Cumberland Gap

Narrow pass through the Cumberland Mountains / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about Cumberland Gap?

Summarize this article for a 10 years old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

The Cumberland Gap is a pass in the eastern United States through the long ridge of the Cumberland Mountains, within the Appalachian Mountains and near the tripoint of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. At an elevation of 1,631 feet (497 m) above sea level, it is famous in American colonial history for its role as a key passageway through the lower central Appalachians.

Cumberland_Mountains_ridge_line_looking_northeast_into_Virginia_from_Cumberland_Gap.jpg
Cumberland Mountains ridge line looking southwest with Tennessee on the left and Kentucky on the right from Cumberland Gap.
Quick facts: Cumberland Gap, Elevation, Traversed by, Loca... ▼
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland_Gap.jpg
Cumberland Gap in winter
Elevation1,631 ft (497 m)[1]
Traversed byUS_25E.svg US 25E
LocationFlag_of_Kentucky.svg Kentucky
Flag_of_Tennessee.svg Tennessee
Flag_of_Virginia.svg Virginia
Flag_of_the_United_States.svg United States
RangeCumberland Mountains
Coordinates36°36′15″N 83°40′25″W
Topo mapUSGS Middlesboro South
Cumberland Gap is located in the United States
Cumberland Gap
Location in the United States
Cumberland Gap is located in Virginia
Cumberland Gap
Location in Virginia
Cumberland Gap is located in Kentucky
Cumberland Gap
Location in Kentucky
Close ▲

Long used by Native American nations, the Cumberland Gap was brought to the attention of settlers in 1750 by Thomas Walker, a Virginia physician and explorer. The path was used by a team of frontiersmen led by Daniel Boone, making it accessible to pioneers who used it to journey into the western frontiers of Kentucky and Tennessee. An important part of the Wilderness Road, it is now part of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.