Pittman Center, Tennessee Facts for Kids

Pittman Center is a small town in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. It's home to about 454 people, based on the 2020 census. The town is very close to Gatlinburg and the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A main road, U.S. 321, goes right through the town.

A special part of Pittman Center is Emert's Cove. This is a wide valley along the Middle Fork of the Little Pigeon River. The town's history and how people make a living are closely connected to the nearby Smoky Mountains.

Did you know that the famous American country music singer Dolly Parton was born here?

History of Pittman Center
- The Pittman Community Center School
- Becoming a Town
Geography and Location
Population of Pittman Center
Economy and Tourism
Education in Pittman Center
Famous People from Pittman Center
Images for kids
See also

History of Pittman Center

Long ago, the area known as Emert's Cove was a hunting ground for the Cherokee people. After some conflicts between the Cherokee and early settlers, a deal was made. In 1785, the Cherokee signed the Treaty of Dumplin Creek. This agreement gave the land that is now Sevier County to the new State of Franklin.

One of the first European-American families to move into this new area was Frederick Emert (1754–1829) and his family. They arrived sometime between 1785 and 1793. Frederick Emert was born in Pennsylvania. He fought in the American Revolutionary War for the Continental Army. In 2000, the people of Pittman Center built the Emert's Cove Covered Bridge to honor him.

Other settlers came to Emert's Cove around the same time as Emert. One important person was Johan Martin Shultz (1740–1787). He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War. He fought alongside Emert and John Sevier in a group called the "Overmountain Men." Martin S.E. Shultz, Johan's son, later married Frederick Emert's daughter, Barbara Ann.

Another early settler was Daniel Wesley Reagan (1803–1892). His family was among the first to settle in what is now Gatlinburg. Many people living in Pittman Center today are related to these first families.

The Pittman Community Center School

In 1910, a study showed that Sevier County needed more schools. Even though a special school was started in Gatlinburg in 1912, education was still a big problem. Dr. John Burnett, a Methodist minister, visited the Smoky Mountains in 1919. He had an idea for a large school that would be very affordable.

Later that year, the Methodist Episcopal Church supported Dr. Burnett's plan. With help from Reverend Eli Pittman, they raised $15,000 for the project. In 1920, Dr. Burnett bought a farm. This land became the main part of the new school's campus.

In late 1920, Dr. Burnett's new school opened. He named it "Pittman Community Center" to honor Reverend Pittman. About 100 students enrolled at first. The school grew to include 15 buildings and 240 students. It even had a general store, a post office, and a small hospital. The students helped run the school by canning tomatoes and growing apples.

In 1955, the local school board bought the Pittman School. It later joined with another school in Gatlinburg to form Gatlinburg-Pittman High School in 1963. Today, only one building from the original Pittman school remains. It was once the Home Economics building. Now, it serves as the town's city hall. In 1996, this building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Becoming a Town

In 1974, the community officially became the town of Pittman Center. This new town included both the old Pittman Community Center campus and Emert's Cove.

The Town of Pittman Center has its own police department. It includes a Chief of Police and three full-time officers. They help keep the town safe.

Geography and Location

Pittman Center covers most of Emert's Cove. This area is just north of the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains. The cove is nestled near Webb Mountain, a low ridge that runs close to the national park.

The main part of Pittman Center has its city hall, an elementary school, and the Burnett Memorial Chapel. These are located where Webb Creek and the Middle Fork of the Little Pigeon River meet.

Tennessee Route 416 is the main road in Pittman Center. It connects U.S. Route 321 near the park to U.S. Route 411 in Sevierville. You can spot Pittman Center's road signs easily. They have gold letters on an olive green background.

Population of Pittman Center

Pittman Center is a small town. In 2020, 454 people lived there. The population has changed a bit over the years:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1980	488	—
1990	478	−2.0%
2000	477	−0.2%
2010	502	5.2%
2020	454	−9.6%
Sources:

Most of the people living in Pittman Center are White (93.17%). There are also small numbers of Black or African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 2.2% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. In 2020, there were 212 households and 148 families living in the town.

Economy and Tourism

Pittman Center's economy mostly depends on tourism. This is because it's right next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Greenbriar entrance to the national park is located within the town. This makes it a great spot for visitors.

There's also a golf resort in Pittman Center called Bent Creek Golf Village. The town used to own this golf course.

Education in Pittman Center

Pittman Center has its own school, Pittman Center Elementary School.

For high school students, Gatlinburg-Pittman High School is located very close by in Gatlinburg. All schools in Sevier County are managed by the county. No single town in Sevier County runs its own separate school system.

Famous People from Pittman Center

Dolly Parton - This amazing American country music singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman was born in a simple one-room cabin right here in Pittman Center.