HISTORY
Since the late 1700's, Monteagle Mountain has been a gateway to the communities of the Southern Cumberland Plateau because it is the narrowest place on the plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville. It is also the highest point of land at 2,100 feet.
In May of 1870, John Moffat, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, settled with his wife and children in the unbroken forest that later would become Moffat Station and still later, the city of Monteagle.
Today Monteagle has become a major recreational area with 16,000 acres of South Cumberland State Park. Running along the escarpment of the plateau, miles of hiking trails with overnight camping provides excitement for both the casual hiker to the experienced mountain climber. Trails vary from easy to difficult. The Great Stone Door is a cleft in the rock formation that allowed indians to climb from the valley floor to the top.
Spelunking (cave exploring) abounds in the numerous limestone cave formations. Many caves are open to the public. Russel Cave and nearby Ruby Falls offer amazement to all.
Then there is the majestic beauty of the many waterfalls that plunge over the edge of the Cumberland escarpment.
Monteagle is most famous for the treacherous stretch of Interstate 24 that passes through the town. It is here
I-24 crosses the mountain of the same name, "The Monteagle" a major landmark between Chattanooga and Nashville. Crawling up 900 feet in elevation, truckers and other heavy vehicles may meet with overheating or mechanical failures. It is one mile across the plateau and then begins the same 900 foot desent. The interstate regularly shuts down in inclement weather, routing traffic onto U.S. Highway 41 which is a two-lane twisting road and even more treacherous. Towing is a big business at Monteagle.
The town is home to the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly which is active with summer retreats. The Highlander Folk School, long involved in the labor and civil rights movements, was located here from 1932 to 1961. Rosa Parks attended workshops there shortly before the Montgomery Bus Boycott with M L King.
Grundy County offers untold pleasures for the family wanting to explore the wonders of nature. Click on South Cumberland State Park for more information of the natural wonders of Grundy County.
For more information, click on the various links.
