Drive the 25E Cumberland Gap Tunnel and Wilderness Road into the Historical Town of Cumberland Gap

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  • Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
  • A Drive through the 25E Tunnel and into historical Cumberland Gap on the original Wilderness Road while seeing images of a past long ago. Thanks for watching. SUBSCRIBE:: LIKE AND SHARE:: HELP GROW YOUR CHANNEL "DON'T MISS THE ADVENTURES SUBSCRIBE"

КОМЕНТАРІ • 154

  • @starchief5
    @starchief5 3 роки тому +33

    They never should have removed the old 25E through there that we all remember. They should have kept it as a scenic drive for tourists. They should have kept the Cudjo store as a place to sell locally made souvenirs. A reduced speed limit and most of the through traffic bypassing it would have made it a relatively safe drive.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +3

      I agree completely my friend. Thanks for sharing.

    • @braveheartz263
      @braveheartz263 3 роки тому +2

      One of the best photos of my mom and dad was located at the Cudjo Store. I miss them.

    • @cowboykelly6590
      @cowboykelly6590 2 роки тому

      Most DEFINITELY

    • @wannachase
      @wannachase 2 роки тому +3

      My best memories are from the Cudjo cave and the Pinnacle overlook which was really easy from the old US 25E.

  • @Teressa690
    @Teressa690 3 роки тому +14

    I so love this!!!! I went to LMU in the later eighties and frequently went to the Gap and the Pinnacle. Got caught by a train in the tunnel that was built in 1897. A group of us decided to walk through it late at night and we got over halfway and seen a small light, no sound. We realized it was a train, ran as fast as we could and thank goodness we had some of the track team with us, one of them made sure no one was left behind and had to get in a side cubby hole with one of the girls. All was alright, the town cop was waiting on us when we came out. He was just making sure we were alright. Never been so scared, won't walk through another tunnel. The Iron Furnace is amazing as is the Pinnacle. Love this little town. Went in Cudjo Caverns a few times. I suppose they don't do tours there anymore??? Just love this area and all about it.. Thank you for sharing this Laws...

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +6

      Your welcome Teressa. That Tunnel can be a dangerous place. My roots are all in the Gap. Yes you can still go in the cave ,the park still gives tours so i heard. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Thanks for you support Teressa.❤

    • @jwilcox4726
      @jwilcox4726 2 роки тому

      @@donnielaws7020 My roots are all in the Gap, but I have never gotten to go there. Just recently realized I could maybe find the Gap on UA-cam and here it is. This is just wonderful. Thank you so much for showing this beautiful place. It's home to me where my family came from. Before that Scots-Irish, Eastern Tennesee, Ireland the O'Brien clan & Wallace of Scotland. I wonder what is the Iron Furnace and the Pinnacle. I so wish I knew more. Last name of "Hill" was our family name.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому +1

      @@jwilcox4726 Your in luck my friend. I have all you need to know in videos of both places in the Gap and more on the channel videos my friend. Find what you want there, Thank you friend.

  • @LordBransty
    @LordBransty 2 роки тому +6

    A viewer here from Cumberland County in the UK. Whenever I travel through the USA, I always wonder what it must have been like for the early pioneers. It doesn't really get above 75 degrees in summer in the UK, especially in the northern counties, and it rarely dips below freezing either. The temperatures alone must have been a shock to those early brave travellers. I guess many died along the way.
    Fascinating video. Thank you!

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому +5

      Yes my friend a lot of sad stories along this wilderness road.

    • @FixIt1975
      @FixIt1975 2 роки тому +4

      75 degrees in the summer sounds perfect, especially when it's 95 and seems like 900% humidity. I live on a big peninsula in the mid Atlantic. If you are interested in pioneers, I recommend researching the Donner party in northern California. But I must warn you, most of them did not have a happy ending. I also read a fantastic book a few years ago called The Worst Hard Time about the dust bowl of the 1930s

    • @LordBransty
      @LordBransty 2 роки тому +3

      @@FixIt1975 - Thank you very much for that. I shall look into it. It sounds right up my street... or should I say trail! :-)

    • @markwilliams5606
      @markwilliams5606 2 роки тому +2

      My Great Great Grandfather was Rodger Williams. We were from England and Wales. Can never get England out of My heart! Love America 🇺🇸. Live in the Ozarks Missouri. Would have loved to see it back in the day. Adios 🤠🐴🌄

    • @markwilliams5606
      @markwilliams5606 2 роки тому +2

      @@FixIt1975 These were the Greatest Generations! Went through my Family tree. Got as far as 1345 in Wales. Am Free in the Ozarks. Will look into your book!

