For those who like TVA history, mid-20th century architecture, or casual recreation in or alongside water, then the area around Norris Dam just north of Knoxville might be appealing.
If you happen to like all of those topics or activities, then the place – located about five miles off the Exit 122 ramp of Interstate 75 - will be even more fun to visit.
Norris Dam is unique in that it was the first dam in the TVA system. Completed in 1936 and named for early TVA sponsor Sen. George Norris of Nebraska, it also does not feature a lock, as does Chickamauga Dam, which opened in 1940.
Also, unlike Chickamauga Dam, the area is not flat immediately around the river. In fact, Clinch River in that area had come down out of the hills, so Norris Lake on one side of the dam is much higher than the river on the other side.
One can stand and see this sharp contrast from an elevated observation point on the west side.
Looking at the height of the dam can be a scary-but-thrilling sight.
One connection Norris Dam does have to Chickamauga Dam is that Hungarian-born architect Roland Wank designed both.
At Norris Dam, he reshaped the engineers’ original drawings – much to their dismay.
But the building does have that classic 1930s’ look. Part of the dam that juts up in view of the automobiles that pass over it has the word “Norris” written in an art deco metallic style.
A powerhouse is also at the base of the dam, and Mr. Wank had designed it to be open to the public.
On the elevated east side is a circa 1960s visitors center built in the modernist style right down to all the glass and small tile that make up the building’s sides.
Competing with the architecture for an onlooker’s attention is the nice natural setting. Some rustic cabins and picnic areas sit just above the visitors center in an elevated and wooded area.
A marina and areas for boating are on the Norris Lake side of the dam.
Much of the whole area is part of the Norris Dam State Park.
Down hill and down river a few hundred yards from the cabins and visitors center is a nice and aesthetically pleasing greenway trail that goes alongside the unchanged part of the Clinch River.
Trees, butterflies and a hummingbird were among the aspects of nature enjoyed during a recent visit.
Near the trail are some historic structures – including an old gristmill and threshing barn -- moved from elsewhere as a result of TVA flooding over the years.
The Lenoir Museum of mountain artifacts is also here.
A short distance away is the town of Norris, a planned community of homes and buildings built by TVA for dam workers beginning in the 1930s.
One can really go back in time in the area around Norris Dam.
Actually, one can go back to several periods – the frontier days, the early days of TVA or the time when modernist architecture was briefly popular.
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