With an estimated population of 8,000 in 2011, the small city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee carries a rich history that reaches back to the pre-Civil War era. Along with being a popular vacation resort, Gatlinburg is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Many historic buildings dating back to the area's first settlers still stand in present-day Gatlinburg.
With the abundance of trees and forests in the area, the lumber industry became a prime source of income for the city. In an effort to preserve Gatlinburg's natural landscape, state government instituted the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
First Settlers
Gatlinburg, Tennessee was home to the Native American Cherokee Indians when then the first settlers arrived at the start of the 1800's. The Ogleby's -who eventually changed their name to Ogle--were the first family to settle in Gatlinburg. Originally from Edgefield, South Carolina, William Ogle began the building of a cabin then traveled back to Edgefield to bring his family to Gatlinburg.
A malaria epidemic in Edgefield claimed the life of William Ogle leaving his wife Martha and seven children to make the journey to Gatlinburg. Martha's brother, Peter Huskey went along with the Ogle family to become the first official settlers in the city. The family built a second cabin near what's now known as Baskins Creek and Little Pigeon, which still stands today at the center of Gatlinburg.
Ten years after the arrival of the Ogle's, more settlers moved into Gatlinburg in an area that came to be known as White Oak Flats. Most of the new settlers were veterans from the War of 1812. As a reward for their service, these veterans received land deeds to 50-acre tracts of land in the Gatlinburg area. Many descendants from this group of settlers -the Reagans, the Ownbys and the Bohanons-still live in the city of Gatlinburg to this day.
Civil War Era
Around the mid-1800's, a Baptist preacher by the name of Radford C. Gatlin set up a general store and post office in White Oaks Flats shortly after settling in the area in 1854. With the founding of the first post office, the city then took on the name of Gatlinburg, so named after the Baptist preacher.
Interestingly enough, Radford C. Gatlin was a contentious figure and was eventually run out of Gatlinburg in 1859, just before the start of the Civil War. A family feud between the Ogles and the Gatlins over re-routing the town's main road became a source of controversy between Gatlin and the townsfolk. As the Civil War ran its course, Gatlin became known as a Confederate sympathizer in spite of the town's pro-Union stance. This coupled with his feud with the Ogle's resulted in the Gatlin family leaving town.
In spite of their pro-Union stance, Gatlinburg tried to remain neutral during the war much like its neighboring Smoky Mountain communities. For a brief period, a Confederate troop -led by Colonel William Holland Thomas-laid claim to Gatlinburg in an attempt to protect the natural salt peter mines near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Colonel Thomas' company was eventually run out by federal troops sent down from Knoxville Tennessee.
Gatlinburg Developments
Gatlinburg's lumber industry grew by leaps and bounds during the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. The Little River Lumber Company, founded by Colonel W.B. Townsend and a huge local sawmill, owned by Andrew Jackson Huff generated a steady stream of income into the town. During this time, tourists began to frequent Gatlinburg drawn by the writings of authors, Mary Noailles Murfree and Horace Kephart who wrote extensively on the beauty of Gatlinburg's natural landscapes.
Concerns surrounding the lumber industry's effects on Gatlinburg's forest lands led conservationists to petition Congress to protect the city's natural resources. Congress eventually passed the Weeks Act in 1911, which allowed the federal government to purchase land for the purpose of preserving the environment. In 1926, the government purchased 76,000 acres of land from the Little River Lumber Company. By 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was founded.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee's tourist industry took off during the 1920's and 1930's leading to the opening of tourist resorts, such as the Mountain View Hotel and the LeConte Lodge. To this day, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains a popular tourist attraction in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is a very unique vacation destination that is fun for the whole family. With so much to offer you never run out of activities and nature to see. There are numerous hotels, lodges, cabins, resorts and condos to choose from. Plan your Gatlinburg vacation today and see this unique piece of Tennessee history.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق