Bellevue in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Hidden Lake
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 1, 2024
1. Hidden Lake Marker
Inscription.
Hidden Lake is a small area but its history and experiences run miles deep. The lake itself began its life as a limestone quarry until it flooded and was abandoned. Though the lake is next to the Harpeth River, it is tucked away between two bluffs, essentially hiding the lake from view. Because of its location, it soon became known as the Hidden Lake. By 1928 the lake became home to a popular resort known for its high quality swimming water, water slide, and music venue. Many popular bands of the Big Band era played here. The Hidden Lake was soon again abandoned and left to memory while nature reclaimed what originally belonged to it. Today, the Hidden Lake and its surroundings are protected as part of Harpeth River State Park. The unique ecosystems of the lake, the remnants of our own cultural past, and the amazing example of nature forming to the scars of industry are now preserved and protected for all future generations. , "...Tis hid beneath the veal of night, , Like the still lake within the woods: , Only that trembling dewy light , Tolls where the unseen wonder broods." - Nashville Union and American, May 19, 1872
Hidden Lake is a small area but its history and experiences run miles deep. The lake itself began its life as a limestone quarry until it flooded and was abandoned. Though the lake is next to the Harpeth River, it is tucked away between two bluffs, essentially hiding the lake from view. Because of its location, it soon became known as the Hidden Lake. By 1928 the lake became home to a popular resort known for its high quality swimming water, water slide, and music venue. Many popular bands of the Big Band era played here. The Hidden Lake was soon again abandoned and left to memory while nature reclaimed what originally belonged to it. Today, the Hidden Lake and its surroundings are protected as part of Harpeth River State Park. The unique ecosystems of the lake, the remnants of our own cultural past, and the amazing example of nature forming to the scars of industry are now preserved and protected for all future generations.
"...Tis hid beneath the veal of night, Like the still lake within the woods: Only that trembling dewy light Tolls where the unseen wonder broods." - Nashville Union and American, May 19, 1872
36° 5.275′ N, 87° 1.479′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Bellevue. It is on McCrory Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7851 McCrory Ln, Nashville TN 37221, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee. 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.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 1, 2024
2. Hidden Lake Marker
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 1, 2024
3. Ruins of the Newsom Crushed Stone and Quarry Company found on within the park
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 1, 2024
4. The dance floor atop the ridge trail within the park
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 1, 2024
5. An abandoned rail car used by the Newsom Crushed Stone and Quarry Company. Car can be found on trail
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 847 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 1, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
