Certain things come to mind when you think of Gatlinburg, like outdoor excursions and the Great Smoky Mountains. However, Gatlinburg, TN, is steeped in history, and there is no shortage of ways to discover this history during your stay at The Park Vista. Not only is our hotel close to some of the best museums that work to preserve local history, but it’s also close to preserved historical sites.
A Checklist of Fascinating Historical Sites near Gatlinburg
Throughout the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and surrounding area are buildings that have withstood the test of time. There are over 90 preserved or restored historic structures within the park alone. Exploring these historic sites and buildings can help paint a picture of how Gatlinburg came to be what it is today.
- Found in the Little Greenbrier area of the park, the Walker Sisters Place is a log cabin built in the 1840s. The property was left to the sisters after their father died, and they spent more than 40 years taking on the farm responsibilities.
- Cades Cove is a valley filled with history. At one point in time, Cherokee Indians hunted here, and the first Europeans settled in this valley between 1818 and 1921. The valley has the widest variety of historic buildings out of all the areas in the park, including three churches, log houses, and a working grist mill.
- What was once a bustling logging town turned vacation destination is now known as the Elkmont Ghost Town. Once the national park was created, seasonal residents of Elkmont were given lifetime leases, but many of those expired in 1992. Today, the park service is working to restore and preserve 19 buildings.
- Built in the late 19th century, the Noah “Bud” Ogle Cabin was once a homestead for Bud Ogle. The cabin consisted of two buildings with a chimney, barn, and tubmill. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
- The Little Greenbrier School served as both a school and church from about 1883 to 1936. The building is still a place of learning as today school groups can visit the building and learn about the Smoky Mountains.
Discover a New Side of Gatlinburg
From learning about local history at nearby sites to taking in views from helicopter rides, there’s something to come across everywhere you look in Gatlinburg, TN. Be close to everything that makes this town unique by staying at The Park Vista.
Our hotel is made up of 300 accommodating guest rooms and suites, and all have breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Every room comes with a private balcony to give you the best view possible. Be sure to enjoy our on-site activities like the swimming pool to make the most of your stay. For more information about our Gatlinburg hotel and special offers, call 1-800-421-PARK.
