The Park’s abundant plant and animal life and historical significance, coupled with its accessibility, makes this park the most visited in the nation with over nine million visitors annually. GSMNP lies within 550 miles of one-third of the American population.
The idea for a national park in the Southern Appalachians began in the late 1890s, and by the mid-1920s support groups from Asheville, North Carolina and Knoxville, Tennessee pulled together for an area between the two cities. The strongest supporters of the Park, interestingly, were not hardcore conservationists but motorists who wanted to preserve the beautiful scenery through which they could drive their new cars. Eighty-five percent of the land was once held by large commercial interests - primarily lumber companies - and the remainder of the acreage was small farms and miscellaneous parcels. More than 2,000 deeds, representing lands that were purchased by the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, were transferred to federal ownership. On June 15, 1934, Congress established the national park and allowed the building of the Park's infrastructure.
Over the next 16 years, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to build many of the trails, campgrounds and beautiful stone bridges and buildings that are still enjoyed by visitors in the Park.
When President Franklin Roosevelt formally dedicated the Park in 1940, it had become a sanctuary for all the people of the country and the rest of the world to enjoy.
As stewards of significant historic resources, the Park preserves and maintains a collection of some 77 historic structures, along with preserved scenes and landscapes in five historic districts. This collection, representing a century of human history in the Appalachia region, helps to tell the story of the people who lived and worked in the Park prior to its creation.
Conservationists, backpackers, trout fishermen and motorists were among the recreational groups driving the creation of the Park. Today, those and other visitors take pleasure in the Park’s many recreational opportunities and sanctuary as a wild place. The Park’s fundamental significance lies in its extraordinary quality as a sanctuary – massive mountain ridges, deep-cleft valleys and unspoiled streams create entirely different ecosystems which are refuges for the hundreds of plants and animals species.
The Park boasts more than 1,100 front country campsites, 100 backcountry campsites, 800 miles of trails, 700 miles of streams, 11 picnic grounds, three visitor centers and numerous scenic overlooks. American black bears, deer, turkeys, flowers and other wildlife are popular with nature photographers in the Smokies. The Park’s intricate trail system provides access to view the diversity of life in the Smokies. Many salamander and plant species are found nowhere else in the world, and the forests contain more tree species than any national park.
Looking ahead, GSMNP celebrates its 75th anniversary with a special series of events and commemorations.
Smoky Mountain Timeline
1540
Hernando De Soto explores the southern Appalachian Mountains and encounters the Cherokee who had inhabited the region for centuries.
1775
Botanist William Bartram explores the southern Appalachians.
1795
Mingus and Hughes families clear homesteads in Oconaluftee River Valley.
1814
Caldwells establish first homestead in Cataloochee Valley.
Circa 1818-1821
First non-Indians settle in Cades Cove.
1819
Cherokee relinquish claim to the last of their lands in the Smoky Mountains.
1830
Population of Cades Cove is 271.
1838-39
Most of Cherokee tribe moved from Southeast to Oklahoma along the “Trail of Tears.”
1839
Oconaluftee Turnpike between Oconaluftee and Indian Gap completed.
1850
Population of Cades Cove is 685.
1861-1865
American Civil War. Mountaineers are divided in their allegiances. Raiders on both sides frequently seize food, livestock, and other supplies from residents.
Circa 1870-75
John P. Cable Mill built in Cades Cove.
1882
Little Greenbrier School built.
1886
Mingus Mill built.
1900
Population of Cades Cove is 708.
1903-4
Lumber companies set up operations on Eagle and Hazel creeks.
1908
Elkmont logging camp constructed.
1910
Population of Cataloochee is 1,251.
1913
Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders is published.
1934
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is established.
1939
Little River Lumber Company finishes cutting timber in the Tremont area.
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All information comes from the National Park System and the Dept of Tourism for Gatlinburg, TN. Any errors are ours.