Butler, TN "The Town That Wouldn't Drown" Part II

Continued.....

So in 1999 when a group of alumni from the Watauga Academy began to talk about building a museum to keep the memories of Butler alive, there was a great deal of interest.  The Butler Ruritan, led by Larry Shoun of Shoun’s Lumberyard, offered some of the land which had been donated to the Ruritan by Babe Curtis on which to build the museum. Shoun Lumber donated all the lumber which was used to build the museum and the inmates from the Northeast Correctional Center provided the labor. 

Today the Museum stands as a testament to the dedication of the Watauga Alumni Association, the Butler Ruritan, the NECC and Shoun Lumber to preserve the past while looking forward to making more memories for the present citizens of Butler.

Oh, what happened to Carderview?  Well, the citizens of Butler didn’t keep that name for very long.  In fact, the only use of the name today is as the name of the water company serving Butler.

Before the Tennessee Valley Authority built the world's largest earthen dam, Butler was the hub of life in the Watauga River Valley.  Native Americans, Daniel Boone, Frontiersmen, Scots and Irish - all found the lush valley, hardwood forests and softer climate hard to leave.

Mostly passed by during the Civil War, Butler and the surrounding communities of Fish Springs, Poga, Little Milligan, etc. have kept to "the old ways", living off the land to a great extent, taking care of family, being involved in their churches and welcoming strangers as friends.

In 1949 the dam began generating power. Today the TVA provides power for over 9 million customers through its series of over 34 lakes and dams. 

Watauga Dam is 318 feet high and extends 900 feet across the Watauga River. t more than 1,900 feet above sea level, Watauga holds the distinction of being the highest reservoir in the Tennessee River system. The reservoir is managed for many uses, including flood damage reduction, power generation, water quality, and aquatic ecology.

Surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains, Watauga Lake is one of the most scenic in the Tennessee River watershed. It offers access to the Appalachian Trail. Below Watauga Dam is a wildlife observation area where visitors have a chance to view unique species of waterfowl.

Watauga Lake is also a great place to fish, swim, and paddleboard.  Bring your boat, or rent one from one of the marinas and explore the feeder streams and coves which surround the lake.  There are also many homes to rent on the lake including the www.houseonwataugalake.com right in Butler.  This is a view from the Blue Bedroom!~