Posted May 23, 2002
Revised May 27, 2003

While exploring the Houston County Railroad Bridge, we noticed about three-quarters of a mile to the south this building in the middle of the lake.  We thought that it was something you just don't see everyday, so we took some photos and decided to do some research.  First off, we should tell you that the photos were taken when the lake was slightly above winter pool, or at 355 elevation.  Secondly, "they" didn't miss it.  TVA left it there!

The community of Danville was a crossroads for the Tennessee River and the L&N Railroad.  Traffic from the river and rail traffic were working together more than ever when a transfer elevator was constructed there in 1918.  This concrete elevator reinforced with steel allowed the transfer of peanuts, cotton, iron, limestone, and grain from the river to the rails.

The building was in operation for over 20 years until 1941.  Kentucky Lake was created from the Tennessee River which flooded the Danville area and the transfer station.  TVA decided to leave the transfer elevator there as a navigational marker on Kentucky Lake.

Now, in 2003, 85 years after it was built, the transfer elevator remains - in the middle of Kentucky Lake.

This photo, shot on April 26, 2003 from the west abandoned railroad levee with the lake elevation at normal summer pool, shows the bottom floor nearly submerged.  If you look closely, you can see a boat docked on the right (not recommended).

A zoomed in shot from about 300 yards away from the same location shows a person fishing out of this building (again, not recommended).  Graffiti is also present on the 85-year-old building.

This photo was taken at the abandoned (and half-missing) railroad bridge on the other side of the Tennessee River channel.  It was taken on April 8, 2002, with the lake elevation at winter pool.

From the abandoned railroad bridge, this picture shows that when we say this old building is in the middle of the lake, we ain't lying!