National Register of Historic Places listings in Sevier County, Tennessee facts for kids
Imagine a special list that helps protect important places in the United States. This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that have a lot of history or are very special in some way. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized as a part of our country's heritage and should be preserved.
This article is about the amazing historic places in Sevier County, Tennessee, that are on this important list. Sevier County is home to many interesting spots, from old cabins in the mountains to historic buildings in towns. There are 38 places in Sevier County currently on the National Register. Two places were once on the list but have since been removed.
Exploring Sevier County's Historic Treasures
Sevier County has many different kinds of historic places. Let's explore some of them!
Amazing Buildings and Homes
Many of the places on the list are old buildings that tell us about how people lived and worked long ago.
Old Mills and Churches
- Pigeon Forge Mill: This old mill in Pigeon Forge was built a long time ago. It's a great example of how people used to grind grain. It was added to the list in 1975.
- New Salem Baptist Church: Located in Sevierville, this church was built in 1886 by a skilled African-American brick mason named Isaac Dockery. It's an important part of the community's history. It joined the list in 2003.
- Headrick's Chapel: This chapel on Wears Valley Road in Harchertown is a beautiful historic church that was listed in 2001.
- First Methodist Church, Gatlinburg: This church in Gatlinburg was added to the list in 2007. It's a significant building in the heart of the town.
- Shults Grove Methodist Church: Found in Cosby, this church became a historic listing in 2016.
Grand Houses and Plantations
Several old homes and estates in Sevier County are also on the National Register.
- Riley H. Andes House: This house near Sevierville was listed in 1980.
- Brabson's Ferry Plantation: Northwest of Sevierville, this plantation was added to the list in 1975.
- Buckingham House: West of Sevierville, this house has been on the list since 1971.
- Rose Glen: East of Sevierville, this historic home was listed in 1975.
- Dwight and Kate Wade House: Built in 1940, this house in Sevierville was designed by a New York architect and was listed in 1997.
Important Public Buildings
Some buildings are important because of their role in the community or government.
- Sevier County Courthouse: The courthouse in Sevierville is a very important building where local government happens. It was added to the list in 1971.
- US Post Office-Sevierville: This building, where people send and receive mail, was listed in 1997.
- Sevierville Masonic Lodge: This lodge building in Sevierville has been a historic site since 1980.
Historic Districts and Communities
Sometimes, a whole area or group of buildings is important enough to be listed together as a "historic district." These districts show how a community used to look and function.
Elkmont Historic District
The Elkmont Historic District is located southwest of Gatlinburg in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a special area that shows what early mountain communities and resorts were like. It was listed in 1994.
Roaring Fork Historic District
Also in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, southeast of Gatlinburg, the Roaring Fork Historic District was listed in 1976. This area includes several historic buildings and shows how people lived in the mountains.
Sevierville's Old Downtown
- Sevierville Commercial Historic District: This district includes parts of Bruce Street, Court Avenue, and Commerce Street in Sevierville. It shows what the town's business area looked like in the past. It was listed in 1986.
- Thomas Addition Historic District: This area in Sevierville, roughly bounded by Park Road, Belle Avenue, Cedar Street, Grace Avenue, and Prince Street, was listed in 1994.
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg has two historic districts on the list. These districts show the campus of a "settlement school" that was started by the Pi Beta Phi sorority. These schools helped people in rural areas learn important skills.
- Settlement School Community Outreach Historic District: This part of the campus was listed in 2007.
- Settlement School Dormitories and Dwellings Historic District: This area, where students and teachers lived, was also listed in 2007.
Keener-Johnson Farm
This farm in Seymour was listed as a historic district in 1999. It represents the history of farming in the area.
Perry's Camp
Located in Gatlinburg, Perry's Camp was listed in 1992.
Cabins and Natural Wonders
Sevier County is famous for its beautiful natural areas, especially the Great Smoky Mountains. Some historic places are found right in the park!
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is a famous landmark at the top of Clingmans Dome, near Gatlinburg. This tower offers amazing views and was listed in 2012. It's also partly in Swain County, North Carolina.
Old Cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains
Many historic cabins and homes are preserved within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, showing how early settlers lived.
- Alex Cole Cabin: South of Gatlinburg, this cabin was listed in 1976.
- King-Walker Place: West of Gatlinburg, this place was listed in 1976.
- Little Greenbrier School-Church: About 9 miles west of Gatlinburg, this unique building served as both a school and a church. It was listed in 1976.
- Tyson McCarter Place: East of Gatlinburg, this place was listed in 1976.
- Messer Barn: Southeast of Gatlinburg, this barn was listed in 1976.
- Bud Ogle Farm: Southeast of Gatlinburg, this farm was listed in 1977.
- John Ownby Cabin: South of Gatlinburg, this cabin was listed in 1976.
Harrisburg Covered Bridge
South of Harrisburg, this historic covered bridge crosses the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River. Covered bridges are rare and special, and this one was listed in 1975.
Walker Mill Hydroelectric Station
This station on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River near Sevierville was listed in 1990. It's an example of how electricity was generated in the past.
Places That Used to Be Listed
Sometimes, a place is removed from the National Register. This usually happens if the building is changed too much, or if it is torn down.
Mountain View Hotel
The Mountain View Hotel in Gatlinburg was once on the National Register, listed in 1984. However, it was removed from the list in 1999.