tennessee – Page 2 – Smokies Guide

Fort Loudon State Park

Fort Loudon was built during the French and Indian War in hopes that it would act as a bridge between the people of South Carolina and the Cherokee. Now, the fort is a state park and historic site that offers plenty of amenities to the people that visit the park throughout the year and it is also a place of living history where people from all over the country can come and learn about the French and Indian War and that time period in history.

Fort Loudon was built by the British Colony of South Carolina in 1756. It was named for the Earl of Loudon and the people of South Carolina hoped that it would strengthen the ties between the Cherokee people and South Carolina during the French and Indian War. Though that bond was beneficial to begin with the talks with the Cherokee broke down and on August 7, 1760, the fort fell. The Cherokee razed the area to the ground and the site was forgotten for years. In fact it was not until 1917 that a memorial marker was established in the place that was once the site of Fort Loudon.

In modern times, you can visit a Fort Loudon that has been rebuilt to what it might have been like in its heyday. You get to experience the time period and through living history you get to talk to the people that worked the fort. The reenactors and volunteers make this an amazing visit for people of all ages. They not only appear in the clothes that the people of the 18^th century would have worn but they are conversant on the topic so f the day, showing crafts and skills that the people of the garrison and the communities around the fort would have possessed. If you are really interested in that time period then you might want to plan your visit to the historic site for one of the Garrison Weekends that they have throughout the year. On those weekends, they have crafters and vendors come in with 18^th century materials and they also have a mock battle between the British from the fort and the French and Indians that would raid the fort sometimes on a daily basis.

Of course, this is also a state park so there is plenty to do here besides learn about the fort. You can also play in the beautiful countryside that is East Tennessee. Most of the Fort Loudon State Park is located on an island in Tellico Lake. A boat dock, picnic areas and trails are only a few things that you will find to do. The access to Tellico lake is one of the highlights and the fishing could not be better. They even have a fishing pier that is fully handicapped accessible.

Get out in the open, spend some time outdoors. Bring the kids to the fort and let them learn about history in a whole new way. Explore the fort, do some hiking and get closer to history. Experience Fort Loudon Historic State Park.

History of Townsend, TN

The origins of Townsend, Tn can be traced back, like many area towns and cities, to the Cherokee Indian tribes that roamed the Smoky Mountain region and used them as hunting grounds before the first English settlers stepped foot here in the 1700s.

The Little River Valley and the surrounding tributary streams were called Tuckaleechee Cove at the advent of the 20^th Century. Tuckaleechee actually means “peaceful valley” and was the name given to the region by the Cherokee. It remained a “peaceful valley” for over a century. Farming in the valley made up the primary livelihood of its residents with commercial lumbering seeing a 40-year boom in between. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934, the area re-emerged as “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies”.

The Little River Lumber Company was founded in 1900 by Wilson B. Townsend and a group of fellow Pennsylvanians who had initially built the business in order to supply tanbark for a tannery located at Walland, Tn just down the road. With the purchase of nearly 80,000 acres of land, they now found themselves the proprietors of what would eventually be a large portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Traversing the region’s rugged terrain and moving the logs to the mill meant establishing some mode of transportation, thus they established the Little River Railroad Company to do just that. The railroad and the lumber company’s headquarters were located in the small village of Townsend. From here, track was laid and run deep into the Great Smoky Mountains. Each worker employed by the company, their equipment, and tools were hauled in and logs back out by the famous Shay locomotives – smaller, yet very powerful steam engines which were constructed for hauling and traveling up steep slopes such as the ones found in the Smokies.

With so much economic productivity coming out of the area, one would have thought that business would have continued to expand, and it did, but in ways you wouldn’t expect. The Smoky Mountains’ majestic vistas and views were bringing in a number of visitors that the railroad was providing easy access to. Elkmont, once a logging camp, evolved into tourist hotels to accommodate the influx of visitors. As logging activities lessened and the railroad tracks were removed, the rail beds provided the beginnings of roadways and trails into the Smoky Mountains. One example is Little River Road; it runs from Townsend all along the Little River to Sugarlands visitor’s center in Gatlinburg. Today’s Little River Road was originally the rail bed of the Little River Railroad.

