National Register of Historic Places listings in Great Smoky Mountains National Park facts for kids
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a huge and beautiful park in North Carolina and Tennessee. It's not just famous for its amazing nature, but also for its important history! Many old buildings and places inside the park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect places that are important to American history and culture.
There are 19 historic places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are on this list. These places include old cabins, schools, churches, and even a fire lookout tower. They tell stories about the people who lived here long ago and how they built their lives in the mountains. When you visit these spots, you can imagine what life was like for the early settlers and learn about the park's past.
Contents
- Historic Places in the Smokies
- Mayna Treanor Avent Studio
- Cades Cove Historic District
- Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
- Alex Cole Cabin
- Elkmont Historic District
- Hall Cabin
- King-Walker Place (Walker Sisters Place)
- Little Greenbrier School-Church
- Look Rock Observation Tower
- Tyson McCarter Place
- Messer Barn
- Mingus Mill
- Mount Cammerer Fire Lookout
- Bud Ogle Farm (Noah Ogle Place)
- Oconaluftee Archeological District
- Oconaluftee Baptist Church
- Oconaluftee Ranger Station
- John Ownby Cabin
- Roaring Fork Historic District
Historic Places in the Smokies
Mayna Treanor Avent Studio
This small log cabin was once the art studio of Mayna Treanor Avent, a talented artist. She used this quiet spot near Elkmont to paint beautiful pictures of the mountains. The studio was added to the National Register in 1994. It's a great example of how artists found inspiration in nature.
Cades Cove Historic District
Cades Cove is a wide, green valley surrounded by mountains. It's one of the most popular places in the park! Many early settlers lived here, and you can still see their old log cabins, barns, and churches. The entire area was recognized as a historic district in 1977. It shows how mountain communities lived and worked many years ago.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains. At the very top, there's a unique observation tower that looks like a spiral ramp. From here, you can see amazing views of the mountains stretching for miles. The tower was built in 1959 and added to the National Register in 2012 because of its special design and importance to the park.
Alex Cole Cabin
The Alex Cole Cabin is an old log cabin located south of Gatlinburg. It's a simple, traditional mountain home that shows how early settlers built their houses. This cabin was listed on the National Register in 1976, helping to preserve a piece of the past.
Elkmont Historic District
The Elkmont Historic District is another important area in the park. It used to be a logging town and then a popular resort area with many vacation cabins. These cabins show a different side of mountain life, where people came to relax and enjoy nature. The district was added to the National Register in 1994.
Hall Cabin
The Hall Cabin is located northeast of Fontana in the park. It's another example of a traditional log cabin built by early mountain residents. It was listed on the National Register in 1976.
King-Walker Place (Walker Sisters Place)
The King-Walker Place is better known as the Walker Sisters Place. Five sisters lived in this remote cabin for many years, even after the park was created. They lived a simple life, farming and making everything they needed. Their home, west of Gatlinburg, was added to the National Register in 1976. It tells a unique story of self-sufficiency.
Little Greenbrier School-Church
This building served as both a school and a church for the local community. It's a great example of how mountain communities shared resources. Located west of Gatlinburg, it was listed on the National Register in 1976. It reminds us of the importance of education and faith in early mountain life.
Look Rock Observation Tower
The Look Rock Observation Tower is found along the Foothills Parkway. Similar to Clingmans Dome, it offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape. This tower was built to help visitors enjoy the beauty of the Smokies. It was added to the National Register in 2017.
Tyson McCarter Place
The Tyson McCarter Place is an old farmstead located east of Gatlinburg. It includes a cabin and other buildings that show how a mountain family lived and farmed. This historic site was listed on the National Register in 1976.
Messer Barn
The Messer Barn is a historic barn located southeast of Gatlinburg. Barns were very important for farming families, used for storing crops and housing animals. This barn was added to the National Register in 1976.
Mingus Mill
Mingus Mill is a historic grist mill located near Cherokee. A grist mill uses water power to grind corn and other grains into flour. It was a vital part of mountain communities. This mill was listed on the National Register in 2016.
Mount Cammerer Fire Lookout
The Mount Cammerer Fire Lookout is a unique stone tower on top of Mount Cammerer. Fire lookouts were used to spot wildfires in the forest, helping to protect the park. This lookout, near Cosby, was added to the National Register in 2019.
Bud Ogle Farm (Noah Ogle Place)
The Bud Ogle Farm, also known as the Noah Ogle Place, is a historic farm southeast of Gatlinburg. It includes a cabin and a barn, showing how a complete farm operated in the mountains. It was listed on the National Register in 1977.
Oconaluftee Archeological District
This district near Cherokee is a special area because it contains important archeological sites. These sites hold clues about the ancient people who lived in this region long before European settlers arrived. Because of its sensitive nature, the exact address is restricted. It was added to the National Register in 1982.
Oconaluftee Baptist Church
The Oconaluftee Baptist Church, also known as Smokemont Baptist Church, is located north of Cherokee. Churches were central to community life in the mountains. This church was listed on the National Register in 1976.
Oconaluftee Ranger Station
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The Oconaluftee Ranger Station is an important building for the park's operations. It serves as an administration building and a place where rangers work. Located near Cherokee, it was added to the National Register in 2016.
John Ownby Cabin
The John Ownby Cabin is another historic log cabin located south of Gatlinburg. It represents the simple, sturdy homes built by early settlers in the area. This cabin was listed on the National Register in 1976.
Roaring Fork Historic District
The Roaring Fork Historic District is an area southeast of Gatlinburg that contains several historic buildings. It's like an outdoor museum, showing a collection of old cabins, a grist mill, and other structures. This district was added to the National Register in 1976.
