National Park History

What were the Smokies like before the vast area became the most-visited national park in the United States? It was a popular community of settlers. They worked hard to establish a comfortable life for themselves. Their legacy lives on through preserved historical buildings. We are going to tell you about one on the North Carolina side! In this guide, learn more about the history of Palmer Chapel in Cataloochee Valley:

The Smoky Mountains were once a bustling community with lots of homesteads, and Cades Cove is home to the largest number of intact cabins built by the area’s European settlers. Thanks to the preservation efforts of the National Park Service, visitors can explore these historic structures today. Ready to learn about some Cades Cove history? Here are some unique facts about the Carter Shields Cabin:

If you're a history lover, you should go for a hike in the Smokies. A lot of the trails have expertly preserved historical cabins and other structures. Need help figuring out where to go first? We've got you covered with this list of scenic Smoky Mountain hikes with historical structures:

While Cades Cove is known for its beautiful hiking trails, the popular spot is also home to popular scenic drives as well. The main Cades Cove loop is the most well-known. However, there are a couple of roads that branch off from the main route. We are going to tell you about one of them. Here is a list of everything you need to know about the history of Parson Branch Road in Cades Cove

Great Smoky Mountains National Park could potentially increase by 638 acres with a large piece of forestland that has been acquired by a conservation project! The Foothills Land Conservancy recently shared that it has officially acquired the Oliver Tract, which borders the National Park near Townsend and Cades Cove. The conservation project plans to transfer that land to the National Park Service after a federal review and acceptance process is complete. Here are all the details about this potential 600+ acre addition to Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

Scenic drives are some of the best activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not only does it cost nothing to drive through, but you’ll be able to see incredible scenery from the comfort of your own vehicle; plus, learn some interesting facts and history about the area! If you’re exploring the NC side of the Smokies, a route a lot of people don’t know about is Lakeview Drive, The Road to Nowhere in North Carolina:

If you’re looking for a spooky tale to tell around the next campfire, one of the most terrifying Smoky Mountain legends of all time is Spearfinder! Known to local tribes as U’tlun’ta, Cherokee for “the one with the pointed spear”, this witch was described as having skin made of an impenetrable stone and one long finger sharpened to a deadly point on her left hand. With this sharpened appendage, she cut effortlessly into the flesh of her victims to extract a bloody prize! Here are more details about the Spearfinder legend of the Smoky Mountains:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only known for its stunning natural scenery and abundant wildlife, but also for an impressive collection of historic buildings that date back as far as the early 1800s! While visiting the park, you’ll find more than 90 rehabilitated buildings, including homes, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills. While these historic sites are well known and documented, there are also some unique sites in the Smokies that have almost been lost in time! Here are a few unique sites in the Great Smoky Mountains that have nearly been forgotten:

Before the Great Smoky Mountains became a national park, settlers came to the area and established communities. They built cabins, some of which are still standing today. You’ve probably heard of families such as the Olivers and the Cables who lived in Cades Cove, but have you heard of John Ownby? Here’s a brief family history and where to find the John Ownby cabin near the Sugarlands Visitor Center:

While exploring the Little River Trail in the Elkmont section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll come across a 20-foot cascade known as Huskey Branch Falls. Although the waterfall is not marked with official signage, it is about 2.1 miles from the trailhead and is easily recognizable as the trail crosses directly over it via a small wooden footbridge. The falls are named after Sam and Alice Huskey, a couple who owned and operated a historic establishment in the Sugarlands called the Skyuka Inn. Keep reading for a fascinating, nearly forgotten family history behind Skyuka Inn and Huskey Branch Falls:

Before Great Smoky Mountains National Park became a popular tourist destination, it was home to the Cherokee Indians. The people formed communities that lived life in the beautiful scenery. The National Park Service (NPS) works hard to preserve the history and legacy of the tribe, as you can see by the names of popular places. You should check them out on your next visit to the area! Keep reading to learn about a few of the places in the Smoky Mountains that are named after the Cherokee Indians:

In the years before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established and became a popular tourist destination, a lot of people built their lives here and called it home. Their legacy remains throughout the park in meaningful ways. Read on to learn more! Here is a list of 4 people who lived in the Great Smoky Mountains:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some amazing waterfalls. If you’re just beginning your hiking journey, you'll be glad to know that you don’t have to embark on a strenuous hike in order to see one of the most stunning falls. Read on to learn more about one of our favorite beginner waterfall hikes in one of the most popular areas: Cades Cove. Here is the history of Abrams Falls plus a few more interesting facts about the trail!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an abundance of historical structures that played an important role in the communities that once existed in the area, including several grist mills! These mills not only served a functional purpose of grinding grain into meal or flour, but were central gathering places where residents would socialize and barter for goods and services. While visiting the park today, you can explore these mills and may even get to see a milling demonstration! Keep reading to learn more about 4 historic grist mills and where to find them:

The Smoky Mountains National Park has a lot of rich history. You can see its remnants when you look at the structures around the area. The National Park Service has worked hard to preserve them. If you love the popular ones, such as the John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove, there is still more ground to cover. Read on to learn more before your next visit. Here is a list of 4 less-traveled places to learn about Great Smoky Mountains history: