A Look Into the History of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Logging and mining could have been the history of the Great Smoky Mountains, but the public took up the cause for turning the mountains into a national park. Today, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S. National Park System. It covers millions of acres of forest, mountains and valleys. Pigeon Forge hotels help serve the millions of tourists who visit every year. The Inn on the River in Pigeon Forge is nestled at the foot of the great mountains that provide so much natural beauty and wonder to explore.
Ann Davis pushed for the park and became one of the first elected U.S. Congresswomen. Photographers such as Knoxville’s Jim Thompson and Japanese immigrant George Masa revealed the history of the Great Smoky Mountains in their photographs. Knoxville, TN, Mayor Ben Morton became critical to the success of the park as a member of its board of directors. In Asheville, NC, newspaper editor Charles A. Webb overcame the loggers’ influence by raising public outcry.
Congress set aside the Great Smoky Mountains as a national park, but, like many parks across the country, getting the designation did not produce money for land or resources for park rangers and buildings. This came about slowly. The public raised as much money as it could during the difficult days of the depression. John D. Rockefeller contributed $5 million, and Congress appropriated $2 million. The U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps contributed by building trails and park buildings. In 1940, the park was finally dedicated.
Those who have enjoyed staying with us at The Inn on the River often return every year to revel in the splendor of the mountains that could have been damaged forever by logging but were instead preserved for all to enjoy.
We have so many wonderful memories of time spent in the Smokies. Now, it's time for you to make memories in the Smoky Mountain area too. Book your stay in one of our Pigeon Forge hotel rooms to experience the best the area has to offer!
