In celebration of 225 years of statehood, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee visited Rock Island State Park and toured the Old Cotton Mill. It was built in 1896 and out of service on Good Friday of 1902. Park employees, local leaders and senators and representatives were on hand hoping Lee and the State Legislature will help restore many projects in the park area.
Park Manger Damon Graham said his vision for Rock Island State Park is to use the mill in an interactive way, redesign traffic flow and restore pedestrian bridge to walk across the Great Falls Dam.
Lee told the gathering that Rock Island State Park is one of the best in the country and he and leaders are committed to restoration and improvement and that there’s big plans in this year’s budget. Lee said that people are the answer to the greatest challenges. When talking about the 225 years of statehood, the governor said his seventh great grandfather was there to see it enacted in 1796. Lee said in closing that the best days lie ahead for Tennessee and we should be very proud of our community.
Visitors may submit stories about unique experiences at the parks or expressions of what the parks mean to them on the Tennessee State Parks website.
Other stops for Lee Friday included the Freedom Celebration in Sparta and a trip to Dekalb Co. for the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree.