The History of Falls Creek Falls

With major construction begun in 1961, this park is developed on 16,000 acres of land conveyed to the State of Tennesee by the National Park Service and the United Stated Department of the Interior. In 1944 its construction was finalized jointly with State funds appropriated by the General Assembly in 1967 and matching funds from the Economic Development Administration United States Department of Commerce.

Total cost $8,500,000

Falls Creek Falls State Park was dedicated to the pleasure, enjoyment and for the recreation of all the people on July 8, 1972

Judge Taft

This mispelled Monument to "Judge" Taft reads:

James M. Taft was born July 3, 1903, White County, Tennessee. His parents were Thomas M. and Maude Graham Taft. He grew up in the Taft Community near Sparta, Tennessee. He received his elementary and high school deucation in White County, Tennessee. He attend(ed) David Lipscomb College and Middle Tennessee State College. He was married to Aloise Bell Herndon from Mayfield, Kentucky. He served in Wolrd (sic) War II. He is considered the father of Fall Creek Falls State Park. His major achievement was the establishment of Fall Creek Falls State Park. Mr. Taft worked to establish the Public Education(al) System in Van Buren County, Tennessee. He served as Superintendent of School(s) for a number of years in Van Buren County, Tennessee. He was a well-known conservationist. He was known to his friends as "Judge" Taft or "Peckerwood" Taft. He started the charcoal industry in Van Buren County, Tennessee. He died October 12, 1959, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was buried at the Walling Cemetery in Van Buren County, Tennessee which is located near the northern entrance of Fall Creek Falls State Park. He was dedicated to his Country, his Community, and the people which he loved so much.

Fall Creek Falls is south of Crossville and is South-West of Knoxville, TN. The Park is between Pikeville and Spencer and is in Van Buren County, Tenessee.

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