Cadiz combines small-town charm with natural beauty
The small city of Cadiz east of Lake Barkley attracts tourists and homebuyers alike thanks to its proximity to national parks and other outdoor attractions. “Cadiz is a hidden gem,” says Eunice Stone, a real estate agent with Lakeland Realty, a lifelong resident. "We have a diverse community – a mix of people that have moved here to retire or to raise their families as well as local people that have been here for generations."
The Trigg County Seat was established as an agricultural community and eventually became a center for ham production in the 1930s. Today, the annual Ham Festival is celebrated every October. Cadiz is also within commuting distance to Fort Campbell on the Tennessee border, which has attracted military members and retirees to this city of over 2,500 residents.
A mix of housing styles is available with reasonable HOA costs
Home options here include manufactured, cottage-styles, ranch-styles and New Traditionals. Housing closer to downtown is typically on gridded streets with smaller lots and oak trees accenting lawns. Some subdivisions have no tree cover. Lakeside dwellings can have more acreage and private docks.
The median price is about $225,000, lower than the national and state medians. However, some properties cost more than $1 million, especially near the lake. Stone also says that HOAs are present, with some fees reaching $500 a year.
Lake Barkley and The Land Between the Lakes Park are adjacent to Cadiz
Lake Barkley, just east of downtown, spans over 57,000 acres. Lake Barkley State Resort Park also has campsites, a beach and trails for guests. The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, 12 miles east, has multiple attractions, including a planetarium, several campgrounds, a working farm and off-road vehicle trails.
Green spaces in town include West City Park, which has a disc golf course and a playground. The Trigg County Recreation Complex offers multiple baseball diamonds and soccer fields. The Janice Mason Art Museum, has a rotating series of exhibits and displays works from both regional and global artists.
The Arrowhead Golf Club is open to the public and has an 18-hole, 6,500-yard course. The Boots Randolph Golf Course at Lake Barkley State Resort Park has a 6,700-yard Par 72 layout. The community also hosts the Trigg County Ham Festival every October, offering carnival rides, street vendors, a canoe race and the state’s largest ham biscuit.
Trigg County Schools are the main public school district
Students can attend Trigg County Schools, rated B on Niche. They can start at Trigg County Primary and continue onto Trigg County Intermediate, both graded B-minus. Trigg County Middle and Trigg County High, both receive B-minuses while the high school offers college-level courses in accounting, agriculture and biology. Inter-district transfers are allowed via application and dependent upon staffing and availability.
Shopping and dining on Main Street and U.S. Highway 68
Restaurants are primarily along Main Street, Canton Road or U.S. Highway 68 and include chains and locally owned spots. The Cadiz Family Restaurant serves southern cuisine and has a buffet. El Bracero offers Mexican Dishes. Triplets BBQ has brisket, pork and chicken.
Downtown has several antique shops and boutiques. Dollar General and Food Giant are on Main Street, while Hancock’s Neighborhood Market is on Merchant Street. More big box retailers are in Hopkinsville, roughly 20 miles east.
Weather and flooding in Cadiz
According to the maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is a risk of flooding downtown. However, dams on the lake help manage any potential flooding risk. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls the water depth of Lake Barkley and they have an easement around the perimeter of the lake," says Stone. "The USACE doesn't allow building in the easement zones so this prevents home flooding by Lake Barkley." Tornadoes and other severe storms can also be factors.
Stone also says that Cadiz experiences all four seasons. "Winter is expected to be cold, but the other seasons offer a great, relatively mild climate," she says.
Interstate 24 and U.S 68 are the main transit arteries
Cadiz does not have any public transit connections and is car-dependent. The entrance to Interstate 24 is east of downtown on U.S. 68, which also connects to downtown Hopkinsville. Barkley Regional Airport is 64 miles west while Nashville International is 91 miles southeast. Trigg County Hospital is located on Main Street.
