Published: June 19, 2009 02:13 pm      

New book shows images of old lake region

‘Around Lake Cumberland’ a collection of photographs showing life before — and after — the dam

People say time machines don’t exist, but they do — they’re called cameras. Snap a photo of a particular moment in time and save it. Wait years down the road, then take another look at the picture. You find yourself in another place and time, swimming in the texture and flavor of a bygone era.

That’s the feel of “Around Lake Cumberland,” a new book by Pulaski County natives Kris Applegate and Jarenda Miller. Members of the Pulaski County Historical Society, the mother-daughter team put a painstaking effort into crafting a priceless collection of photographs showing how things looked before Wolf Creek Dam formed Lake Cumberland, taking away an entire culture from an era destined to change, yet creating something totally new and wonderful.

You can also look and compare the images of the past to those of the present — or at least those that came after the lake was formed, beginning in 1951. Here now both a source of protection from flooding and the lifeblood of the local economy via tourism — but once upon a time, communities like Burnside enjoyed an importance, with grand hotels and status as a traveling hub, that has been long forgotten by many.

“Throughout our lives, stories about life along the Cumberland River were plentiful,” said Applegate. “We grew up listening to these stories and felt like we knew the people and their experiences. However, many of the folks telling these stories have now passed on. This book is an attempt to collect their stories and keep them alive for future generations.”

Applegate, a stay-at-home mom and author living near Louisville, and Miller, a self-employed author residing in Burnside, contacted Arcadia Publishing in June 2008. The next year was spent putting the book together — it went on sale on June 15 of this year.

“Almost as soon as we were given permission to write the book for Arcadia Publishing, we began asking folks to share their old photographs and stories,” said Applegate. “We made several trips to stops along the river outside of Burnside and Somerset including Burkesville, Jamestown, Creelsboro, and Marrowbone. The venture was very time consuming, consisting of many in-home visits, scanning photographs, sorting through the data, and writing the book.”

The task was challenging, particularly in locating the old photographs, which go back as far as the 19th century, and in obtaining permission to use them. Many of the photos’ original owners have passed on, and that made tracking down their collections and their current owners difficult. Though many individuals were happy to have their prized reminders of the past shared in the book — ”We are so thankful for their generosity,” said Applegate — others were reluctant out of concern that these irreplaceable treasures would be lost or damaged.

“The hardest photographs to obtain were from the lost communities including Rowena, Swan Pond Bottom and Horseshoe Bottom,” said Applegate. “These communities were sacrificed by the building of Wolfe Creek Dam and Lake Cumberland.”

Applegate said the book serves as a reminder of the many sacrifices made by earlier generations in a world that lacks the modern conveniences to which we’ve grown so accustomed.

“Life in the region was difficult to say the least,” said Applegate. “It is our hope this book positively preserves the area’s past for the future generations as well as infuse readers with a love and respect for the area.”

To celebrate this hymn to Lake Cumberland’s antiquity, The authors will have a book signing at the Grider Hill Boat Dock starting at 10 a.m. on July 4. “Around Lake Cumberland” is available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Putting a copy in as many hands as possible indeed functions as a time machine would — to bring the past back to life. As civilization steams ahead, new trends emerge and our lost and history recedes further into the mists, it is clear the authors know the importance of keeping a still small flame alive to illuminate what was in this area’s hearts and minds.

“Unfortunately, many of those who remember the area before Lake Cumberland took their stories with them to the grave,” said Applegate. “It is important to preserve as many of the old stories as possible for future generations. This book provides an opportunity to learn about our ancestors’ contributions to the region. Understanding the past helps offer purpose to our future.”