Birmingham KY Archives - Four Rivers Explorer

In this scan from the Paducah Sun on March 12, 1961, the remants of the old Birmingham School can be seen, exposed when Kentucky Lake was dropped 12 feet.

Low Lake Levels in March 1961 Expose Birmingham, Kentucky

Post published:September 24, 2020
Post category:Postscripts
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Heavy rains across the Tennessee Valley in March 1961 prompted the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to lower the level of Kentucky Lake. TVA believed it was necessary to make extra…

The map shows a drug store, livery, mill, and other stores in town.

Detailed 1933 Map of Birmingham, KY

Post published:September 8, 2020
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This map from the Kentucky Department of Highways shows land owners and businesses on the main road in Birmingham, Ky.

A screen-grab showing four layers of maps centered on Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

Old Maps Overlaying Today’s Reveal Big Changes

Post published:September 11, 2018
Post category:Terts & Quats The Map Room
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The United States Geological Survey has a great online mapping feature that is quite addicting and can suck you in for a while.

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Birmingham, Kentucky

Post published:September 21, 2015
Post category:Abandoned Old Towns & Villages

Overview of Birmingham, Ky.

Birmingham, Kentucky was the most notable community affected by the creation of Kentucky Lake. The town of several hundred people was situated on the banks of the Tennessee River in Marshall County, Kentucky.

For reasons not known to us, the town didn’t relocate in the early 1940s when TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) built a dam on the Tennessee River. The town was flooded permanently under several feet of water.

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