Old-timey pageants, a chained rock, and a city built inside a crater: Lore galore in Bell County

In the mountains of Bell County, Kentucky’s borders meet Tennessee and Virginia at the Cumberland Gap, the “first great gateway to the west.” Natural wonders abound in this rugged region. Take your pick from 85 miles of trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness within the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, where Native Americans, pioneers, and animals once crossed the Appalachian Mountains. Treat yourself to breathtaking views and stand in three states at once on Tri-State Peak.

After a long day of hiking, get some rest and relaxation at Kentucky’s first state park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, which was founded in 1924. Pick from a cozy lodge room, a one-bedroom cabin, or a spacious two-bedroom cottage. There’s so much to do within the resort that you could fill an entire weekend without ever leaving. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool, grill out or dine in at the Mountain View Restaurant, take the kids to the putt putt course, or hit the links at the nationally ranked Wasioto Winds 18-hole golf course. Connect with nature on 12 miles of self-guided trails with awe-inspiring destinations like Honeymoon Falls, the Hemlock Garden, and Chained Rock.

MEMBER DISCOUNT: Show your Kentucky Farm Bureau membership card at time of registration to receive 10% off the regular rate of a lodge or cottage at any Kentucky State Park.

Speaking of Chained Rock, this popular location has long been the subject of mountain folklore. From the quaint town of Pineville, Kentucky, look up and you'll be greeted by an unusual sight—a foreboding rock seemingly held in place by a single chain. More than a century ago, story has it that children living in the narrow valley beneath the ominous rock worried it would break free while they were sleeping and squash their homes. Parents quelled the little ones' concerns with a white lie: They told the children the rock was safely anchored to the cliff by a chain. In the early 1930s, seeking an opportunity to promote the small town through publicity, citizens formed the Chained Rock Club and took the tale from myth to reality. They obtained an obsolete steam shovel chain and leveraged mules and human muscle to heave the enormous, 1.5-ton hunk of metal up the mountainside. On June 24, 1933, the job was complete, and the 100-foot span from rock to ridge was forever affixed with an actual chain. It still stands solid today.

COMING SOON: Boone’s Ridge, a new wildlife-focused tourism center, is on the horizon for 2026! The facility is currently under construction and is slated to include an aerial gondola, a zoo, bird observatories, a butterfly house, a bison enclosure, hiking trails, and more.

Another interesting fact about Bell County is that the town of Middlesboro is built entirely within a meteorite impact crater. This valley town is home to The Coal House, which was crafted out of 42 tons of bituminous coal in 1926 as a tourist attraction. It is now the Bell County Chamber of Commerce.

The inventor of resistive touch screen technology, Dr. George Samual Hurst, was born and raised in the small town of Ponza in Bell County. His contributions to society are still used every day on items like ATMs and sales kiosks.  Another Bell County great is Greg Page, who got his start as a standout football player at Middlesboro High School. Page was a pivotal figure in SEC football history as one of the first African American players to sign with the University of Kentucky in 1966. Middlesboro was also home to early ragtime pioneer Ben Harney, who made ragtime tunes there in the 1890s. Local music is celebrated at the Magic City Ragtime and Jazz Festival, as well as the Laurel Cove Music Festival in nearby Pineville.   

Much of the area is deeply rooted in tradition. Every Memorial Day weekend, travel back in time at the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. The hallmark feature of this festival is the pageant, an old-time tradition where college-aged contestants elegantly curtsy to the governor as they vie for the title of queen and a handmade crown of mountain laurel. This four-day celebration is the longest running festival in Kentucky, and it culminates with the Grand March, a 93-year-old tradition of couples dancing.

Peek into bygone days at Hensley Settlement, a pioneer-era mountaintop settlement that was once home to more than 200 residents. Several buildings can still be toured, including a blacksmith shop, school building, and the original springhouse. The Middlesboro Country Club is the oldest continuously played nine-hole golf course in the U.S. People have been swinging clubs there since 1889! History buffs can learn more about the county’s storied past at the Bell County Historical Society, located in a former Carnegie Library location. The passionate staff has curated an exquisite collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents to showcase the region’s rich past.

Of course, there’s nothing like hitting the local eateries in Kentucky’s small towns. In Pineville, check out Engle’s for classic American eats or Riverside Market and Grill to enjoy the view from their deck overlooking the Cumberland River. In historic downtown Middlesboro, order a hearty steak at Shades Café and Steakhouse, get your caffeine fix at Cosmic Café or Crater City Coffee, or swing in for a convenient lunch served right to your car at Conley’s Drive-In.

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For your convenience, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance has insurance agents located in Bell County. Click here for more information.

The 120 is a blog series produced by Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance highlighting each of Kentucky's 120 counties—because we're well-known for knowing Kentucky well.