Logo Old McFarland - 1
Cherokee National Forest, Polk Co., TN
All Text & Images:
Copyright (2021)

Although there were a few settlers here in the early 1800s, the community of McFarland didn't
appear until 1890 when the Old Line Railroad was completed.   A Post Office was established
here in 1895, and the town became a section HQ for the railroad.   Besides the RR workers, it
soon became a hub for the USFS developing the newly created Cherokee National Forest.

The town was mostly abandoned by the time it began its next act, as a major construction
hub for TVA's Apalachia dam and hydroelectric power generation project in the early 1940s.


Old_McFarland
Early overview of the town
Based on the buildings shown, including the two story hotel (visible at upper left), this photo was
taken after the turn of the century but before TVA's construction of the Apalachia Power Project.
(Photo ref. Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association)



McFarland_rock_wall
There is little remaining of this early phase of the town


McFarland_rock_wall
A few moss-covered rock walls and stone-lined terraces...


McFarland_Daylilies
I found day-lilies and yucca indicating some of the old home sites.


McFarland-TVA1
All of the earlier buildings are gone by the time TVA began using
the site as a construction zone for the Apalachia Project in 1941.
(Ref. National Archives Atlanta, TVA, RG-142-(15) Apalachia Project Construction, Photo 15T15)



McFarland-TVA2
Another photo of the same area one year later in 1942.
(Ref. National Archives Atlanta, TVA, RG-142-(15) Apalachia Project Construction, Photo 15T258)



Siding_ties
One of the railroad sidings is still visible, although its rails are long gone.


Old_Ties
The main rail line is still in use; old replaced ties are piled in the woods along the tracks.


McFarland_Cistern
This cistern on a hillside may have been the hotel's water supply


McFarland_Cistern
Moss-covered cistern


McFarland_Cistern
The inside of the cistern is divided by a brick wall...


McFarland_Cistern
One of the entry holes was broken long ago...


McFarland_Cistern



Lwr_Conveyor_Ftgs
Footings for the conveyor belt that traveled from the railroad
siding up to the concrete plant   (seen in earlier 1942 photo).



Mixer_foundation
Massive base of the concrete mixing plant.


Mixer_foundation
Looking like a model for the Greek Parthenon!


McFarland_Concrete_plant
Concrete plant in operation
(Photo ref. TVA - The Hiwassee Valley Projects,Tech Report No. 5, Vol 2
The Apalachia, Ocoee No. 3, Nottely, and Chatuge Projects)



Mixer_foundation
Another view


Mixer_foundation_ceiling
Looking up at "ceiling" of the mixer base


Trillium_cuneatum_yellow
One more view of the concrete mixer base...


Conveyor_Ftgs
Footings from another conveyor
These were from the conveyor shown in the earlier "Concrete plant in operation" photo



Conveyor_Ftgs
Upended footing


Conveyor_Ftgs
Another concrete conveyor footing.


Blower_Ftg
Footings from the Blower building


Blower_Ftgs
More Blower footings


Compressor_Ftgs
Footings from the Compressor building
I identified these structures from an old TVA layout of the McFarland operation...



Compressor_Ftgs
More Compressor footings


McFarland_Adit
Approaching the McFarland Adit
This is one of several access points along the tunnel, used initially to
allow tunnel construction from multiple points, and now for maintenance.



McFarland_Adit
This Adit is particularly scenic, thanks to the flow from the creek.
The view of the upper waterfalls is hidden as one gets closer to the adit.



Wall_above_adit
I need to check out this diverter wall with an arch above the adit...
I had too many other places to explore to climb up there on this visit...



McFarland_Adit
McFarland Adit


Adit_portal
Some moron had busted the lock off the portal door, and it was hanging open...



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