By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Big Sandy, Tenn.—“Moonlight Madness at the Old 23rd” Saturday night helped raise funds for restoring the former Mt. Zion Church and developing an driving tour through the roads of the Old 23rd District which is now part of the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge.
A large number of people were hand for the festivities Saturday evening, sponsored by the Friends of the Refuge and held at the Old 23rd Restaurant at Christopher Manor.
The evening included a guided hayride through the Old 23rd District with commentary by Chris Evans, author of “South of the Mouth of Sandy”; music by members of the Old 23rd District Band, who moved from dining room to dining room, a silent auction, and dinner and dessert served by Friends’ members and Linda Zanaty, who operates the restaurant.
The evening was organized to promote the historical importance of the Old 23rd District and highlight the 126 families who onc lived there but were displaced by the construction of Kentucky Dam.
Plans are to continue with restoration work at the former Mt. Zion Church, as well as install signs highlighting the former homesteads, businesses and farms to mark where they were once located in the community. The signs will be accompanied by a brochure telling the story of the families and their time in the Old 23rd.
The Old 23rd Restaurant at Christopher Manor is located at 10030 Lick Creek Rd. in Big Sandy in the heart of the former community.
Photo: Chris Evans (with paper) tells stories about the Old 23rd District on one of several guided hayrides Saturday night. Photo by Shannon McFarlin
The evening included a guided hayride through the Old 23rd District with commentary by Chris Evans, author of “South of the Mouth of Sandy”; music by members of the Old 23rd District Band, who moved from dining room to dining room, a silent auction, and dinner and dessert served by Friends’ members and Linda Zanaty, who operates the restaurant.
The evening was organized to promote the historical importance of the Old 23rd District and highlight the 126 families who onc lived there but were displaced by the construction of Kentucky Dam.
Plans are to continue with restoration work at the former Mt. Zion Church, as well as install signs highlighting the former homesteads, businesses and farms to mark where they were once located in the community. The signs will be accompanied by a brochure telling the story of the families and their time in the Old 23rd.
The Old 23rd Restaurant at Christopher Manor is located at 10030 Lick Creek Rd. in Big Sandy in the heart of the former community.
Photo: Chris Evans (with paper) tells stories about the Old 23rd District on one of several guided hayrides Saturday night. Photo by Shannon McFarlin