  • @sondrajoyce8810
    @sondrajoyce8810 3 роки тому +8

    Sure brings back memories......we would drive from Birmingham through Tennessee and Ky to Michigan in the 40's, when the road was a very narrow two-lane highway.....through the mountain area, past old shack homes where naked, barefoot children were playing, and doors wide open. Love history. I'm a decendant of the BOONE family..... Beautiful video, thank you.......

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks Sondra. Thanks for sharing your story and memories. thanks so much my friend.

    • @jwilcox4726
      @jwilcox4726 2 роки тому

      Really, I'm a descendant of WEBSTER family who were great friends with Daniel Boone & Clan. Peace on Earth. Goodwill to every living creature.

  • @johnfrye8452
    @johnfrye8452 3 роки тому +8

    I agree that old 25 should not have been erased by the Park. In some of the early photos of the gap it looks like the mountains were clear cut, is this true or just from being old black and white photos? I live about 30 miles from the gap and can remember going to Cudjos Cave when I was a kid. Thanks for the photos and history of the Gap.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +2

      Your welcome. Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @scottackerman8981
    @scottackerman8981 4 місяці тому +1

    We need a "love" button for Donnie's videos. A thumbs up just isn't enough.

  • @nancydublin3315
    @nancydublin3315 Рік тому +2

    I loved watching this video because my ancestors were part of the people who left Spotsylvania, VA, to travel to Kentucky with Daniel Boone. One of my great uncles (Capt. Billy Bush) was part of Daniel Boone's frontier men. Boone, was in fact, my 1st cousins 8X removed. I learned this info just a few years ago. Ever since then, I've been super curious about the Cumberland Gap and the journey those original trailblazers made. I'm so grateful for seeing the scenery, old roads, and pictures. I agree with the comments below that some of the original places should have been spared. It would have made a GREAT tourist attraction for the state. Thank you to those folks making the film and sharing it with the public. :)

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  Рік тому

      Awesome my friend. Thanks for sharing your story and memories with us. God bless you. Your very welcome.

  • @FixIt1975
    @FixIt1975 2 роки тому +2

    Beautiful. Now I want to take a road trip but as I write this, we just got done cleaning up from a blizzard here. There's 14 inches of snow on the ground here and it's 16 degrees

  • @billysherlin6589
    @billysherlin6589 3 роки тому +3

    I always take 25E to the smokies on my motorcycle. Now gonna have to do some exploring next time!

  • @michaell.9253
    @michaell.9253 2 роки тому +2

    I love, love & love this area. I lived there from 2011 through 2013 (Speedwell, TN). As long as I live, always will be in my mind. Very good memories!!!

  • @jacquelinehopper7277
    @jacquelinehopper7277 3 роки тому +4

    I am crying because you have done such a terrific video of the Gap. I miss my Granny & Grandad who lived there. My Dad was raised there. Sure wish I could talk with you....

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому

      Sorry to hear that my friend.

    • @jacquelinehopper7277
      @jacquelinehopper7277 3 роки тому +3

      @@donnielaws7020 The picture of the white building (at 5:30 seconds in video) on the left behind the green truck is my Grandad Hopper's woodworking shop. My daddy, Jack, and Grandad built the last set of wooden steps in Cudho's Cave. The little ice cream stand across the street was always a treat to visit.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +1

      @@jacquelinehopper7277 I didn't know that my friend. thanks for sharing.

    • @jacquelinehopper7277
      @jacquelinehopper7277 3 роки тому

      @@donnielaws7020 I and my cousin have so many more stories. It would be terrific to talk on phone with you. How do I get you my phone without giving it to everyone?

  • @tracicomstock6525
    @tracicomstock6525 3 роки тому +2

    So beautiful. I would have loved to have attended The Narrow School, and later to have been married at The Wedding Chapel. The music is beautiful and soothing too Donnie. Thank you so much.

  • @grillforthechill1500
    @grillforthechill1500 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks for another wonderful video. It seems so peaceful in that area.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому

      Your very welcome. Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @bobbyhenegar7034
    @bobbyhenegar7034 3 роки тому +3

    One of the areas you go to and seems like you are walking into the past. It’s nice to get on the original roads and travel like they did back in the day. Need to get back in the area and do some exploring.

