The Devils Triangle, just north of Oak Ridge (TN) in the mountains of the Cumberland Plateau, is made up of some of the most unusual two lane twisty roads in eastern Tennessee.
The adventure ranges from the bucolic rural Tennessee scenery to a view of Brushy Mountain State Prison; from gentle country road sweepers to gnarly steep switchbacks; from serene straights to Dragon like twisties with guard rails of death; from gentle pull-offs to three foot deep rock strewn gullies just inches from the pavement; from peaceful farmsteads to sections of rutted roadway right out of a horror movie.
There is a lot to see when touring the Devils Triangle and nearby area. We found some interesting architecture, unique sights, old cemeteries and even some roadside art.
The Truck Tire Garden on Tn 116 has been featured in Home and Garden Magazine.
The DPI Field of Failures. Diversified Product Inspections (DPI) is a private company, headquarters in Oliver Springs TN, which provides product failure analysis for insurance companies and individuals. They have an eclectic art display outside their office somehow melding art and product failures.
Our favorite failure is the triple oven home tragedy dollhouse in old ovens entitled White Picket Disaster. Left to right; the kitchen, the bathroom, and the garage.
On TN 116 this metal clad building is only a couple of feet off the roadway. Probably an old mercantile business.
Someone keeps replacing the light bulb, but no one is home.
On TN 116
The owner replaced his old Confederate flag with a new one.
General store on the east end of TN 116 and it is still in business.
The old Laurel Grove School dates back to the 1800s. It is located near the intersection of TN 116 and TN 330 on the east end of the Triangle.
This residence in Oliver Springs is over 100 years old.
This is the old Oliver Springs Hospital. Today it is the home of one man. The fifth floor lookout porch catches your eye as you enter town.
The Kountry Kitchen in Oliver Springs has a convenient truck repair in the rear. Enjoy the mountain views with cold glass of Pinot Grigio from the upper deck.
The Olga Coal Company Building is actually the Sienknecht Store. The Olga designation was used for the filming of the movie October Sky and never removed. The building was built near the mineral springs that attracted tourists to the area in the late 1800s. The large 150 room Oliver Springs Hotel was located at the overpass in the distance. It burned in 1905 and was not rebuilt.
The Hut Drive Thru and Deli on TN 116 in Rosedale. Call in your order on CB channel 5 and shoot some hoops while you wait.
The old home place on TN 116.
Another old mercantile building from the past on TN 116.
This home we saw on the way to the Triangle on Old Lake City Highway. Note on the garage roof at left with the ladder and slide into the swimming pool.
Art at Diversified Product Inspections, LLC Field of Failures. This one is The Tower of Failures
Noise
Failed Invention
Untitled, but we think this was an early prototype of the Segway.
Kudzu Dragon on TN 116 near the prison.
Wish we had found the Hoskins Drug Store open in Clinton. Hear they make a mean grilled cheese/tomato soup lunch with a real milkshake in this drugstore from yesteryear.
Clinton had a bunch of Antique stores that we wished had been open, but it was Sunday morning.
