Explore Tennessee’s White Lightening Trail

Nicknamed Thunder Road because bootleggers once roared along it in their hot rods, this one-time moonshine running route just east of Knoxville is also the birthplace of stock car racing. Today the bootleggers are gone, and this Northeastern Tennessee route is now aptly named the White Lightening Trail. The 200-mile route begins and ends in Knoxville and features historic towns, a slice or two of Appalachian history and some absolutely gorgeous scenery. And although access varies along the route, many of the stops along the way are doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Main Street USA

Although you can drive this circle route in either direction, if you head east on Highway 25W the first stop in Dandridge is about 30 miles away. Dandridge is a historic small town, and as such there are a few bumps in the sidewalks, but for the most part the pavement is level and there are curb-cuts at most corners. Be sure and stop at the Visitors Center on Main Street to pick up a town map that points out the historic buildings.

There’s also a revolutionary cemetery across the street from the Visitor Center, and although there are six steps up to it, you can still get a pretty good view from the sidewalk. Be sure and stop in at Tinsley Bible Drug (www.tinsleybibledrugs.com) for a look at their old lunch counter. And although there’s no shortage of places to chow down along the White Lightening Trail, you just can’t beat the daily lunch specials at this stop. Alternatively, if you don’t have time for lunch, you can always have a scoop or two of ice cream. Even if you don’t partake, it’s still worth a look inside, as it’s a classic blast from the past.

Beans and More

Once you leave Dandridge head south on Highway 92, then go east on Highway 411. Soon you’ll come upon Bush’s Visitor Center (www.bushbeans.com/en_US), which is a fun stop. Bush’s Beans was originally opened as a tomato cannery in 1904 by A.J. Bush, and it slowly morphed into the baked bean giant. Today the brand is synonymous with cookouts, campfires and home-style meals.

There’s plenty of accessible parking in the large lot, with ramped access to the general store and museum. The exhibits inside take you on a virtual tour through the canning plant, and you’ll learn a few fun facts about beans and the company. And at the end, you can get your photo taken with owner Jay Bush and his dog Duke.

Don’t miss Bush’s Family Café, which is located next door to the general store. There is good pathway access inside the restaurant, which serves up everything from hamburgers to ham dinners, with more bean choices than you can ever imagine. And don’t forget to try the pinto bean pecan pie – it’s delicious.

Enjoy the Scenery

After you’ve had your fill of beans, continue east on highway 411, and then follow Highway 25E (also known as the Cumberland Gap Parkway) to the Kentucky border, where you’ll find Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (www.nps.gov/cuga/). Long used by Native Americans, this natural passage through the Cumberland Mountains was widened by Daniel Boone and a team of loggers, and later used by pioneers who explored western Kentucky and Tennessee.

Accessible parking is located outside the Visitor Center with level access to the entrance. Inside there’s a museum, a theater and accessible restrooms on the first floor. After you’ve watched the movie and browsed through the interpretive exhibits, pick up a park map and head out to Pinnacle Overlook. It’s just a short drive, and you’ll be able to see Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee from the viewpoint. And although the view is beautiful, the drive to and from the park is equally scenic.

A Taste of Appalachia

After you’ve enjoyed the Cumberland Gap scenery, backtrack south on the Cumberland Gap Parkway and then head west on Highway 63W. At Caryville take Highway 116 south to Highway 441 and make a stop in Norris. The big attraction in this little berg is the impressive Museum of Appalachia (www.museumofappalachia.org), which is known for depicting an authentic replica of Appalachian pioneer life.

Accessible parking is available in front of the museum, with ramped access to the gift shop. Accessible restrooms are also available in this building. Some buildings on the museum grounds have level access, while others have one or two steps at the entrance. The good news is, many of the inaccessible buildings are small, so it’s easy to take a peek inside of them.

There’s level access to the Appalachian Hall of Fame which is filled with historic photos and artifacts, and a large collection of Cherokee baskets, pottery and arrowheads. “What better way to know a people than to study the everyday objects they made with their own hands?”, reads the sign above the exhibit. Outside, there is level access to an old jail cell and the adjacent barn room, which is filled with old farming implements.

The rest of the complex is dotted with old farm houses and cottages, with costumed docents on hand to demonstrate crafts and old time daily living skills. Many of the paths are level and easily accessible. And don’t forget to stop by the restaurant before you leave, as it offers some tasty daily specials as well as home made desserts.

A Tasty Finale

And although there’s certainly no shortage of nibbles along the White Lightening Trail, take Highway 61W eight miles to Clinton for the grand finale at Hoskins Drug Store & Soda Fountain (hoskinsdrugstoreandsodafountain.com).

Established in 1930 to serve the Tennessee Valley Authority and textile mill workers, this store was the first of what grew to be an eight-store chain. It still retains much of its old time flavor, and includes a small lunch counter and a soda fountain. There’s accessible street parking available on Main Street, with level access to the drug store. Inside there’s plenty of room to roll around between the aisles. There is counter and booth seating in the restaurant, and there’s room enough to sit at the end of the booth if you can’t transfer.

Although there are a good number of lunch selections on the menu, the best thing to get at Hoskins Drug Store is a good old fashioned milkshake. Just sit back, slurp down the delicious concoction and take a short trip back to yesteryear. Then, pack up your memories and head back to civilization in downtown Knoxville. Although you can take the interstate back, the last part of the White Lightening Trail takes the backroads through Maynardville, Luttrell and Halls Crossroads, before it returns to Knoxville. It’s a fitting way to wrap up this scenic and historic road trip.