By the mid-1930s, W.B. Townsend had sold most of the land he originally purchased for the railroad to the state of Tennessee. This sale provided land for the National Park Service to turn into a large portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Townsend became a primary gateway for national park visitors due to its proximity to Cades Cove and the relative closeness to the Little River, which by then had also been adopted into the national park. The park’s other main entrances – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee, North Carolina have seen its share of development with welcome centers, businesses, and other attractions springing up, most providing travel opportunities primarily unrelated to the Great Smoky Mountains and its majestic splendor, which draw thousands of visitors yearly. Unlike the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge outlets, Townsend has kept its moniker as “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies” intact. It’s still viewed as a more picturesque, natural destination for those who trip to take in the overwhelming beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Little River Railroad Museum

Venture over to Townsend and check out one of the hidden gems of the Smokies – the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company. The early history of the Smoky Mountains is on full display at the museum as visitors can come face to face to the inventive, industrious spirit of those early Smoky Mountain settlers. These frontiersmen and their families, as well as other settlers looking for new opportunities, struck their picks in an area of Appalachia eventually becoming the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The beginnings of the Little River Railroad were due partly to the changing landscape. Settlers had to adapt to their new surroundings and adapt their tools to meet the conditions they worked in. The paths they took indirectly assisted in establishing the roads that we travel today through the Smokies.

The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company museum should be a “must stop” for anyone coming through Townsend, whether on vacation or just passing through. History enthusiasts and railroad historians should definitely pay a visit. The old trains that paved their way through the Smokies are now parked for everyone to see in the museum yard – the Shay Engine, a caboose, a set of turn-of-the-century homes, and a water tower. Each was used in the Smokies as part of the early logging industry.

The Shay engine is the centerpiece of the museum and rightfully so. This was the engine that blazed the trail through the Smokies hauling log cars down the mountain to the saw mill. It also transported lumberjacks and other workers up the mountain and back to work. One could say that the Shay engine was the Little River Railroad Company’s backbone in those early years. For train enthusiasts it’s a must-see. You won’t find many of these Shay engines around now-a-days. And to find one as carefully maintained as the one at Little River, that’s a task in itself.

Don’t get too wide-eyed outside, make sure you go inside for a more detailed look at the history of the logging industry in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Elkmont pioneers and the area’s natural history are presented in the first display. Next, you’ll see the rise of the logging industry in detail, as well as the different train models that were used during logging expeditions. The inventiveness of the loggers comes into view in the museum too – designs for new types of rail cars to a swinging bridge for flatcars is detailed and highlighted. The exhibit concludes with a detailed look at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and how the lumber and railroad industries played a role in its beginnings.

The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum is as much a part of early Great Smoky Mountains National Park history as Cades Cove. Another thing is people wonder about the evolution of the land and how it was used before the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here, you see that evolution in vivid pictures. Vivid pieces of history are preserved, read about the logging industry, or just soak up the essence of early America and the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a historical experience… stop by and stay for awhile.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

Sycamore Shoals is more than just a state park, it is a state historical area that celebrates the frontier spirit and the courage of the early settlers of the United States. Now, this area lets you relive that era in history and explore the outside areas that the settlers of this region of the country fell in love with, in the 18^th century.

The historic significance of Sycamore Shoals is twofold. Number one, it was the site of the first major land purchase in the US. In 1775, this land purchase – called the Transylvania Purchase – added 20 million acres between the Cumberland River and the Kentucky River. Later, during the Revolutionary War, the Overmountain Men of the Sycamore Shoals area defeated the Loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain. The victory of this militia from the Tennessee area over the British at King’s mountain is considered by many scholars to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

To celebrate the history of Sycamore Shoals, they put on a number of special events throughout the season. Here are just a few of the events that the put on each year at this great historic site:

Colonial Kids at Fort Watauga – Designed for kids of all ages, this gives you an idea about the life of small children during the heyday of Fort Watauga and Sycamore Shoals. Games, kid’s activities and of course some black powder fun will be had by all.

