Tennessee & Cumberland River Railroad Archives

The Bear Spring Furnace is the centerpiece of the community, seen here several years ago.

Bear Spring, Tennessee

Post published:December 7, 2021
Post category:Old Towns & Villages
Post comments:2 Comments

A few black bears once roamed Stewart County, Tennessee, around the time American settlers were coming into the area. Local folklore says one of those early pioneering families settled near…

The abandoned stack is all that remains of the Bear Spring Furnace, built around 150 years ago.

Bear Spring Furnace

Post published:December 7, 2021
Post category:Abandoned
Post comments:1 Comment

Men from Nashville with a background in banking and merchandising found Stewart County, Tennessee to be rich in brown hematite and timber. Joseph Woods, Robert Woods and Thomas Yeatman formed…

A map from the early 20th century showing the Tennessee & Cumberland Railroad spur to Bear Spring.

Tennessee & Cumberland River Railroad

Post published:December 7, 2021
Post category:Lost Roads & Railroads
Post comments:2 Comments

When traveling Highway 49 in Stewart County between Bear Spring and Tennessee Ridge, you might not realize that you’re traveling on an old railroad bed.Iron production became an important industry…