Burnside’s got history.

First named Point Isabel, Burnside was settled in around 1800 by pioneers from the Carolinas and Virginia. During the Civil War in 1863, the Union Army set up a troop rendezvous and supply base here as a prelude to the East Tennessee campaign of General Ambrose E. Burnside. The area then became known as Camp Burnside. Years later, that land is now under water. Scroll down to learn more about how our town moved to higher ground, and became a lake lover’s paradise.

Burnside’s got history.

First named Point Isabel, Burnside was settled in around 1800 by pioneers from the Carolinas and Virginia. During the Civil War in 1863, the Union Army set up a troop rendezvous and supply base here as a prelude to the East Tennessee campaign of General Ambrose E. Burnside. The area then became known as Camp Burnside. Years later, that land is now under water. Scroll down to learn more about how our town moved to higher ground, and became a lake lover’s paradise.

The Making of the Lake

Learn how our original valley town was relocated to higher ground making way for present-day Burnside.

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7 Gables Motel

Seven Gables Motel has always been a fixture of Burnside, but hasn’t always been in its current location…

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Birthplace of the Boy Scouts

Burnside, Kentucky has long been promoted the town as the Birthplace of the Boy Scouts of America.

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Southern Railway

Nine of 27 Southern Railway tunnels are located in Burnside, giving us rich railway history.

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Rowena the Steamboat

Before our expansive lake, the Cumberland River was territory for steamboat enterprising.

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Harriette Simpson Arnow

Regarded as one of the most noteable Kentucky authors, Arnow has Burnside, Kentucky ties.

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Get in touch

Burnside Tourism Commission
& Burnside City Hall

7929 S. Hwy. 27
Burnside, KY 42519
800-240-2531
director@burnsidetourism.com