Long before it became Center Hill Marina, this corner of Center Hill Lake was known as Cove Hollow Boat Dock, and later Cove Hollow Marina.
Its history is closely tied to the creation of Center Hill Lake itself. Construction of Center Hill Dam began in 1942, was suspended during World War II, and resumed in 1946. The dam was completed for flood-control operations in November 1948, creating the reservoir along the Caney Fork River. Recreation quickly became an important part of life on the new lake.
Before Center Hill Lake
The name Cove Hollow predates the lake by well over a century. The surrounding community was settled by the early 1800s, with members of the Dill family living there by 1808. Cove Hollow had a Baptist church by 1814 and later a store, post office and school.
In the 1920s, Edgar Evins — for whom nearby Edgar Evins State Park would later be named — reportedly brought a battery-powered projector to the Cove Hollow school and showed movies to local residents for ten cents admission. Portions of the old community were later covered by Center Hill Lake, although higher areas of Cove Hollow remained.
The Beginning of Cove Hollow Boat Dock
As boating and fishing grew on the newly created reservoir, Cove Hollow developed into one of Center Hill Lake’s early recreational destinations. Local historical records note that Anvel J. Hayes Jr. and his wife, Helen, operated Cove Hollow Boat Dock successfully for many years.
Tennessee Department of Conservation records document Cove Hollow Boat Dock as early as the 1950s and again in 1967, preserving an important record of the marina during the first decades of recreation on Center Hill Lake.
From Cove Hollow to Center Hill Marina
Over the decades, the small boat dock grew into a much larger marina, but the Cove Hollow name never completely disappeared.
Today, the property is known as Center Hill Marina, located at 450 Cove Hollow Circle in Lancaster. The modern marina has grown to more than 650 slips along with boat rentals, houseboats, cabins, a ship store and waterfront dining.
More than 75 years after Center Hill Lake was created, Cove Hollow remains a destination for people coming to boat, fish and spend their summers on the water — continuing a tradition that began during the lake’s earliest years.
