Bethel in Cheatham County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Cheatham Lock and Dam
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 4, 2026
1. The Cheatham Lock and Dam Marker
Flood control became a new federal responsibility after floods along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in the 1930s caused major loss of life and sever property damage. The governmnet began building large dams during a period known as the "Great Dam Era." The dams tamed rivers, created jobs, and brought electricity to rural areas throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. After World War II, dam construction projects helped lift the region out of war time economy and rebuild confidence.
Completed between 1950 and 1960; Cheatham Lock and Dam was built after the passing of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1946. Cheatham Lock and Dam is one of ten multi-purpose dams on the Cumberland River and tributaries built to store and regulate water and generate hydroelectric power. Cheatham Dam was built with large spillways to pass excess water and served as one of only four dams that included a lock to pass vessels between higher and lower water.
The lock system was operated out of the Lock Operations Building. The operations building was one of the most important Modernist buildings in the Cumberland River system before it was damaged by floodwaters
this page online
Photo captions:
The Powerhouse and Lock Operations Building were designed after the Art Deco or "Moderne" architecture style. Following World War II, the style was refined as Mid-Twentieth- Century Modernism."
11 million tons of cargo per year lacked [illegible] Cheatham. Coal, sand, petroleum, rock and scrap metal are the most common.
Erected by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 36° 19.539′ N, 87° 13.595′ W. Marker is in Bethel, Tennessee, in Cheatham County. It is on Cheatham Dam Road, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Cheatham Dam Rd, Charlotte TN 37036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee, in the Highland Rim, and in Greater Nashville. 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
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 4, 2026
2. The Cheatham Lock and Dam Marker (to the right side of the photo)
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Operations Underwater (here, next to this marker); Old Neptune School (approx. 2 miles away); Neptune (approx. 3.2 miles away); Clifton Forebears are Buried in Old Church Cemetery to Southeast (approx. 3.9 miles away); Clifton Methodist Church (approx. 3.9 miles away); Harpeth Shoals (approx. 4.3 miles away); Pat Head Summitt (approx. 6 miles away); McAlister's Crossroads (approx. 7.1 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
