Ghost towns in Kentucky? There are a few, including an abandoned mining site in Big South Fork, that will surely spark your imagination. But did you know there’s an underwater ghost town in Kentucky, too? And that this underwater city is located in one of the state’s most prized lakes? Today we’re going to share the story of Birmingham, Kentucky, a once-thriving community that’s now an underwater city just below the surface of Kentucky Lake.
Southwest Kentucky, within the area now known as Land Between the Lakes, is where the story begins. Birmingham was located on land owned by Thomas A. Grubbs in 1849, laid out and platted in 1853, and incorporated in 1860. Named after the town in England, Birmingham had a strong start, with a steel mill and timber business, and iron industry in the works.
Patrick Adams/Google Local
By 1894 Birmingham had five churches, two schools, two hotels, four dry goods and general stores, three grocers, two millinery shops, two wagon and blacksmith shops, and a drug store. By 1929, the town was home to 600 residents.
Midnight Believer/Flickr And then, an announcement was made that would change the course of history for Birmingham, Kentucky.
In 1938, the Tennessee Valley Authority announced the building of Kentucky Dam for the creation of Kentucky Lake, and Birmingham’s residents were informed that they needed to relocate… just like that.
Land Between the Lakes KY/TN/Flickr
Work on the dam began shortly thereafter, a project that would result in the creation of what was then the largest manmade lake in the world.
Land Between the Lakes KY/TN/Flickr
And in 1944, the sun set for the final time above Birmingham, Kentucky – at least, the town as everyone knew it.
Julie Moryl/Google Local
Adding insult to injury, some Birmingham residents relocated to the site for Lake Barkley, and would later be forced to move again.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Visual Library/Wikipedia
Today, the former town rests in peace beneath the waters of Kentucky Lake. Visitors to Birmingham Point Campground sometimes report miscellaneous odds and ends surfacing at the shore.
Land Between the Lakes KY/TN/Flickr
But for the most part, folks carry on with life, fishing and swimming in the waters of Kentucky Lake, completely unaware of what lies beneath these waters.
Brian Mick/Google Local
Isn’t it wild that a once-thriving community in Kentucky is now an underwater ghost town?
Kentucky Lake - KentuckyLake.com/Facebook
Did you know about this underwater city in Kentucky Lake? It’s amazing to think of the incredible worlds hidden just below our feet.
Patrick Adams/Google Local
Midnight Believer/Flickr
And then, an announcement was made that would change the course of history for Birmingham, Kentucky.
Land Between the Lakes KY/TN/Flickr
Julie Moryl/Google Local
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Visual Library/Wikipedia
Brian Mick/Google Local
Kentucky Lake - KentuckyLake.com/Facebook
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Address: Birmingham, KY 42044, USA
