As many of you know, I love visiting small towns and exploring what they have to offer.  I had passed through Celina years earlier and other than the historic and picturesque Clay County Courthouse in the middle of town and a Mexican restaurant where we ate lunch, I wasn’t exactly sure what Celina had to offer.  Flash forward to 2021 and I see this is a place where you’ll find plenty of surprises.

(During my visit to Celina I was a guest of Upper Cumberland Tourism. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.)

Stunning rock cuts and sweeping views of the Northern Tennessee hills captivate your attention as you make your way along a newly redesigned Highway 52 from Livingston into Celina, Tennessee.  This is the southern gateway to Dale Hollow Lake, a recreational wonderland famous for its fishing, houseboating and its unforgettable natural beauty.  

The town of Celina with its nearly 2-thousand residents, sits along the banks of the Obey River (below the Dale Hollow Dam) and the Cumberland River.  Each year, thousands of people pass through the town on the way to the lake and if they aren’t stopping, there are plenty of reasons they should.

Start your visit at the center of town at the Courthouse Square.  You’ll know you are there when you see a small two-story red brick structure with large windows, arched doorways and square cupola on top.  This is the historic Clay County Courthouse, built in 1873.  The Italianate style building no longer serves as the Courthouse, and while plans for its future use are undetermined, the community is looking at ways to preserve and reuse this simple, yet stunning building. Just before the county offices moved out, the courthouse was the oldest continuously used courthouse in Tennessee.

Across the street on the west side of the courthouse square you might see Sasquatch and his family walking by a variety of highway signs from across the country.  My guess is they are heading to see the Elvis Presley Birthplace or maybe they are going to check out what’s inside Town Square Antiques.  This shop on the Celina Square has two big rooms filled with treasures galore.  If that’s not enough you can also check out Old Home Place Antiques on the south side of the square.  I managed to find a Coca-Cola dish set there that I didn’t already have.  And even though I live in a town known for its antiques district, it’s always nice to browse through other people’s collections because you just never know what you’re going to find.

While you can find treasures from the past on the Square, there are other shops you’ll want to check out.  Enchanted, Bath, Body & Candles is part clothing boutique and a whole lot of hand made candles, soaps, and bath products.  On the other end of the block is Willows Treehouse Treasures which offers up floral creations, clothing and more.  (Unfortunately, on my visit to Celina this store was not open, so I could only peak in the window.) 

Whether you’re looking to start the day with some food or fill up during the day Celina has you covered with lots of small-town flavor.  On the Northside of the Square Teddi Lou’s Bakery offers up home baked goodness in many forms including an assortment of fresh glazed donuts, a lusciously large cinnamon roll and savory kolaches filled with things like sausage, eggs and cheese.  

Next door is the Gone Country Café, one of the few places in Tennessee where I’ve been able to find a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich.  It’s just one of many country cooking specialties you’ll find on the menu.  The booth seating, counter and shelving inside Gone Country all date back to 1938 when there was a Trailways Bus Stop  located inside the building.  A mural on the outside of the restaurant reflects its long connection with bus travel.  

Head east from downtown and when you see the big gray elephant be sure and stop and go inside for a little taste of soul in the land of Dale Hollow.  Whether you order the Elephant Burger or go for one of the daily specials like fried chicken or all-you-can-eat shrimp and catfish.  Given the crowds of people there the nights I visited I’m guessing there isn’t anything on Ollie’s menu that isn’t good, so be sure and get there early.

In the mood for some BBQ, then be sure and try Dale Hollow 1 Stop BBQ, where you get BBQ with a Celina twist.  In addition to traditional items like pulled pork and ribs, you can also get a slice of BBQ pork shoulder something I had not run across before in my travels.

Each day hundreds of people come through Celina on their way to one of the Upper Cumberland’s biggest treasures, Dale Hollow Lake.  There are several marinas on the lake in Clay County each offering up ways to get out on the water or just enjoy a lakefront view.  

Dale Hollow Marina is one of the closest to Celina.  Recently the owners acquired the old Cedar Hill Resort on the other side of the hill and together they provide a wide variety of amenities including houseboat and pontoon boat rentals, a fully stocked dock store and cabin rentals.  During my time in Celina I stayed at one of the Cedar Hill cabins which had a panoramic view of this part of the lake.  The cabins are great for a family vacation or a weekend getaway. 

Just beyond the cabins and the marina you’ll find Pleasant Grove Park.  This day use area is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and there is a small entry fee.  Trails stretch out on both sides of the narrow peninsula where the park is located.  At the end of the peninsula, you’ll find a swinging bridge that leads you to a small island in the lake.  The area below the swinging bridge is a popular one for swimming.  Be sure and pack a picnic lunch because you’ll likely want to spend the day here soaking up the sun, the views and cooling off in the water.

Dale Hollow Dam along the Obey River makes all this lake fun possible.  At 185 feet high and 1717 feet high, the dam became fully operational in 1953 even though construction started in 1942.  Just a few miles outside of Celina you can drive up to an overlook to get a closer look at this modern marvel.  From here you can also drive across the dam and check out the area behind it and even walk down the steps to the water.

While Dale Hollow Lake boasts several record sized smallmouth bass, the tailwaters is stocked with trout raised in the National Fish Hatchery just below the dam.  The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service operates the hatchery which provides a great opportunity for learning about trout and other fish found in the region.  A small aquarium showcases the fish found in the lake, while the hatchery itself brings you up close to all the stages of the life of trout.  It’s quite an experience just walking around and seeing the pools filled with thousands of fish.

Below the dam, the Obey River flows gently toward the point where it joins the Cumberland River on the west side of Celina.  There are a couple of places along this stretch of river you’ll want to check out.  One is the Moody Boat Ramp right off highway 53 going back into Celina.  There are several small overlooks there great for fishing or just soaking in the serene nature of your surroundings. In town, the Donaldson Park Recreation Area serves as kind of a cross between a city park, with picnic facilities and large fields and a place for walks back into the woods and along the river.

Celina is on the western end of the newly designated Cumberland Scenic Byway, a 156 mile route. The eastern end of the byway is Cumberland Gap, TN and the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. The route also passes through Historic Rugby, TN a Victorian English Settlement in Morgan County.

Learn more about Celina and Clay County at the following links.

Dale Hollow Lake and Clay County Information

Dale Hollow Marina and Cedar Hill Resort

Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery