The Story of Bumpus Cove

Tucked away in the heart of Tennessee, partially nestled in Unicoi and Washington Counties, lies the unincorporated community of Bumpus Cove. This picturesque valley, situated between Embreeville Mountain to the west and Rich Mountain to the east, has a rich history dating back to the earliest inhabitants of the region – the Cherokee Indians.

The Cherokee prized Bumpus Cove for its abundant minerals, including iron ore, yellow limonite and rich, red hematite. These resources enabled them to craft vibrant, eye-catching adornments, earning them the reputation as the brightest tribe along the Nolichucky River.

Following the Trail of Tears, which forcibly displaced 60,000 American Indians, including the Cherokee, from East Tennessee, Bumpus Cove's mineral wealth attracted investors. Visionaries like William Chester, Elihu and Elijah Embree and Robert, John and William Blair established the Pleasant Valley Iron Works, which became Tennessee's largest iron producer.

With the onset of the Civil War, the Confederacy relied heavily on Bumpus Cove's iron for their cannons and ammunition. What became known as The Confederate Iron Works played a crucial role in the East Tennessee Campaign. To support the war effort, men could enlist to serve by working in the iron works rather than fighting on the front lines.

After the war, many of these workers settled in Bumpus Cove, raising their families while continuing to mine iron and zinc. Elaborate plans were laid out to establish a town at Bumpus Cove, however, the financial panic of 1893 halted the furnace operations, dashing plans to establish a formal community.

Instead, Bumpus Cove evolved into a little secluded haven, passed down through generations. Families have enjoyed simple lives along the Nolichucky River, surrounded by natural beauty and rich history. For the last century and a half these families have passed their little piece of heaven from one generation to the next. And then Tragedy struck.

On September 22, 2024, Tropical Storm Helene formed in the western Caribbean. By September 25, it had strengthened into a hurricane, with 140 mph winds, making landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on September 26. As Helene moved northward, it stalled over Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, causing catastrophic flooding in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s estimated that over 30 inches of rain and millions of gallons of water cascaded down the mountains into crevices and valley’s that flooded rivers and streams. The result was massive flooding and devastation that this region had no way to prepare for.

Erwin, Tennessee, was severely impacted, with homes destroyed, businesses ruined, and lives lost. Bumpus Cove, the most affected community in Unicoi County, was left devastated. Generational families lost everything, leaving them without homes or a clear future.