Most People Have No Idea There’s An Underwater Ghost Town Hiding In Kentucky

Whether you enjoy sport fishing, kayaking, swimming, or hiking the most, you've probably spent quite a bit of time in the Land Between the Lakes region and Kentucky Lake in particular. But did you know Kentucky Lake is hiding a secret? Several towns once existed in that very spot. The largest of which was known as Birmingham, Kentucky back in the 1800s. The area that once flourished as a community is now an underwater ghost town in Kentucky.

Birmingham was a happening little community.

In 1844, it was home to more than 322 people, which was a larger population than the county seat of Benton.

America’s favorite pastime had a home here.

Birmingham was Marshall County's first Baseball team.

In 1894...

The community was said to have two schools, two hotels, two wagons, and blacksmith shops, five churches, four dry goods, and general stores, three grocers, a drug store, and two shops. They likely resembled the store shown, but no actual images were available.

In the 1920s…

Birmingham was renowned in the area for shipping poultry, hickory nuts, and rabbits to cities further north. They also did well in the mussel trade, but the product was sent to Metropolis, IL for processing. The population of the community was over 900 during this decade.

In 1938...

The TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) told the community of Bermingham they had to find a new home. A dam was then built in Gilbertville, and the TVA flooded the area in the 1940s to create Kentucky Lake. The cemetery pictured is at a different location but contains residents from Birmingham.

Can you still see Birmingham?

Locals will tell you, when Kentucky Lake is low, the streets of some foundations of Birmingham are still visible. Birmingham Point is the most likely spot to see remnants of the community, though you may not be able to tell exactly what is what.

Kentucky Lake is beautiful.

This is a beautiful spot to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It is sad that a community had to disappear to create such a serene spot in our state. The water sports, fishing, and activities that happen here overshadow the loss of the town for most.

The realization that this lake is actually an underwater ghost town in Kentucky can come as quite a surprise. Most people don’t realize that this gorgeous lake was once a collection of thriving communities. Birmingham, Kentucky may be gone, but its stories still remain. And its memory still flourishes beneath the calm waters of Kentucky Lake.

Birmingham, KY isn't the only town with a unique story. You can read more about some of Kentucky’s ghost towns in this article.