Annual Siege at Fort Watauga – During the Revolutionary War the community that existed around Fort Watauga prepared for war. This event allows you to see that preparation and even a few skirmishes throughout the weekend.

Sycamore Shoals Native American Festival – This is a two-day celebration of the people that called this place home before the European settlers arrived. There are demonstrations of Cherokee arts and crafts, discussions and guest speakers.

Liberty: The Saga of Sycamore Shoals – this is the presentation of Tennessee’s official outdoor drama. Come see this taste of the life of Tennessee during the pioneer days, as the saga of the Sycamore Shoals area unfolds in play form.

Civil War Camp at Carter Mansion – Visit the recreation of a Civil War camp as it might have existed in the Sycamore Shoals area in the 1860s. Walk around the camp see demonstrations of weapons and camp life.

Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival – Celebrating the Celtic heritage of the people that settled this area, the Celtic festival at Sycamore Shoals has been going on for over a decade, drawing in thousands of visitors each year.

Overmountain Victory Trail – Two events that celebrate the muster of the troops that made up the Overmountain Men and their march through Sycamore Shoals toward the battle of King’s Mountain.

Fort Watauga Knap-In – learn how the Native Americans that called this area home made their stone tools before their introduction to steel and iron. Demonstrations of these primitives toold take place throughout the day.

Tennessee Museum of Aviation

Sevierville celebrates everything to do with Tennessee’s aviation history in the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. One of the best niche museum you will ever walk through is combined with a hangar full of aircraft give you a knowledgeable and fun way to explore the world of aviation and of course how Tennessee has figured into that history.

The museum has been lovingly curated and tells not only about the history of aviation but it also weaves in the important roles that the people of Tennessee have played in the history of aviation. From a timeline showing the evolution of aviation (this take sup an entire wall) to a wall depicting the Tennessee Hall of Fame, there is nothing like this museum. Everything it labeled and the exhibits move from one era to another, from one topic to another. It becomes very easy to know what the subject matter is and even the youngest in the family will enjoy the information they are absorbing.

The hangar is, maybe, the most exciting part of any visit to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. Most of the planes are still, airworthy aircraft that are flown on occasion. Here is a partial list of what you might see in the hangar at any one time:

1902 Wright Glider
Beechcraft SNB
Bell 222 – Airwolf
Boeing P-12E
Douglas A-1H – Skyraider
F-86 Sabrejet
MiG 17
MiG21
North American P-51D – Mustang
North American Rockwell OV-10 – Bronco
North American T-28 – Trojan
Republic P-7D – Thunderbolt
Sikorsky UH-34G
T-33

The Tennessee Museum of Aviation is located in Sevierville, TN. If you come to town from I-40, you will find yourself on Hwy 66 (Winfield Dunn Parkway). When you get to Sevierville proper, you are going to make a left hand turn onto Dolly Parton Parkway. Follow Dolly Parton Parkway through the main part of town. After you cross the turn off to Veterans Blvd, start watching for the Tennessee Museum of Aviation on the right hand side of the road. From this point, follow the signs.

The Tennessee Museum of Aviation is a great museum to learn more about the history of aviation and Tennessee heroes of aviation. Browse through the Hall of Fame, look through the exhibits and then stand in awe among some of the most famous types of plane sin the world. Remember that most of them are airworthy and that they are all marvels of the creative spirit of the aviation pioneers that invented and designed them. Spend the day with the family learning and marveling at the rich history of Tennessee in the world of flight.

