ocated right at the entrance to Cumberland Gap National Park is the town of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Middlesboro has had quite a long and colorful history, starting with the location. It sits right in the center of a meteor crater. Now, you might think that’s a pretty hokey story. But numerous geolo-
gists from around the world have come to Middlesboro to study the rocks and soil. There are documented specimens proving the happening. In Middlesboro Country Club you can actually see one of the meteor rocks that shows through the surface of the ground. It’s said that you could take a hammer to that rock and the hammer would break. That specific spot has been a hot one for geologists to take samples. Another interesting fact about Middlesboro is that when the town was established, it was supposed to be the next Pittsburgh and the Las Vegas of the South. The potential of high steel production was what encouraged the establishment of Middlesboro as a town for entertaining the wealthy. Bars. Luxury lodging. The whole nine-yards. However, the steel in38
dustry folded just as quickly as it flourished and the town of Middlesboro was left to die. It never reached the potential the founders intended. Even with difficult beginnings, the people of Middlesboro chose not to give up. They made the necessary pivots in expectations, and remained strong and persistent. Even if Middlesboro couldn’t be a metropolis, it could still be a destination. Nature and history are things that will bring people to the area. However, the people and beautiful sound of the mountains is what makes them
want to visit again and again. Or, it may even make people uproot their entire lives, pack all of their belongings into a Uhaul, and move from the beaches of Florida to Kentucky. You may think that’s just us, but it’s not. There’s some magic here, y’all.
