Old Butler, Tennessee has been submerged at the bottom of a lake since shortly after World War II, and the former residents and their descendants are inviting the world to take a tour. As part of the Watauga Lake Experience, a festival celebrating the Watauga Lake area of Tennessee, museum exhibits showing how the town looked in its drier days, and a tour from the lake's surface will bring together the past and the present of “the town that wouldn't drown.”

The Story

Butler was originally located at the confluence of Roan Creek and the Watauga River. Like many river towns in Tennessee at the time, it had flooding problems, flooding seven times between 1867 and 1940, according to one account. To reduce flooding along the river, and for other commercial purposes, lakes had to be created along many rivers by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). In Butler's case, the TVA needed to create such a lake directly over the town. Construction of the Watauga Dam began in 1942 and was finished in 1948 due to delays caused by World War II. In the meantime, the people of Old Butler had plenty of time to move to higher ground and build Butler 2.0, preserving many items from the old town.

The Museum

The Butler Museum is the home of many of the items saved from Old Butler, including saw blades, equipment and furniture from the old post office, and the chair from the barber's shop. The museum is the first stop on the two-part tour, offering a look at the stories of those who founded the new town. People who lived in Old Butler are often on hand to guide tours there. At the museum is a pair of large photographs depicting the heart of the dual tour - Old Butler before and after the construction of the dam. 

The Lake Tour

Captain Wally will be on hand to take visitors at the Watauga Lake Experience out on the lake over Old Butler and point out points of interest along the way. Captain Wally leaving every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th.

The Experience

The Watauga Lake Experience will be a multi-day event offering a wide array of entertainment for everyone, with food, games, music, and more. Multiple events will be held at Little Milligan School, downtown Butler and Watauga Lake For more information, email info@sugarhollowretreat.com.