Tennessee Museum of Aviation
135 Air Museum Way
Sevierville, TN
(866)-286-8738
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McKay Used Books

One of my favorite places to shop in Knoxville is McKay Used Books, CDs, Movies & More. Imagine, if you will, a library sized store selling every type of book imaginable at hugely discounted rates. Add to that, shelves of music and movies, videos games and more and you have a shopping trip that might take you half the day. Along with selling books, movies and more, they also buy used items to sell in the store. Being located centrally in Knoxville, McKay’s is always jumping and each time you return they have a brand new selection due to the turn over and the volume of customers that they see.

Makes has thousands of books. They painstakingly shelve them according to category and you can find books on almost any topic imaginable. From history books and cooks books, to text books and audio books, you can find it at McKays. It is incredible to watch the number of books that come in and out each day. Find your favorite section and then start browsing. You will find that when you look back down at your watch that hours have passed and you have found a stack of books you need to buy. Of course, becaus eof the low, low prices at McKays buying a stack of books will not break the bank.

Timeline:

1985 – Store opens in Knoxville
1993 – McKay’s storms into the used CD market
2005 – Knoxville store moves to its new location

Maybe you have some stuff you need to get rid of, pass on to the next person to enjoy. If what you have is books, movies, CDs or video games… take them to McKays. When you walk in, you will see a counter to the right hand side of the doors. Grab one of the totes at the counter and fill it with the items you brought in. Take your items to the counter and then wait for them to process the items. When they get done, they will offer you cash or credit. Choose whichever works for you and then head to the store to go shop. You get more for store credit so if you are planning on shopping at McKays and finding books, movies and music to take home then a load of your stuff will get you new stuff.

McKays is easy to find. Jump on I-40 in Knoxville. Look for the Papermill exit. When you come off the interstate, follow the signs to Papermill. You will be driving toward Kingston Pike and you will pass McKays n the left hand side of the road. So, if you are looking around for a great place to shop, a wonderful book store and a place to get a lot of loot for a little money, then McKays is your place.

McKay Used Books
230 Papermill Pl Way
Knoxville, TN
865-588-0331

The AT in the Smokies

The most hiked section of the Appalachian Trail

The southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains, with its temperate climate, slow changes in elevation and lush greenery, is a haven to hikers from around the world. People flock to the Smokies especially to spend time on any number of trails, but the trail that is most popular and the one that a lot of people want to tackle part of is the Appalachian Trail. One end of the AT starts in the Smokies, in northern Georgia. From that point you can work your way north to the heart of the Smokies in North Carolina and Tennessee, passing through state parks and national parks along the way. It is a gradual climb that will inspire both awe and a renewed sense of respect for the mountain folk and Native Americans that hiked these trails season after season in the time before their were European style cities in the area.

North Georgia

In North Georgia, you will start at Springer Mountain, one of the southern most areas of the Smokies. Technically you are in the foothills of the Smokies at this point. The gentle slopes, the gradual climb, the verdant landscapes will help to build your anticipation as you progress north. In this area, you will pass near towns and civilization. The hike takes you near several state parks with facilities that are open almost year round, depending on the weather. The North Georgia part of the AT is some of the easiest hiking that the trail has to offer. Even if you start here when it is late spring you will find that the elevation is not high enough to give you the extremely cold temps that you will encounter in the highest elevations.

Fontana Dam

One of the next high points on the trail that you will come across is Fontana Dam. At this point on the AT you have made your way into North Carolina, your second state if you are heading north from Georgia. Fontana Lake is one of those TVA created lakes that took in the small towns of Judson and Proctor (near present day Bryson City) when Fontana Dam was established in the early part of the 20th century. As the trail winds around Fontana Dam, you are going to start to gain some serious altitude. The elevation change will start to reveal a change in the wildlife and the flora around you. Just north of Fontana Lake and Dam, yes you follow the dam as you start up the mountain, you will climb until you are walking the ridge of the Great Smoky Mountains in the GSMNP. You are also walking the Tennessee / North Carolina line at this point on the trail.

