Enduring Community: Cumberland Gap City Hall

Though the years may have brought many changes to Cumberland Gap’s economy and way of life, folks here know they reside in a special place. The old and the new work together to continually evolve the town. Buildings have hosted different businesses and served many purposes. As one purpose retires, a new purpose takes up residence —- such as the town hall operating in what was once the school or the artist’s co-op occupying the former Fuson Drug Store building. This is, of course, in compliment to new additions, like Festival Park, which (in 1976) celebrated the 200 year anniversary of the town. Festival Park hosts many community events throughout the year, like The Mountain Fiesta, an annual festival celebrating Appalachian and Latin culture.

As always, the town maintains a close relationship to the rest of the tri-state region, especially Lincoln Memorial University. Since opening its doors in 1897, fulfilling Abraham Lincoln’s wish he expressed to General Howard to “do something for those mountain people,” the university and the town have been intertwined, becoming a destination for education and opportunity. From LMU once owning and operating the Gap Cave to today’s students residing in Cumberland Gap, the communities have long supported one another.

Formerly Cumberland Gap Public School, the building dates to 1925. It now serves as the city hall and houses an impressive collection of historic pieces relevant to the town's history. 

National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, February 23, 1990.

Sweet, Natalie. Harrogate and Cumberland Gap. Charleston, SC. Arcadia Publishing, 2014.