Calvery City, Kentucky
Calvert City, KY is a prime destination on the Tennessee RiverLine given its proximity to incredible outdoor recreation experiences. It has long been a proud landing spot for fishing and hiking enthusiasts, and between Kentucky Dam Village State Park and other local amenities, it’s not hard to set up adventures at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Visit Calvert City!
Calvert City History
The land Calvert City sits on was occupied by the Chickasaw Nation until 1818 when the tribe ceded the land to the United States government for debts they were somewhat swindled into accruing through an unbalanced trading system.
Haydock’s Ferry was established in 1836 and brought attention and economic stimulation to the area, including its first general store. During the Civil War, Union soldiers staying at Haydock’s Ferry fought off Confederate soldiers and saved the settlement that became Calvert City from burning to the ground in 1864.
The region saw steady growth and was granted a shipping station on the railroad shortly before becoming incorporated in 1871. The town grew and developed over the next 50 years, maintaining an old-fashioned small rivertown feel until it leapt into the future in the late 1930s.
The 1930s in Calvert City were defined by similar hardships as the rest of the nation–heavy financial strain and unemployment took a toll on its residents. A 1937 flood drowned the city in rainwater for 19 straight days, but its residents would come together and force a positive change out of the disaster.
In 1938, Calvert City residents led by Luther Draffen, president of the Lower Tennessee Valley Association who built boats in his garage with volunteers throughout the flood, finally won the battle and secured $2.6+ million in federal funding for what would become Kentucky Dam.
The Lower Tennessee Valley Association’s history is overshadowed by TVA’s generation-defining work, but the efforts of Draffen and the roughly 40 business leaders that made up the organization to “bring prosperity to the region” should not be forgotten. Draffen is remembered favorably, and one of his closest companions remembers him assembling members of Congress and TVA and drawing plans for a hydroelectric dam in the dirt overlooking the spot where Kentucky Dam was eventually built.
The over 250 sq. mile Kentucky Lake was formed thanks to the dam, and the tourists it attracts have a massive impact on the local economy.
Attractions
Calvert City is great for people who are looking for outdoor adventures and an escape from the speed and noise of everyday life. Its position right on Kentucky Lake makes it feel serene, yet those who explore the town find it brimming with activities.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park is a large, all-encompassing modular experience in Calvert City, offering a variety of lodgings, as well as multi-use paths, docks, watercraft rentals, a public sandy beach, and more.
Golf is another popular activity at the park, as it proudly offers an 18-hole course on the premises. Calvert City Golf & Country Club is another impressive 18-hole round just up the road. Other notable ways to relax at Kentucky Dam Village include birding, swimming, and fishing.
Fishing is likely the most recognized and celebrated recreational activity in Calvert City, and sitting right on “The Great Lake of the South” it’s easy to see why. It is recognized worldwide as a great place to fish largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, redear, and yellow and white bass. Fishing guides provide seasonal updates on the lake’s website, and a dedicated team of scientists and wildlife managers work year-round on providing the best possible experience for both the natural world and the sportsman.
For those who don’t consider themselves experts and would like a fishing buddy, there are tons of guides for Kentucky Lake fishing based out of Calvert City who are always ready for an angling voyage.
From April through September, a signature attraction in the area opens up in the form of Calvert Drive-In Theater. With affordable prices and food that is loved by locals, this historic and novel experience provides an opportunity to “see the stars, under the stars.”
Multi-use trails are all over Calvert City, offering ways to escape and experience the lush wooded areas and serenity of the area. The Calvert City Greenway includes several trails through town and around the lake, and it’s backed with an ambitious plan to connect Calvert City with other locales via greenway in coming years. Of course, nearby Land Between the Lakes offers countless trails, including a 58-mile point-to-point trail spanning the entire refuge.
Calvert City is also known for its comfort food from family-oriented restaurants, including several award-winning barbecue meat & threes, Italian and Greek restaurants, and homestyle southern comfort food.
Calvert City, KY offers an excellent getaway and an exemplary Tennessee RiverLine experience. Between its homestyle and barbecue cuisine, old-school opportunities for fun, and of course miles of outdoor recreation opportunities along the river, Calvert City is a great place to take the family for a peaceful getaway on the water.