Clingman’s Dome and Newfound Gap Road

The top of the world in the Smokies is Clingman’s Dome. You will go all the way to the top of this part of the mountain as you progress northward on the AT. The climb to Clingman’s Dome will take some time even for the most seasoned of hikers but the breath taking views from these peaks are like no other you will find east of the Mississippi River. As you reach the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will immediately start back down again. Soon you will arrive at the most visited portion of the GSMNP, the piece of the Appalachian Trail that starts at the Newfound Gap parking area and trailhead. From this point you can hike almost 2 miles of the AT, the most hiked portion of the 2,200 mile trail.

Roan Mountain State Park

If you were to hike from the Newfound Gap trailhead and continue northward the next focal point you are going to come to is Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee. If you happen to plan your hike through accordingly you can spend some time at the top of the mountain in the rhododendron garden while it is in bloom. Bring a camera and prepare to take a lot of pictures. With the Catawbas in bloom it is a pink and purple wonderland of color. Roan Mountain also has lots of facilities that a Thru-Hiker might need to take advantage of like campgrounds and other amenities.

Hike the various pieces of the Appalachian Trail int he Smoky Mountains. Take in the terrain and the sights and the sounds of nature from the trails that make up the AT. Hike the most hiked portion of the trail and then you too can say that you hiked the AT!

Dollywood

Don’t miss out on the Dollywood experience if you’re going to be coming through the Pigeon Forge/Great Smoky Mountains area during the summer. With a theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark all on site, there’s something for everyone.

Based in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park open nine months a year (late March through December) offering more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region.

A family-friendly vacation destination, Dollywood recently just announced the addition of the new $20 million Wild Eagle steel wing coaster, the first of its kind in the U.S, for the 2012 season. Experiencing the freedom of flight, the new coaster’s innovative floorless design positions riders seated four abreast in a forward-facing position, with two riders actually seated on the “wings” along either side of the coaster’s track with nothing but air above and below them.

The Wild Eagle raises 21 stories into the sky atop Dollywood’s highest peak. Taking off from the Wilderness Pass area, riders will experience the sensation of flight as the coaster’s massive track swoops and soars around the park. Wild Eagle reaches a top speed of 61 miles per hour and maneuvers four inversions including a giant loop, a “zero-G” roll, and a giant flat spin. The two-and-a-half minute journey also includes a 135-foot first drop. Located 210 feet above the coaster’s loading station, the ride provides spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains.

Wild Eagle is yet another one of Dollywood’s award-winning lineup of high speed roller coasters. Thunderhead, twice named the world’s best wooden coaster, consistently ranks among the best in the world. Mystery Mine, a 1,811-foot-long steel coaster, was named Theme Park Insider’s best new theme park attraction when it opened in 2007. Not to be outdone, Dollywood is a two-time Golden Ticket Award winner for Best Shows and three-time winner for Best Christmas Event.

The Barnstormer, Dollywood’s newest thrill ride, was a huge hit when it opened this past summer and is situated on a ridge alongside Craftsman’s Valley. Passengers are seated back-to-back on two giant pendulums that swing 81 feet in the air. The journey to the treetops reaches a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour and rotates 230 degrees. It’s big, red barn theme complements the Barnstormer’s barnyard setting which includes a large children’s play area. Lil’ Pilots Playground features a 22-foot by 16-foot wooden bi-plane while Granny’s Garden & Pig Pen offers play structures and water fountains.

As far as other attractions, there is no shortage of yearly festivals at Dollywood. It’s actually home to five of the South’s largest festivals including the popular BBQ & Bluegrass festival that usually runs mid-August through September.

For the Christmas holidays, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival features the wildly entertaining Christmas on Ice. The spectacular indoor ice skating production, with spins and spirals choreographed to the sounds of the holiday season, features the Ice Theater of New York. The show joins the park’s award-winning lineup of Christmastime shows, including the perennial favorite Christmas in the Smokies.

