10 Fun Facts about Crossville, TN: World's Largest Treehouse, Golf, etc.

A few weeks ago, I filmed a series called “10 Days of Crossville,” where I shared fun facts about Crossville, TN every day for ten days. It started as a way to have some fun with local history and lore, but the response caught me off guard. So many of you told me you learned something new about a town you thought you already knew inside and out!

I wanted to pull all ten facts together in one place, both for the people who caught the whole series and for anyone new to Crossville who wants a quick, fun crash course on where they’re moving. Here they are.

1. The Crossville Depot Burned Down on Valentine’s Day

Back in 1925, the Crossville Depot burned to the ground on February 14th. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of story that sticks with you once you know it.

2. Crossville Got Its Name Because…

Crossville isn’t just a catchy name. The town sits at the historical intersection of the Great Stage Road and the Kentucky Stock Road, and that crossroad is exactly where the name came from.

3. Crossville Is the Golf Capital of Tennessee

Crossville is home to nine golf courses for locals and visitors to enjoy. Five of those courses are in the Fairfield Glade community: Druid Hills, Stonehenge, Dorchester, Heatherhurst Crag, and Heatherhurst Brae. If golf is part of your lifestyle, you’ll have more variety here than almost anywhere else in the state.

4. The Art Circle Library Moved in 2010

The current Art Circle Library building went up in May 2010. Before that, the library was located where the Hilltoppers thrift store sits today.

5. The Homestead Tower Was Part of FDR’s New Deal

The Homestead Tower was built in the 1930s and 40s as part of FDR’s New Deal. It served as an administrative building, a watchtower, and a 50,000-gallon water tank for the Cumberland Homesteads community. Today, it’s a museum for anyone interested in the history of the homestead project and the families who built this community.

6. Grassy Cove Is the Largest Sinkhole in North America

Grassy Cove, right here in the Upper Cumberland, is the largest sinkhole in North America. Water drains underground there and resurfaces miles away in the Sequatchie River.

7. The Cumberland Trail Runs 300 Miles

The Cumberland Trail stretches 300 miles, starting in Hamilton County and ending in Claiborne County. The Cumberland Trail Conservancy, with an office located by Fortes in Crossville, is still building the trail in sections. If you’ve ever wanted to volunteer for trail building, this could be your opportunity.

8. Obed River Park Has 2.1 Miles of Paved Trails

Located off Highway 70, Obed River Park offers 2.1 miles of paved walking trails, outdoor workout equipment, and a historical dam that broke in the 1930s.

9. Crossville Used to Have the World’s Largest Treehouse

Crossville was once home to the World’s Largest Treehouse, until it burned down in 2019. It had already been closed to the public since 2012 due to growing safety concerns, but for those of us who grew up here, it’s still a fond memory.

10. Cumberland Mountain State Park Was Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps

Cumberland Mountain State Park was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of the New Deal, and it’s still one of the area’s most visited outdoor spots today.

Crossville Has More History Than People Expect

Ten facts barely scratch the surface, but they’re a good starting point if you’re curious about what makes this town home to many Tennesseans.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Crossville or the Upper Cumberland, I’d love to help you get to know the area, both the history and the day-to-day. Reach out any time!

Madeline Mendell REALTOR® | Wallace Real Estate – Upper Cumberland (931) 287-8811

10 Fun Facts about Crossville, TN: World’s Largest Treehouse, Golf, etc.