  • @HawthorneHillNaturePreserve
    @HawthorneHillNaturePreserve 2 роки тому +2

    I am just completely enamored by your work. The before and after photos of areas, the history and culture all make such a great story every time. I live in Sussex NJ where the Appalachian mountains run through our back yards practically. We have the Delaware Water Gap and many similar historical similarities. I live for nature and the history the land has to tell. I just think its amazing that there are still people who continue to tell the stories and don’t allow the history to be forgotten! Please keep on making these amazing videos. 🙏💕

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому

      Your very welcome. Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @dennisjackson6693
    @dennisjackson6693 Рік тому

    still enjoying your older videos we have been through the gap and over the old road many many times in the past keep up the great work

  • @thisguyhere6641
    @thisguyhere6641 3 роки тому +2

    I first went through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in the summer of 1997! It was absolutely awesome!

  • @xjackiex24
    @xjackiex24 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks 👍 Sir.. I think I've almost watched em all ☺️ .. great 👍👍 stuff.

  • @nosondre
    @nosondre 3 роки тому +1

    Enjoyed. So much of this country I haven’t seen. I remember the Cumberland Gap illustration from school textbooks. Made me chuckle.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому

      Thank you my friend. If you love the Gap here is a video you may enjoy on the history . ua-cam.com/video/_3fmtf7CQ94/v-deo.html Thanks for the comment.

  • @itbigboy1984
    @itbigboy1984 2 роки тому

    Such beautiful scenery, I hope I get to go back and see your neck of the woods again Donnie!

  • @nandogomez2525
    @nandogomez2525 3 місяці тому

    beautiful landscapes, thanks for the tour,

  • @louparry7721
    @louparry7721 7 місяців тому

    Now I can say I visited Tennessee! Thanks for the drive, Donnie. Your friend, Louise

  • @sandralane1923
    @sandralane1923 3 роки тому +3

    Thanks for the ride along a historic area. The music was excellent.

  • @familytreenutshistorygenealogy
    @familytreenutshistorygenealogy 3 роки тому +1

    Great job. We sure appreciate folks documenting this part of the country. We could make videos there forever.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому

      Couldn't agree more! Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @lanacampbell-moore4549
    @lanacampbell-moore4549 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for sharing this👍😊

  • @upnorthadventureswithccc
    @upnorthadventureswithccc 3 роки тому +2

    Beautiful ride and what a peaceful little town. I miss the quietness of small towns living. My town use to be peaceful like this until the big foundries took over. Really enjoyed the peaceful ride :)

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you Thanks so much for your comment.

  • @randlerichardson5826
    @randlerichardson5826 3 роки тому +1

    I’m starting this one I’ll be back shortly sir thank you for sharing see you in a few minutes

  • @djdalton6070
    @djdalton6070 8 місяців тому

    Thank you Donnie for this awesome video. Across from the Harrow school building was a Sinclair Gas station, owned by Fred Chumley, right on the curve. My father, Gene Dalton was fishing buddies with Fred, and that station holds a lot a childhood memories for me. If you should ever come across a photo of Chumley’s filling station, I would be grateful to be able to see them. God bless you Donnie.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  8 місяців тому

      That's so awesome my friend. Thanks so much for sharing this. Your very welcome. God bless you.

  • @cowboykelly6590
    @cowboykelly6590 2 роки тому

    All kidding aside , This was Soothing, I'm watching this show Again . Thank you Sir 🤠🖖

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому +1

      Your very welcome. Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @waynecoker8682
    @waynecoker8682 2 роки тому

    Loved this video, back when I was in the USAF 63-67 & was assigned to a base in Indiana, I traveled 25E from Indiana to my home in South Carolina driving a 1955 Pontiac. Stopped at the Visitor Center & trying to relive old memories & asked about the old 25E road & was told that it had been destroyed. What a let down, but this video helped the memories come flooding back. Thanks for putting it out so everyone can enjoy it.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому

      Awesome! Your very welcome. Thanks for sharing that my friend.

  • @peterkopczyk3744
    @peterkopczyk3744 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks For The Drive.👍

  • @drtom5936
    @drtom5936 2 роки тому

    I just love the history. And taking the today and showing the yesteryear photos is phenomenal. Outstanding my friend. Love it. Rush hour in the gap. Rush hour there would be 3 cars and a pickup truck.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you friend. Your very welcome. Thanks for sharing.

