Smoky Mountains .... Cades Cove

When touring The Great Smoky Mountains a must see is Cades Cove.  It is an 11 mile driving loop that follows some of the routes the settlers forged years ago.  Did you know it was once called “Kate’s Cove” after an Indian Chief’s wife?  The Cherokee Nation came back over and over due to the great hunting.  Then the European descendants made it their home for the same reason.  I would hope it was also due to the stunning valley surrounded by beautiful mountains and wildlife.  It is definitely a must see when visiting The Great Smoky Mountains.  There are several areas to stop and explore… trails, wildlife, scenery, and buildings.  It is a magical place that can take you back in time and experience the past.

Our first stop on the loop is John Oliver’s Place.  The Oliver’s settled in Cades Cove in 1826 with no Indian Treaty allowing them access.  They were lucky because the Cherokee Indians actually helped them survive their first winter.  The Calhoun Treaty took affect about a year later.  Taking a left you can visit Primitive Baptist Church that the early settlers established in 1827.  It served the community until 1887 but during the Civil War; public unrest shut the church down.  Next on the loop is the Methodist Church.  Reportedly the building and it furnishings were made by J.D. McCampbell.  He was a blacksmith and carpenter, and it is said he built the church in 115 days for $115 (I wish we could build a house for that!).  He later became a preacher and served his community.

The Missionary Baptist Church is the next stop in the loop.  It was formed in 1839 when some of the members of the Primitive Baptist Church favored missionary work.   The other members believed there was no biblical basis that supports missionary work.   When they couldn’t agree the Missionary Baptist Church was formed.   To the right you will find Rich Mountain Road.  This road was built by the state in the 1920’s, but once was an Indian trail.  It is a 12 mile trek which takes you to an incredible view at the top of the path.  If you like to hike then Cooper Road Trail is right up your alley.  This trail once was a path for wagons, and now it is a 10 mile hiking trail that ends near the Foothills Parkway.

Elijah Oliver Place is our next stop.  Elijah was born in Cades Cove in 1824 to John and Luraney the first settlers in the cove.  It is at the end of a half-mile hiking trail.  There is a smokehouse barn and springhouse to explore.  Our next adventure back in time takes us to the Cable Mill Area. It features the Visitor Center, the blacksmith shop, cantilever barn, smokehouse, Gregg-Cable house, and a corn crib and the John Cable Mill.  The mill is still working and you can stop and purchase corn mill and flour as settlers once did.   A little further up the trail is the Henry Whitehead Place.  It was built in the late 1800’s.

A great place to stretch your legs is the half mile Nature Trail.  Up on your right is Dan Lawson Place which was built in 1856.  The small outbuildings were sometime used as pantries and smokehouses.  If you love honey you will like our next stop.  The Tipton Place has a bee gum stand.  Our final stop and last chance to see the past is the Carter Shields Cabin.