Clinchport

Clinchport is located along Rte 23/Rte 58 beside the beautiful Clinch River. The river is a perfect spot for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, or swimming. And don't forget to explore the several scenic swinging bridges spanning the water!

In addition, Clinchport hosts a stop along the Daniel Boone Birding Trail. Stop by the Rye Cove Intermediate School to see red-eyed vireos, eastern towhees, cedar waxwings, American kestrels, and wild turkey.

Clinchport is only five miles from Natural Tunnel State Park and several geochaches exist in the Clinchport area.

History

Originally incorporated in 1894, Clinchport grew as a port for loggers who dodged river rocks while rolling timber downstream. It also became a thriving railroad and agriculture center at the Clinch River's confluence with Stock Creek in Central Scott County. The town is named for the river. But several theories exist on how the Clinch River and Clinch Mountain took their names. One story says "Clinch" comes from a large, athletic hunter named Clinch (Clinche), who was thrown from his horse into the river while retreating from Indians circa 1749; Clinch managed to drown one of his Indian attackers, even after his fall. Yet another story says the name is for an Irishman who fell off a raft and cried "Clinch Me, Clinch me!"

Clinchport's first incorporation was repealed in 1915, but the town was rechartered in 1940. For years, a wooden boardwalk connected general stores, a bank, and a barberhsop, all along Rte 65, the main drag through town. But all of that was wiped out when the river surged out of its banks on April 4, 1977. About 80 homes were flooded. Some washed downriver through the submerged suburbs. Later, when flood waters receded, business dried up in the town limits.

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