  • @kennethboydsr3966
    @kennethboydsr3966 6 місяців тому

    Love this tour Donnie a lot of History thanks so much ❤❤😊

  • @nicholasspeke7160
    @nicholasspeke7160 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for sharing! Have not been through the gap since Gap since 2009. Last time in the cave was in the 80s. Hope to get back down there soon!

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому

      It has changed some since then. Thanks for watching.

  • @debroahisaacs2452
    @debroahisaacs2452 Рік тому

    Hey Mr Donnie. Thanx for another memory.

  • @dalechurch4954
    @dalechurch4954 Рік тому

    Great video and lots of historical information and places thanks for sharing. We live in Wilkes County North Carolina below Boone above the brown mountain lights. It is a place I would like to see one day. We are below Elizabethion Tennessee. Thanks again for sharing all your wonderful videos

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  Рік тому

      Awesome my friend. Thanks for sharing this. Your very welcome.

  • @tooge47
    @tooge47 2 роки тому +1

    There's just "something" about those old mountain roads I cherish fondly.
    A tunnel just doesn't "do it" for me, LOL
    I cannot thank you enough for what you do

  • @goeiu
    @goeiu 10 місяців тому

    Thank you so much for this video. Very well done.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  10 місяців тому

      Thank you friend. Your very welcome.

  • @merrileemorrison-cotter8539
    @merrileemorrison-cotter8539 2 роки тому

    My cousin and I loved this drive. He was a trucker and showed me many pieces of the old road from the new. I'd have loved to have gone the old route. We drove 25E many times and I have so many fond memories of the drives.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому +1

      Awesome my friend. Thanks for sharing this.

  • @michaelwhitehead6310
    @michaelwhitehead6310 3 роки тому +1

    so amazing you can drop me off there in mountains I would be right at home

  • @patsymeleen5662
    @patsymeleen5662 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for sharing !

  • @billmiller5075
    @billmiller5075 2 роки тому

    Thank you for the videos Donnie

  • @cadeevans4623
    @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

    I took a drive up to Cumberland gap through the town went through the tunnel up to the pinnacle stopped at the gap creek coffee cafe sat by the creek and at the tables nice coffee cafe to Donnie roamed around looking at the beautiful mountains and greenery beautiful country up in Virginia and Cumberland gap stopped at wilderness road state park lovely drive Donnie

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      Took some pictures of the scenery and old barns houses old houses and churches

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      Did see old gas pumps would love to go to the general stores

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  6 місяців тому +1

      Awesome my friend. Thanks for sharing this.

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      Sure was awesome happy to be sharing this buddy

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      Would love to live up there

  • @randomvintagefilm273
    @randomvintagefilm273 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you for uploading this! I'm a direct descendant of Rebecca Boone, Daniel Boone's sister. I've got to come out there and explore!

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +1

      You're very welcome my friend. Glad you enjoyed it.

  • @RelicHuntingSouthTexas
    @RelicHuntingSouthTexas 3 роки тому +3

    Some nice pics you included Donnie! Nice your? What month was this taken in? Or various times? Looks so sunny, green and beautiful!

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +3

      Thanks. These were taken in the past summer, July. This is was i grew up. Thanks for watching.

  • @MickeyLeeBluebird
    @MickeyLeeBluebird Рік тому

    Hi Donnie this was very interesting. I've always wanted to go but have never been. I've always been interested in the layout of the land & the actual Gap in the mountains that many settlers passed through. I've always tried to envision how big & wide the gap actually is through the mountains. What an amazing unique place. I'm assuming you were either raised there, lived there and/or worked there? It's so interesting. Thank you, for sharing. I really enjoyed it. The music you used was a perfect fit. You're very good at putting these videos together. It's a perfect fit. It's like you're a natural. I've never tried to edit & put videos together. You make it look easy. I'm sure it's not.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  Рік тому

      Thanks for sharing this my friend. Editing can be a little work. Learning the program your using is the hardest thing. Glad you enjoyed them. God bless you. Your very welcome.

  • @MichaelGloth-f7j
    @MichaelGloth-f7j 3 місяці тому

    Nice journey TY

  • @nathanbbyrum
    @nathanbbyrum Рік тому

    Reminds me a lot of the Ozarks here in Missouri (and Arkansas) which is another desiccated plateau just like the Cumberland Plateau.

