Clarksville in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Dunbar Cave: The Resort Years
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, June 4, 2023
1. Dunbar Cave: The Resort Years Marker
Upper Left: Wooden dance floor with seating early 1900's. In the 1880's, grain was spread on the floor for "bran dances", and social activities such as teas and bridge games took place in the cool cave entrance. Sick and invalid persons were brought here for relief from the summer's heat.
Upper Middle: Bandstand to the right with canopy cover. Big Bands played here during the 1930's and 40's. From 1948 to 1966 Roy Acuff owned the cave and presented country music shows from an outdoor stage located just east of the cave, near the present golf course.
Upper Right: The earliest concession stand, built in 1932, had a peaked roof.
Lower Left: Dancing was popular at the cave entrance. Notice the "new" flat concession stand roof in this image.
Lower Middle: View from the bandstand. Lighting allowed for nighttime dances, but high humidity kept calfskin drum heads and guitars from staying in tune.
Lower Right: The concession stand and souvenir shop, where visitors bought food, drinks, postcards and other items to remember their visit.
Erected by Tennessee State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Native American use of the cave entrance (here, next to this marker); Dunbar Cave: a place of abundant life (here, next to this marker); Dunbar Cave Through the Years (a few steps from this marker); Dunbar Cave's Swan Lake (a few steps from this marker); The Dance Floor (a few steps from this marker); Wetland (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roy Acuff (about 700 feet away); 1933 Swimming Pool & Bathhouse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, June 4, 2023
2. Dunbar Cave: The Resort Years Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
