Chickasaw state park

Big Black Creek Historical Association

Visit West TN member seal

The Big Black Creek Historical Association Inc. was formed to identify, preserve, and promote historical and cultural sites within eastern Haywood and western Madison Counties in Tennessee including the communities of Denmark, Leighton, Mercer and Woodland. Restoration of the Denmark Presbyterian Church is underway with a grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Madison County. Neglected family cemeteries are being restored and readings published for genealogists searching for family roots. A driving tour is being developed, and guided tours are available on request.

Originally settled by farmers looking for better land to grow cotton, many farms have remained in the same family over 100 years. Recognizing these farms through the Tennessee Century Farms Program is a current project raising awareness of the significance of an agricultural area that was on the leading edge of the great westward movement in U.S. history. Future projects include restoring Booker Knob School at Leighton and replacing the roof on the Ebenezer Cumberland church building in Mercer.


A large metal bell is mounted on a green wooden frame outdoors, surrounded by leafless trees on a clear, sunny day with blue skies.
A church pulpit with a cross stands on a colorful rug between two large decorated pots, flanked by American and Christian flags in a wooden room with windows showing trees outside.
Aisle view of a church interior with wooden pews on both sides, tall windows, yellow walls, and flags near the altar at the front.
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