They used a popular footpath called Indian Gap Trail to follow and hunt the prolific game that lived in the forests and coves of the Great Smoky Mountains. Apart from Cherokee hunters, the only Europeans that inhabited this area before the s were fur trappers and traders also traversed and camped along these parts sporadically. In a time when exploring the wilderness was a lonely and often frightening endeavor one woman bravely took her family to the land that her deceased husband had wished for her to go.
This would eventually become the town known as Gatlinburg. Ogle had long been enamored of. They all made the journey back to the Smoky Mountain area and found the logs William had cut and prepared. Shortly after their arrival they erected a cabin near the confluence of Baskins Creek and the West Fork of the Little Pigeon.
The cabin still stands today near the heart of Gatlinburg. More settlers began to move to the area after the War of Many of these veterans had received land deeds for 50 acre tracts in the area for their war service. Timothy Reagan c. The original inhabitants of the land named it White Oak Flats for the abundance of the stately trees that seemed to surround them in the mountains. Surnames such as Whaley, McCarter, Trentham and Reagan began appearing around those parts as more people came to carve out a niche for themselves in the great forest.
In Radford C. Gatlin was a controversial figure in the community, a democrat in a republican community, who not only owned the general store but sidelined as an exuberant preacher.
Though the town still bears his name, Gatlin remained a contentious figure and due to a series of local disputes, confederate leanings in a pro-union town, and reasons that remain unclear Gatlin was eventually forced to leave the town. Nevertheless the town still carries his namesake into the 21st century and beyond. Times were hard in the first hundred years but the mountain people were tough, even when war broke out all around them.
Only a handful decided to join the cause and fight in the Civil War. Like many Smoky Mountain communities Gatlinburg held a strong anti-slavery stance. However, in spite of their pro-Union stance, Gatlinburg attempted to remain neutral during the Civil War. Gatlinburg was briefly occupied by a company of Confederate troops led by Colonel William Holland Thomas who were trying to protect the natural saltpeter mines near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. With the invention of the band saw and the logging railroad, the lumber industry experienced a massive boom in the s.
As forests throughout the Southeastern US began being harvested at rapid rates, companies were forced to push deeper into areas of the Appalachian Mountains seeking timber. The logging industry came to the Gatlinburg area in when local figure Andrew Jackson Huff opened a sawmill in Gatlinburg. For a few decades they brought their own men and enlisted some of the Gatlinburg folk as well to hew the tall trees, but changing economic times and new areas to get timber lured them away from the area.
Shortly after Colonel W. Despite his success in the area, Gatlin was highly disliked by town residents because of his outspoken nature and a very public feud with the Ogle family. Even after the town name change, it is said that Gatlin was banished because of his political beliefs. In , Mr. Maples, Sr. He then moved his family to Gatlinburg and built the original structure that would grow to become the Historic Gatlinburg Inn.
To this day, the inn remains in the hands of the descendants of the Maples family and is the only one of the original town hotels still remaining. In , the Gatlinburg SkyLift opened up, immediately becoming a huge hit with tourists, many of whom still return annually to take the ride up Crockett Mountain for the best view in Gatlinburg. It was built on land right next to and owned by the same family who owned the Historic Gatlinburg Inn.
In , massive wildfires swept through Gatlinburg, destroying many properties, burning thousands of acres of land, and displacing thousands of residents and tourists. The citizens and business people in the area banded together to quickly rebuild. Today you can still see remnants of the fire, but tourism into Gatlinburg has returned stronger than ever. Known for its convenience to entertainment venues such as Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg continues to be an annual draw for people of all ages and interests.
Over 11 million people every year choose to spend their vacations in Gatlinburg, surrounded by the beauty, culture, and quiet drama of the Smoky Mountains. Whether you wish to tour Country Music Theaters, outlet malls, The Gatlinburg Aquarium, or spend a day hiking in the Smoky Mountains, you'll find that there is always something new and exciting to pique your family's interest.
Kids will love the roller coasters other rides at the many amusement parks in and around Gatlinburg, as well as the cloud-chasing trams, scary ghost shows, and miniature golf. Mom and dad can relax and enjoy a delectable meal in one of the many dinner theaters, replete with award-winning, live entertainment.
All of this is just minutes away from the cabin hideaways and luxury lodges nestled in the serene, foliate arms of the Great Smoky Mountains and offered by American Patriot Getaways. Bring your family to see the abundance of beauty, shopping, and entertainment for yourself! Within this walking community are family attractions and things to do in Gatlinburg at nearly every turn. Enjoy downhill snow skiing at Ober Gatlinburg, rafting Class IV whitewater, golf, hiking options from miles of trails, and fishing in hundreds of miles of streams: the entertainment of the Great Smoky Mountains is both exhilarating and close by.
Explore other great Gatlinburg attractions at one of its unique museums, craftsmen fair, miniature golf courses, or motion simulators, or enjoy go karts or bumper cars, Ripley's Aquarium, haunted houses, or ride the sky lift up the mountain. Everywhere you turn, you'll find plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg , TN! There are so many great reasons to visit Gatlinburg throughout the year! Some of these are explained below, by season.
Generally speaking, weekends are much busier than weekdays, and holiday periods are very active. The county is currently working on solution for this congestion that should be completed very soon.
Be comfortable The most important thing you'll bring will be your walking shoes. Tennis, running, loafers, or hiking shoes are the norm — even if you don't get near a hiking trail, you'll likely walk four or more miles per day. The night mountain breeze can feel cool, even in the summer, so a light jacket or sweater might come in handy. As for attire, casual is what the mountains are all about!
Even the finest restaurants, and there are plenty, love the comfortable look! Incidentally, folks from Tennessee really DO wear shoes! Springtime in the Smokies! Try to imagine being surrounded by the lush new growth of the forest, delicate wildflowers of all colors, crisp waterfalls of melted snow, and newborn wildlife awakened to bask in the bounty of freshness.
There's no better place to satisfy a case of spring fever than in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg knows its place in the mountains and strives to provide the visitor with a park-like feel along its streets and sidewalks, aided greatly by the full-time staff that oversees the City's year-round flower program.
Beginning in March, visitors witness Gatlinburg's transformation into spring when the city's streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooms and flowering bulbs.
Live entertainment can be found along the city sidewalks, adding a festive flair to the time-honored Downtown Parkway stroll. Spring break is a popular time to visit, and can last a full six weeks from March through mid-April, based upon various geographic markets' school schedules.
Gatlinburg's in full swing, and the nearby major theme parks and theaters are open on abbreviated schedules, so you won't be lacking for something to do!
School's out and summer's here! Summer vacation travel to Gatlinburg and the Smokies is a new experience for some couples and families, but to most it's an every-year pilgrimage!
There's just something especially inviting for each member of the family, and collectively for the entire family as well. Outdoor activities abound! For the sports enthusiast, there's hiking, fly fishing, cycling, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, just to name a few.
And don't forget the picnic basket! Grab an inner tube and ask a local about their favorite swimmin' holes in those sparkling mountain streams, or just dangle your feet from a streamside stone… even on the warmest summer days, the water's cold!
Entertainment parks and attractions provide days and nights of laughter and excitement as well, and numerous of them are indoor activities, just in case you get caught in one of those cooling summer showers.
Shops and the crafts community offer extended operating hours, just so you'll have time to get it all in. Quieter periods during summer are the first two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August, with a slight lull the last two weeks of July.
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