‘Coal’ town celebrates 100th
At its start 100 years ago, the town of Coal Creek was booming — with a barber shop, a jewelry store, a shoe shop, a telephone company and Ford Motor Co., along with five general merchandise stores in nearby Briceville.
The town changed its name to Lake City in 1939, commemorating the formation of nearby Norris Lake, which was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s construction of Norris Dam, which was completed in 1936.
That history, and much more, was recalled during a 100th birthday banquet last Thursday night in the Family Life Center at Main Street Baptist Church.
Longtime pharmacist Carl Dew and former journalist Boomer Winfrey shared stories about growing up and living in Coal Creek and Lake City.
“At one time, Briceville had more people than we did,” Dew said.
“When we lost the hospital and the high school we lost part of our identity,” Dew said of the town’s history.
“There’re a lot of things to be proud of about Lake City,” Winfrey said, including its “colorful” people and their sense of humor.
Former Lady Vol basketball standout Shelly Sexton-Collier, who grew up in Lake City and now coaches basketball at Webb School in Knoxville, said Lake City is “a town I love. It’s a joy and a blessing to have been raised in this small town.
“Lake City is a bunch of people willing to step out on faith and be a team,” Sexton-Collier said.
She said the town’s collective values, character, faith, and work ethic have made “a tremendous impact” on her life, as well as many others.
“There are so many things … you just cannot put a price tag on,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, who represents Tennessee’s Third Congressional District and is a candidate for governor, said Lake City is a town grown out of challenges and adversity.
“Your history has given you character. There is a tremendous heritage here,” Wamp said.
Thursday’s banquet, attended by an estimated 125 citizens, was part of a multi-day celebration of Lake City’s 100th birthday. The party culminated Saturday with the city’s annual Independence Day activities.
Leean Tupper can be contacted at (865) 220-5501.
Source: The Oak Ridger
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