Welcome to the town of Butler, Tennessee. Now we know what you’re thinking, “Ingles Open Road, I think the gorgeous scenery has gone to your head because… you’re starting the show in the middle of a great big lake.” Well, there is a town and the lake is right on top of it. To quote the lyrics of the song by Old Crow Medicine Show, it’s about a half mile down.

This is Lake Watauga. And up until 1948 it was the Watauga River… well technically it still is. But that’s when the Tennessee Valley Authority completed construction of the Watauga Dam. And in so doing, the only incorporated town to ever find its way to the bottom of a TVA lake was permanently submerged by the river that flooded its streets so many times before.

But Butler was to become famous – known as the town that wouldn’t drown. You see, 650 families called Butler home. It had a drug store, grocery store, hardware store, gas stations, restaurants, schools, and the town moved, kind of.

Here at the Museum of Butler Tennessee you can learn the whole fascinating story. As the impending impoundment drew near, 200 acres of farmland were secured along the future banks of the soon-to-be lake, and 175 buildings were moved.

Now we won’t speak for you but to us… moving is a pain. And that’s just one household – can you imagine moving a town?! Well, as you can expect, not everything made it.

Some of the old structures are still down there. But the story lives on. The museum does a great job of helping to share the culture and heritage of this town that wouldn’t drown.

Today, the town is still alive, capitalizing on the beauty of the surrounding area, and even the lake itself.

We stopped by the Cove Ridge Marina and Resort where you can rent a variety of watercraft to get out and explore this stunning mountain lake – reflecting on its serene beauty and deep, deep history.