  • @dianatorrez4677
    @dianatorrez4677 2 роки тому

    The oldest building in the gap looks like a picture that's on a adult coloring book. Beautiful.

  • @pamelaattrux336
    @pamelaattrux336 3 роки тому +1

    Very interesting

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому

      Glad you think so! Thanks for watching my friend.

  • @freddiepierce1514
    @freddiepierce1514 3 роки тому

    I like your channel, I had two g.g. uncles with 62nd NC reg. surrendered there by their officers and later died within months in Camp Douglas in Chicago

  • @vickyrussell1672
    @vickyrussell1672 Рік тому

    I have said that more than I care to think because I would have loved to show it to my girls because my dad used to drive it when we came home to visit from Knoxville when he was off work

  • @markwilliams5606
    @markwilliams5606 2 роки тому

    The old 25E. Was the Best and only road to Mom's home. And to Michigan

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  2 роки тому

      I knew it very well. Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @sherrycpa
    @sherrycpa 6 місяців тому

    Thank you for celebrating ‘our neck of the woods’❤️

  • @ralphballtrip2214
    @ralphballtrip2214 5 місяців тому

    We will stop at the restaurant there and eat breakfast. Keep trucking to Knoxville Tennessee and back to Harlem in the 50s and 60s.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  5 місяців тому

      Thanks for sharing your memories my friend.

  • @ralphballtrip2214
    @ralphballtrip2214 5 місяців тому

    Yes, be a cave up there you can go and see it used to be on the Hill Road in Store where you can buy cigarettes real cheap before you go into Kentucky 1950

  • @ralphballtrip2214
    @ralphballtrip2214 5 місяців тому

    1960s going to Knoxville from Harlan. road a lot of truck drivers lost her life there the way the road was built.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  5 місяців тому

      That's so true my friend. Cumberland mountain was the worse. Thanks for sharing this. God bless you.

  • @reedsartofadventure
    @reedsartofadventure 3 роки тому +1

    👍😎👍

  • @PK-bh1ww
    @PK-bh1ww 3 роки тому +1

    You don get the good food anymore that you used to get at those old Mom and Pop diners. The best veg burger, hot beef sandwich, potato salad ,chili, cinn, rolls, pies to die for and the best coffee... 10 cents a cup. with free refill.. (not $4...)The food was the best part of the trip besides the people you met along the way :-)

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  3 роки тому +3

      Yes it was. Thanks for sharing my friend.

  • @Wildhare-uo5vj
    @Wildhare-uo5vj 2 роки тому +1

    When I was in 5th grade our school took a field trip to The Gap.
    Somehow they ended up losing a kid when we got back.
    It was terrifying at the time because we were all sure he was grabbed by a serial killer. (5th grade imagination).
    His parents ended up going to get him and everything was OK in the end.

  • @cadeevans4623
    @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

    Donnie do you know where BlackBerry hollow Baptist church is i stopped by there that's where my mamaw and papaw met each other at the church

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      It's BlackBerry hollow missionary Baptist church on Crockett ridge

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      In Lee county Virginia

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  6 місяців тому +1

      Awesome my friend. No I don't. Sorry my friend.

    • @cadeevans4623
      @cadeevans4623 6 місяців тому

      Thanks buddy I was curious if you knew where it was or not

  • @rtoguidver3651
    @rtoguidver3651 Рік тому

    The problem w/ driving thru this area is I never want to leave.!

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  Рік тому

      I completely understand my friend. God bless you.

  • @NoraBear61
    @NoraBear61 Рік тому +1

    Spot on comparison my friend
    . I don't like using this word but I hate Progress it sucks I know it has to be. You know what I mean 😢

  • @MrSpeartip12
    @MrSpeartip12 2 роки тому

    I used to live 30 minutes from here.

  • @wayneneikirk8370
    @wayneneikirk8370 7 місяців тому

    i grew up in Cumberland Gap.. I hated it the and i hate it now. People were so mean.

    • @donnielaws7020
      @donnielaws7020  7 місяців тому

      WOW I hate to hear that my friend. God bless you. Thanks for sharing this.

  • @cowboykelly6590
    @cowboykelly6590 3 роки тому

    I'm related to Daniel Boone's wifes ,
    Uncles wife's... father's brothers wifes ... lil Sisters husbands ... Aunts son larry .🥵😊🖖