Driving Directions

Off Interstate 40, take Exit 407 toward Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.
Follow TN Hwy. 66 South which becomes US 441.
At Traffic Light No. 8 in Pigeon Forge, turn left and follow the signs to Dollywood.

GPS Navigation Systems

Use 1198 McCarter Hollow Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862 to locate Dollywood’s entrance.

Dixie Stampede

The Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies!

If there is one show that has made itself a stop for visitors to the area each and every year it is Dixie Stampede. Dixie Stampede became the second big attraction from the owners of Dollywood and Dolly Parton herself. The show is very simply a competition between the two sides of the audience with a faire amount of horsemanship thrown into boot. They also happen to serve one of the best meals that you will find in Pigeon Forge. Dixie Stampede is more than an attraction it is a destination

Dixie Stampede was the first dinner show in Pigeon Forge. Opening in 1988, it has been in the same location since that point and was one of the attractions that opened up the south end of Pigeon Forge. Before that point, the Herschend Company, that owns both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, decided that dinner show would go along well with the burgeoning attractions in Pigeon Forge. As Dollywood grew they decided to throw their hat, and the experience that they had with the live shows at Dollywood, into the growing live entertainment field on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. From the time they opened, Dixie Stampede has become one of those places that thousands of visitors to the Smokies make part of the trips to the Smoky Mountains.

Here is the premise behind the show. Once you walk in the door you will realize that you are in an indoor riding arena. The horseshoe shaped seating area covers three sides of the dirt covered ‘ stage.’ The crickets chirping and the man-made stars in the sky lend to the atmosphere. Once the action kicks off though you don’t have time to think about the scenery anymore, this high energy show will keep you on the edge of your seat. Horses, trick riding, games, competitions and plenty of music makes the time fly by. And the competition is the biggest part of the night. The idea is that the two sides of the audience are competing. Throughout most of the year, it is a competition between the North and South, during the winter months it is still the north and south but this time it is the North and South Poles. And not only is the cast involved in this competition but the members of the audience get brought down into the arena itself.

But let’s not forget the food. The food is just as big a highlight as the show. And because it is Dixe Stampede, the food is as big as the show. You get a whole rotisserie chicken, pork tenderloin, corn-on-the-cob, potato wedges, creamy vegetable soup, a biscuit and dessert. I know this sounds like a lot of food, and it is, but if you don’t finish everything they will bring you a doggy bag so that you can take the leftovers back to your hotel or cabin. The food is amazing and the fact that they can serve more than a thousand people while putting on a multi-million dollar show means that you get to watch two shows in one: the show in the arena and the show that the servers put on in the audience.

Make sure that you and your family have been to Dixie Stampede. Make it a tradition, make sure that you have fun eating in the most fun place to eat in the Smokies.

Dixie Stampede
3849 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-453-4400

Cosby, TN

“Where Mountains Reign and Rivers Roar”

Cosby is a small town located 40 minutes outside of Gatlinburg an right on the edge of the National Park. Cosby has a few attractions and places to stop that need to be on the bucket list for any frequent visitor to the Smokies. Quiet and peaceful, Cosby will surprise but everything it has to offer.

Like most of the Smokies, the Cherokee had made this area their home early in the life of their massive civilization. European settlers soon were making incursions into the area that would be Cosby and established settlements and forts. But why is it called Cosby. There are two trains of thought as to the naming of this area. One is that it was named after a trapper and distiller named Jonathan Cosby or that it was named after a Revolutionary War veteran, Dr James Cozby. Either way, it took its name from someone in the area that laid claim to the area at one point or another.

Cosby is famous for the moonshining that took place in the early 20^th century. To East Tennesseans, Cosby has been known as “The Moonshine Captial of the World.” The farmers of the area grew corn and to supplement their income they began to turn some of that corn into moonshine. The moonshine industry grew due to the fact that the coves and valleys of the mountains helped to hide the moonshiners and their stills.

Stats

5,201 population
1,055’ (average altitude)
35°49′2″N 83°14′49″W
Cocke County

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