TCPC Early History
The Tennessee Unit
of the WBCCI began its search for a campsite in 1967. In 1972 Ben Houser, Al Terrell and Boyd Reynolds found 376 acres
high on the Cumberland Plateau. These former logging parcels belonged to the Southwest Investment Company. The
land was purchased for $58,000.
A well-attended membership meeting was held at the temporary campground
site on August 26, 1972, whereby Ben Houser named various work committees and outlined their respective duties and responsibilities
in order of priority.
With enthusiasm running high, Ben Houser organized a series of work sessions
beginning November 3, 1972, and continuing well into snowy December, 1973. Laughter, handshaking and hugs welcomed the
arrival of the first trailers.
While the men surveyed, cut brush, and ran percolation tests, the wives
were back at the camp cutting and burning brush, raking leaves and preparing pot luck suppers and homemade pies. Some
of the best memories of the early years occurred at these pot luck suppers.
From: "How It All Came About: The Tennessee
Cumberland Plateau Campground" by Howard & Agness Russell
