Herman E. Baggenstoss South Cumberland State Park records

Herman E. Baggenstoss, a conservationist, was born at Tracy City, Tennessee on October 29, 1903. He was the son of Swiss settlers, of whom operated a bakery in the city. He was educated in local schools and at Falls Business College in Nashville. He studied forestry at the University of the South. Baggenstoss served in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II. In the 1930s, Baggenstoss was the superintendent of the Civilian Conservation Corps Grundy Camp. He was owner and editor of the Grundy County Herald and the Dunlap Tribune as well as being active in the Baggenstoss family bakery business. In 1935 he began his conservation efforts by helping raise funds for and lobby the legislature for the creation of the Grundy State Forest. He helped organize the Grundy County Wildlife Federation, served as Executive Secretary and President of the Tennessee Federation of Sportsmen, the forerunner of the Tennessee Conservation League. He was the president of the American Forest Association, Forest Famers Association, Tennessee Outdoor Writers Association, and “Keep Tennessee Green.” He was founder and Chairman of the Grundy County Conservation Board and was instrumental in raising interest in acquiring Savage Gulf, Hawkins Cove and numerous other wild and scenic areas for the South Cumberland Recreation Area. Mr. Baggenstoss continued to be active in conservation issues until his death in 1992.