Across America, small towns quietly exist among forests, across prairies and in the mountains. These communities were established by individuals seeking land, a future and a chance to build a life. Long before highways were constructed and train tracks were laid, people arrived on horseback, in buggies and in covered wagons.
Their journeys were perilous, and many never reached their destination. Nonetheless, others continued to explore, search and build the nation we call home today.
In 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker, a physician and explorer from Virginia, was commissioned to find a route to the American West. He and his team successfully located this path, which they named the Cumberland
Gap, at the borders of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Daniel Boone and his team created the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap in 1775, enabling wagon travel. This expansion helped grow the United States borders to the Mississippi River, with around 300,000 settlers using the trail from 1775 to 1820.
A gateway for westward travelers
By 1796, Avery's Trace in Tennessee had become an important route for westward travelers. When families arrived at Standing Stone, they discovered a flat plateau at an elevation of 2,200 feet, which provided a convenient resting place. The cool mountain air and refreshing mineral springs helped to rejuvenate their spirits before they continued their journey.
A few people chose to stay, including my ancestors, who built a small inn on the land that appeared to touch the sky. This marked the beginning of what would later become Monterey, Tennessee, the gateway to the West.
When railroads and tourism brought prosperity
By the late 1800s, Monterey became a thriving and bustling tourist
destination. Dusty roads, worn by wagons and horses, lay alongside elevated wooden sidewalks with hitching posts in front of the general store, bank and post office.
When the railway arrived in 1893, seven hotels operated in town. Lumber and coal production flourished, and tourism boomed.
Thousands of visitors boarded trains to ascend the mountain, eager to experience the refreshing, scenic beauty of this historic location, which had only 1,100 permanent residents in 1910. They hiked to Bee Rock to gaze over the crest and take in the expansive view below.
Bee Rock possesses a timeless tranquility that captivates anyone who ventures out onto its weather-worn stone. Formed over millennia, the rugged cliff face stands as a silent sentinel over the Upper Cumberland – disconnected from the rush of the modern world.
It remains a rare, breathtaking slice of wilderness – pure, powerful and utterly unforgettable.
The end of the railroad era
But the trains wouldn't run forever.
The Tennessee Central Railroad, which once proudly carried passengers and heavy freight up the mountain, began a gradual decline as demand for coal decreased and automobiles dominated American life. Passenger service quietly ended in 1955, and by 1968, the sound of the train's whistle had faded away.
Just as the automobile replaced the train, carpeting played a role in the closure of the main lumber plant in town. Despite its vibrant tourism and thriving businesses, the small town felt forgotten. Like many American towns, Monterey gradually experienced a decline in prosperity, losing one train service and one successful business at a time.
Why these places still matter
When I visit my birthplace, it feels like a gateway to history. I find myself in tears as I gaze at the only remaining hotel; it stands empty, awaiting the return of visitors who seek a slower pace, fresh air and the echoes of the past.
How often do we overlook history because we are eager to reach our destinations? Just beyond the exits lie places that played significant roles in shaping America. Small towns continue to struggle for survival as countless textile mills have closed, steel production has declined and other once-thriving businesses have ended. For many of these communities, these industries were the primary sources of income.
Those of us who grew up in small-town America remember the dignity of the hard workers who took pride in their contributions, not only to their towns but also to our nation.
Just beyond the exits lie the stories of families who fought to save a country, explore new horizons and make a difference. The big cities are noisy, but the small towns across our country provide America’s heartbeat.
A new chapter for Monterey
The frontier spirit thrives in Monterey, thanks to Rafferty Cleary, who discovered his love for the town. With local historian Dale Welch, he transformed the old depot into a museum and repurposed a railcar as an event venue. Their efforts, along with Main Street renovations, new restaurants, regular band performances and the enduring appeal of Bee Rock, are breathing new life into the town while preserving history.
Every small American town has a story and a desire to reinvent itself.
But small towns like Monterey never really disappear. They wait for someone to remember. And on this mountaintop where the hilltops kiss the sky, the story is being told once again.
Lynn Walker Gendusa is a writer in Georgia and the author of the book "Southern Comfort." She is originally from Monterey, Tennessee.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The story of America lives in Monterey, Tennessee | Opinion
