Sharps Chapel: Nature, Water, and History

Sharps Chapel offers several perspectives to consider when planning a trip: forests and lakes, architectural history, boat rentals, and a school building listed on the National Register. If you are looking for a hotel in Sharps Chapel, first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Forest and lake as a landscape theme

Chuck Swan State Forest is surrounded by Norris Lake on three sides. This clearly defines the landscape theme: forest and lake are considered together. Unlike the Fire Lookout Tower, whose construction period and design inform its historical context, the focus here is on the relationship between two landscape features. If nature and water are among your priorities, you can take this perspective into account when planning your trip.

The Chuck Swan Fire Lookout Tower

Around 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps built the Chuck Swan Fire Lookout Tower for the Tennessee Valley Authority. The tower is locally significant in the field of conservation and embodies the characteristic features of the Aermotor LS-40 fire tower design. For visitors interested in historic architecture and conservation, it brings both perspectives together in one structure. Its construction period and commissioning organization show the context in which it was built; the Aermotor LS-40 design provides its architectural context.

Visitors may photograph the tower but may not climb it. Keep this restriction in mind if you are planning a visit primarily to see the tower.

Boat rentals and slips

Beach Island offers rentals of pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, and towable tubes. For planning purposes, these involve two different questions: with rentals, you choose a type of water activity; with the marina, the focus is on slips and their dimensions. So first decide whether your priority is a rented watercraft or a slip.

Oak Grove School and historical interests

Oak Grove School (SG100003161), at 410 Brantley Rd, Union, Sharps Chapel, is listed on the Tennessee National Register. The listing date is November 26, 2018. For travelers interested in history, the school building offers a distinct focus alongside forests, lakes, and boating.

The two historical topics differ: the Fire Lookout Tower offers an architectural and conservation-related perspective; for Oak Grove School, the listing, date, and address are the key reference points. This lets you distinguish between the history of a structure and a specific register listing.

Access to Chuck Swan WMA

Access to Chuck Swan WMA is via Sharps Chapel Road; the entrance is at the end of the county road, about 10 miles away. The mileage is approximate. Use it as a guide when planning your drive, and also take into account the described entrance at the end of the county road.

For the broader travel overview: Union County.