Dickson County: Railroad History, Nature and Special Excursion Destinations

Dickson County offers a varied mix of railroad history, regional heritage, museums, lakes and outdoor activities. You can explore historic sites, plan routes for walking or cycling, and at the same time discover special excursion destinations such as Hideaway Farm or the Wonders Center & Science Museum. Thanks to its convenient interstate connections, Music City USA can be reached by car from Dickson County in 30 minutes.

Railroad History and Regional Heritage

With 11 permanent exhibits, the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum is dedicated to the history of Dickson County, the American Civil War, the railroad, the civil rights movement, and the life and legacy of Governor Frank G. Clement. The model railroad room is in operation on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hotel Halbrook offers another connection to history: It opened as a railroad hotel in April 1914 and remained in operation until 1954.

Impressive examples of regional history can also be found outside Dickson. The Promise Land Community in Charlotte, Tennessee, was settled by African Americans shortly after the American Civil War. Today, the one-room schoolhouse and the church are still preserved there. The Lonesome Cabin was built in 1821 and is considered the oldest residential building in southern Dickson County.

More than 30 buildings and sites in the Cumberland Furnace Historic District commemorate the iron industry. The Cumberland Iron Works Museum is a stop on the Tennessee Iron Furnace Trail. At Old Spencer Mill, you can see two sets of French millstones and original equipment powered by a 20-foot-high Fitz water wheel. Tours focusing on living history are offered there by prior appointment; the mill also continues to grind cornmeal. In Charlotte, the Dickson County Courthouse, built in 1804, defines the Historic Charlotte Town Square. It is the oldest courthouse in the state still in operation.

Museums, Special Places and Events

Those seeking unusual museum experiences will find an exhibition covering more than 100,000 square feet at the Wonders Center & Science Museum. The offerings include a musical Tesla coil show with a voltage of one million volts. Hideaway Farm was founded in 1837 and later served as a retreat for Johnny Cash in the Nashville area. Rare photographs and personal items associated with Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley are displayed there. For additional entertainment, Thunder Alley offers bowling, an arcade, laser tag and a laser maze.

The annual events may also be of interest when planning your trip. Old Timers Days takes place on the first weekend in May. The Dickson County Fair features rides, live entertainment, livestock shows, exhibits and competitions. The Dickson County Farmers Market offers fresh farm produce, meat, eggs, baked goods and handmade arts and crafts products.

Lakes, Trails and Outdoor Activities

Henslee Park has more than four miles of trails for walking, running and cycling. Dickson Skate Park adds a course for skateboarders, skaters and cyclists. Montgomery Bell State Park offers opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking and mountain biking. An 18-hole, par-72 golf course expands the options for active days on vacation.

At City Lake in Dickson's Lakeview Park, an accessible fishing pier and a boat ramp are available. Luther Lake is a 14-acre artificial lake that is popular for fishing and wildlife observation. Ruskin Cave has a natural water basin. Visitors can request a tour of The Ruskin via a contact form. Excursions for school groups can also be arranged at Lonesome Historic Site.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a vacation rental or holiday home in Dickson County, it is worthwhile to decide in advance what you would like to focus on. Those particularly interested in history can center their trip around museums, historic sites and Old Spencer Mill. For days filled with activity, the trails at Henslee Park, Montgomery Bell State Park or the opportunities by the water provide useful points of reference. Families can alternate cultural exhibitions, unusual museum experiences and outdoor activities without limiting the trip to just one type of vacation. You can also visit the page for Dickson. For further comparison, Gibson, Bedford County, Henderson County, Williamson, Lawrence County, Haywood County and Mcnairy County are also available.

For the overarching travel overview: Tennessee.