I have crossed many beautiful bridges in Tennessee but I didn’t quite appreciate the grandeur of the Butler Memorial Bridge until the second time I crossed it. At first, it appeared to be another
scenic view of the Watauga Lake but I quickly learned that it represents so much more than that. I would like to take you on a journey back in time to when this crossing was created and why it stands as a symbol for more than you might expect in Northeast Tennessee.
Resilience of a Town
Butler was a thriving valley town where people enjoyed a simple life among the mountains. There was no denying it, Butler was a hidden gem found within the lush green mountain that we
all know and love in Northeast Tennessee. A peaceful existence was brutally torn away from the town one day when yet another flood came rushing in 1940. The area was prone to flooding but this
particular disaster tragically took the life of six residents. Something had to be done and so a radical idea was proposed to move the entire town and create a dam to flood the existing valley. It was a huge task and work began on this daunting dilemma. This was the same grizzled group that got the moniker of “The Greatest Generation” where hard work and resilience proved to be
just a few of their best characteristics. Eventually, the dam was constructed and in 1948 the gates were opened as people watched their valley town completely fill with water.
Simitanesiously work on the Butler Bridge was being done and a few days later it opened for traffic for the first time. People had access to what was now their new home and they decided to
keep the name of Butler. However, this Butler was going to always retain the echoes of the past and would become known as “The town that wouldn’t drown.” This resilience is what makes up
the backbone of Butler, I have met many people from this little town and I can truly say they uphold the strong roots of their ancestors. The Butler Bridge stood in the gap and connected the
small town with the rest of the community in Northeast Tennessee, but more than a convenient road this bridge stood as a symbol of the past. It was truly a scenic show stopper when it first opened even earning a reward from the American Institute of Steel Construction for the most beautiful steel bridge. I couldn’t agree more with the award that was given in 1948.
The Bridge
You can visit this structure to this day and there is more to enjoy than simply driving over 1000 feet of the bridge. There is a small parking lot on either side where you can get out and explore
the area. I got out and snapped a few pictures and what appears to be a trail leads down to the water. There was a downed tree which made the area unsafe to travel any further but I thought
that it would make for a fantastic short trail someday. Once we drove across we made sure to see the view out either side. Being 80 feet above the river we had breathtaking views. The
currents of the water reflected the sun looking like a rippling blanket of diamonds as people floated on by with their boats.
Trading Post & Museum
This trip is worth taking not only for the bridge but also to see the new town of Butler. I would suggest a stop on by the Butler Trading Post for a quick lunch before you continue on. The rich
and fascinating history of this town can be found at the Butler Museum. Here is where you can learn more about the relocation of the 650 families before the valley was flooded and see what
life was like back then. This is where you can get the most comprehensive overview of this brilliant community and an afternoon well spent.
Learning all of this gave me a deeper appreciation not just for Butler but for Watauga Lake. In a way, it reminds me of how we live our lives as Americans. We have something so beautiful in
front of us but freedom always comes at a cost. This is the prettiest lake I have ever laid eyes on but great men went before me to pave the way to have the simple pleasures I can enjoy
today. When we first found this lake we drove out every week to have a family picnic and watch the sunset. The views just never get old to me and sometimes when life gets too busy we just
head to the shore of this beautiful body of water and allow the cadence of the lake to wash over us and relieve us of our worries.
There are alot of beautiful bridges in Tennessee but the Butler Memorial Bridge near Johnson County stands as a symbol of the resilience found here in our little corner of the world. The Town That Wouldn’t Drown not only holds within it a brilliant story but is a pivotal part of what makes Northeast Tennessee one of the best places in America.
Written by Chris Dodge for Northeast Tennessee Tourism
