These key figures in history crossed paths with the Smoky Mountains The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited places in the world. In fact, the mountains’ natural beauty, tourist friendly towns and interstate friendly location provide the perfect destination for a quick getaway or a longer trip. As such, it makes sense that from time-to-time
How close did the Southern Appalachian Mountains come to hosting the park that would become Disney World? A couple of years ago, we had a little fun on April Fool’s Day. I wrote a story about Disney buying the former Ghost Town in Maggie Valley with the intent of reopening it. It featured all the defunct rides that “super” fans
Looking back over the last 90 years in the Smoky Mountains As the managing editor of an Associated Press newspaper – as my day job – I have access to the AP photo archives. They are comprised of tens of thousands of archived photos marking world history going back more than 120 years. It is a treasure trove of dozens
Local recalls everything that made Ogle’s so special in Pigeon Forge Ogle’s Waterpark in Pigeon Forge was once the largest waterpark in the area with six giant water slides, a wave pool, a kid’s play area and snack stations throughout the park. For three decades, it served as a beacon summoning tourists and locals to frolic in the East Tennessee
Remembering attractions that no longer exist in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Maggie Valley The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with an estimated 12.5 million visitors annually. So it’s no surprise that entrepreneurs come to the area with high hopes of building the next big attraction to entice visitors on their way
The short-lived State of Franklin and how it reshaped Tennessee In the early days following the American Revolution, a handful of counties that had belonged to North Carolina petitioned the U.S. Government to become the 14th state, eventually seceding from the United States. The State of Franklin is an odd and strangely impactful episode of North Carolina, Tennessee and U.S.
The Civil War divided many residents of Cades Cove. It also cost the Gregory family their patriarch. When you grow up around Cades Cove, you learn the names almost by accident. You hear about places like Gregory’s Bald and Gregory’s Cave before you learn the history of the people who lived there. But then as you visit the Cove and
While Atlanta, Georgia will always be Coca-Cola’s home, the company wouldn’t be what it is today with the great state of Tennessee I realized the other day that I don’t know what the current slogan for Coca-Cola is. There was a time when you couldn’t walk five feet without being blasted by Coke or Pepsi slogans. Ray Charles’ telling me
How places like Devils Tater Patch, Stinking Creek or Mollie’s Butt were named A few years ago, I interviewed Rex Caughron. He was one of the last generations to be raised in Cades Cove and the son of Kermit Caughron, the last resident of the Cove. One of the things I asked about his favorite and or least favorite parts
In the 1930s, official plans were drawn up to turn the Cove into a reservoir Driving along the edges of East Tennessee’s lakes, there are signs that things are not always as they have been. Decaying grain silos rise inexplicably from the water and ancient roads and trails lead down to lakebeds without turning. In the days before the Tennessee Valley Authority,