Near Cumberland City in Houston County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Wells Creek Basin

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 6, 2020

1. The Wells Creek Basin Marker

Inscription.
Between 100 and 200 millions of years ago, a meteor near 1,000 feet in diameter, weighing in excess of 100 million tons and traveling more than 10 miles per second, struck the earth at this location with a shattering impact. Scientists believe it penetrated about 2000 feet before exploding. Shock waves raced in all directions, and a fiery, mushroom cloud of fine rock dust and debris rose high in the air. The impact created a crater about four miles in diameter and one- half mile in depth.

Scientists believed the earth's surface appeared to be damaged forever. Millions of years passed and erosion and vegetation softened this ugly scar left by the impact. The rim of shattered rock disappeared, and the level of adjoining land was lowered hundreds of feet by erosion. Since its discovery, geologists have studied this phenomenon. It was discovered about 1860 when railroad construction revealed rock formations that suggested a violent event had occurred. This marker is located close to the center of the impact.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3E 20.)

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 36° 21.668′ N, 87° 39.413′ W. Marker is near Cumberland City, Tennessee, in Houston County. It is on Cumberland City Highway (State Highway 149) 0.3 miles south of Kizer Ridge Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in front of the Highland Rim Headstart facility. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3215 Cumberland City Highway, Erin TN 37061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 6, 2020

2. The Wells Creek Basin Marker

of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lyon's Raid (approx. 2.3 miles away); Francis C. Green Sgt. (approx. 3.6 miles away); Dedicated to All Veterans of Houston County (approx. 3.6 miles away); Houston County Time Capsule (approx. 3.6 miles away); Erin United Methodist Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); L&N Railroad Turntable (approx. 3.6 miles away); Eighty Eight Steps to Knowledge (approx. 4 miles away); The Quarry Lime Kiln (approx. 4.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Wells Creek Crater on Tennessee Landforms. Contains scientific information and links to maps of the crater. (Submitted on September 8, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 6, 2020

3. The Wells Creek Basin Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,241 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.