degrees to allow barge access thru the brigde...I was told that this section was moved somewhere south and used in some other location for years....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbvrrumqm.jpg

This pic must be right at the start of dam construction because it shows the coffer dam just south of the RR bridge that was built at the section of river that went around the east side of "27 mile island"

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb2wo3yxk.jpg

Ky Dam site from south looking north...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjtus1wjl.jpg

This is the aerial view of "Old Gilbertsville" which was moved farther west down HWY 282 during the dam construction....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfjajmntg.jpg

This is a downtown pic of "Old Gilbertsville" ....notice the sign on the side of the brick building in the right hand side of pic..."Overalls...R.D. Smith Gilbertsville KY.....

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pszboqlcfo.jpg

This is the RR trestle in the bottom right of the aerial photo of "Old Gilbertsville" that led up to the RR bridge that crossed the Tennessee River..

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjqk3snul.jpg

If anyone has more pics relating to this era before Ky. Dam was built please add to this post...I"m really interested in finding aerial photos of the Marshall Co. town of "Old Birmingham" that was just south of "3 mile island"....

Rickie
08-04-2016, 09:10 PM
crp4570

Thx for the repost. :highfive
08-04-2016, 09:21 PM
rnvinc

Here are some other odds and ends pix I've gathered in my collection since the OP in 2009 ...

Jonathon Creek bridge on Hwy 68 East before flooding Ky Lake ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstrkliko2.jpg

Construction of gates 15-24 ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvs6n2mmu.jpg

Star Quarry (at now Pisgah Bay) ... They built a railroad from Star Quarry north to the dam site for supplying rock for the concrete plant built at the dam site ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psq7inveaj.jpg

Random piling construction ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pslnigypdk.jpg

Generator intakes above the dam (we still fish these from the bank in present day = great white bass fishing) ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pskuvejufn.jpg

A couple of gates ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psj3ufnpzp.jpg

The earthen levy west of the dam during rip rapping ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pspbqvbi9n.jpg

Spur railroad ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pshpyshbja.jpg

Boat basin marina north of dam site ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps5rglvzut.jpg

Canal construction looking East (you can see what is now Barkley Lake at the very top of the picture) ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psyiyvkn5k.jpg

Random ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4d6gfspb.jpg

Rickie
08-04-2016, 09:34 PM
rnvinc

Here's a few diagrams I've been able to collect ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2dugbe3q.jpg

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnla9yt0h.jpg

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pspw6grlyq.jpg

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstsvlbjcl.jpg

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psm22intrw.jpg

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...pswbb3bzvs.jpg

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvnkjoa31.jpg

Rickie
08-04-2016, 10:02 PM
bandchaser

This is awesome stuff right here! Thanks Ricky!!!!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
08-04-2016, 10:03 PM
crp4570

That is too cool.
08-04-2016, 10:24 PM
ccollins

Thx for repost.
08-05-2016, 03:48 PM
smashdn

I seem to recall that if you google "Old Birmingham" or "old city of Birmingham" you will get some pictures. May have to add KY in there somewhere to get what you need. May also send you to the between the rivers' peoples' website.