History of the Emerald Lake Property

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Native American ERA

Emerald Lake was created by damn put across the creek that runs through our property called Stillhouse Branch.  In early times, Native Americans occupied the area and fished and hunted along the creek.  There are still signs of them around.  For example, the large rock formation across the lake from the Lake Cabin has an ledge under which they sought shelter and had fires for cooking and warmth.  The underside of the ledge is still charred from these fires.

Moonshine ERA

According to some local legends, there was a "government" still at the spring source of the Stillhouse Creek before Prohibition.  The still produced legal moonshine that was driven down to Valley Head and loaded onto a train bound for Chattanooga.  This activity gave the creek its name.  The government still was closed after the Prohibition amendment at which time it was periodically home to various illegal bootleggers.  After Prohibition, the bootlegging continued into the 1960's.  Locals tell of a man caught bootlegging by federal agents in a helicopter.  When told that he was going to be taken (by helicopter) to a jail in Georgia, he replied "I ain't goin' in no heely-o-copter".

Darrell Norman

Darrell Norman lived for about 15 years in the Emerald Lake Meadow Cabin and wrote his Sunday editorial articles for the Gasden Times.  He was inspired by the serenity, beauty, and wildlife that he saw every day on the property.  Maybe you'll be inspired to write by sitting in the same spot!