Near Middlesboro in Bell County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Pinnacle Overlook

— Cumberland Gap National Historical Park —

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 13, 2022

1. Pinnacle Overlook Marker

Inscription. We started just as the sun began to gild the tops of the high mountains. We ascended Cumberland Mountain, from the top of which the bright luminary of day appeared to our view in all his rising glory; the mists dispersed and the floating clouds hasted away at his appearing. This is the famous Cumberland Gap... Journal of James Smith, 1792

(captions)
Skyland Highway first opened to sightseers in 1929.
Travelers have enjoyed the views you will see from this mountain peak for hundreds of years.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 36° 36.377′ N, 83° 40.04′ W. Marker is near Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Bell County. It can be reached from Pinnacle View Road 2½ miles east of Old Wilderness Road (Kentucky Route 988), in the median. Marker is located at the Pinnacle Overlook Parking Lot in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middlesboro KY 40965, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Eastern Kentucky and in the Cumberland Plateau.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gateway to Kaintuck (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Pinnacle Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Gateway to Kaintuck (within shouting distance of this marker); Boundaries Settled (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line in Virginia); Generations Have Enjoyed this View (about 300 feet away in Virginia); "This American Gibraltar" (about 400 feet away); Top Guns (about 400 feet away); Gap Cave (approx. ¼ mile away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middlesboro.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Maze of Mountains (was about 400

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 13, 2022

2. Pinnacle Overlook Marker

feet away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing); Powell's Valley (was about 400 feet away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing); Named for a British Lord (was about 400 feet away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing); Waiting for the Battle that Never Came (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. National Park Service (Submitted on August 30, 2022.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 13, 2022

3. Pinnacle Overlook Marker

Cumberland Gap, TN viewed from the Pinnacle. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 13, 2022

4. Cumberland Gap, TN viewed from the Pinnacle.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 438 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.