Perhaps one of the area’s more interesting and obscured sites is located on the Cumberland Plateau on Rocky River Mountain in Van Buren County.
It’s Hard Times, USA, an old-fashioned town boasting a variety of buildings situated on 600 acres of mountain land. The town humbly started about 20 years ago when owner Jimmy Yates decided to build a general store and a small stage to hold functions for his friends. Now he has an entire town, adding a grist mill, a church, a school house, a livery stable, a saloon/barbershop/doctor/post office combination, a hardware and a Gulf service station. The site also has a newly constructed shed for antique tractors and two covered bridges. All using authentic designs and rough-hewn lumber, the buildings actually appear to be from another time.
Seventeen years ago, Yates and close friend Kenneth Keaton started having get-togethers for their friends complete with food and entertainment. From that small beginning Heritage Day was born, with this year’s event welcoming over 2,000 visitors to the complex.
“Jimmy and Kenneth are just good, caring people who do this out of the enjoyment of sharing,” said friend and volunteer Sandra Shockley. “This Heritage Day is a way for them to give back.”
Heritage Day is held on the first Saturday in October, but planning starts weeks in advance. A host of volunteers plan and work diligently to make it a success. Antique cars are admitted on the grounds for viewing, with over 100 at the most recent function. Lots of food is provided by the hosts, with guests bring a covered dish to add to the expansive food tables.
Colorful fall decorations of corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds and autumn flowers adorn each building, all provided by long-time supporters David and Teresa Collier. 
Gospel music flows from the chapel, with other live musical acts in different areas for the guests’ enjoyment.
The Chalybeate School, also known as the Billy Won’t Work School, was named after a young boy that wouldn’t do his work. The structure is a replica of the school that was on the mountain from 1917 – 1940. Kathleen Hitchcock greeted visitors to the school, sharing her memories of attending the school in the 1930s and ‘40s.
“The school house is my project,” said Hitchcock. “I love this little town because it makes me feel like we go back in time.”
Folks lined up to take a tour around the complex via mule-drawn wagons, with teams coming from across middle Tennessee. A unique treat was the opportunity to ride on an authentic stagecoach provided by Yates, thrilling riders on the unusual trip. 
The General Store serves as a museum of sorts, filled with hundreds of items that could be found on the shelves of a historic store. It was manned by volunteer Pat Roberts, while her husband Kenny worked the hardware store.
“We do this because we are friends, but both Jimmy and Kenneth do this out of the goodness of their hearts,” said Pat. “I absolutely love working here in the store, talking to folks and sharing information I have learned. Today I visited with people from Wisconsin, North Carolina and Florida, and they are all excited to visit this treasure.”
Only Yates knows what the future holds for Hard Times USA, but he is planning to share his creation with others. He is offering his seven cabins for rental use, enabling guests to take a step back in time. The chapel is also suitable for weddings, and the other buildings for other functions.
Hard Times USA info can be obtained by calling 931-473-7884 or 931-473-4873; or email customconst@blomand.net.