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 All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns and
Herman Tester©2009
All Rights Reserved
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If you have visited the Butler Museum you know that many artifacts were saved from the original town of Butler. The nature of the Watauga Dam project forced the removal of almost all objects from the area to be flooded when the gates of the dam were closed in December 1948. The museum has collected many of these tools, store fixtures, photos, and furniture and created a wonderful environment to get a feel for the original town. 
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This month the museum took a giant step forward with the addition of an entire building that had been near the old town. According to Herman Tester, author and President of the Museum Board, Brian Kruger and Robert Ford purchased the property several years ago and generously donated the building to the museum. The store was just over a mile northeast of the original town of Butler, near the Southern railroad tracks. The 1930 census listed Stanley Stout as the merchant in 1930. Forced to move by the Watauga Dam project, it was relocated to Highway 67 between present day Butler and Mountain City in 1948. According to Tester, "Stanley Stout built the house when he moved his family here in 1948 and ran the store until his death. The Stout family, Doris and her husband John L. Dugger, ran the store after that. The Watsons who now have the newly built store across the road from the store site last ran the Stout Store." |
The store was moved from its Highway 76 location to the museum on November 4 of this year by Layman Construction and House Moving from Parrottsville, TN. Much work is ahead for the Museum Board and volunteers. The foundation for the store must be built, landscaping added and then the long task of acquiring fixtures for the store and, hopefully, re-acquiring some of the original fixtures. Finally, perhaps in the next year, the museum will host a dedication of this great new addition, adding it to its museum tour. |
Project such as the preservation of the Stout Store and last years' construction of the Veterans' Memorial at the museum are the result of tremendous effort and dedication of Butler Museum Board members and supporters. Most of these people were part of families which were displaced when Watauga Dam was built. They have a strong commitment to keeping the story of the sacrifice of the residents of "Old Butler" alive. If you would like to contribute in any way (money, time, donation of artifacts) contact them through their website at this link: Butler Museum website 
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