The Historic And Natural Wonder Of Cades Cove Tennessee
If you miss Cades Cove Tennessee while traveling in the
southeastern part of the United States, you've missed one of the
most picturesque locations in North America.
Cades Cove is a 6,800 acre scenic paradise located in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend and Gatlinburg,
Tennessee. With nearly two million visitors a year, Cades Cove
TN is one of the most visited areas of any National Park located
in the United States.
Cades Cove Tennessee belonged to the Cherokee Nation prior to
1818 and was settled by John and Lucretia Oliver in the fall of
1818. The Cherokee were not a threat to the small numbers of
whites in the cove for a few short years until a larger
population suddenly turned them hostile. It is sadly ironic that
the Cherokee, who befriended and helped the Olivers survive
their first few years in the cove, were eventually chased out
principally by John Oliver himself.
Cades Cove fell on hard times during the Civil War as most of
the population supported the Union and were harassed by
Confederates from North Carolina.
The Cove returned to it's rural lifestyle after the Civil War as
industry began to spring up in the surrounding the areas. This
led to a slow migration from the Cove through the early 1920's
when the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was established in
1926. The last resident, Kermit Caughron, lived in the Cove
until he passed away in 1999. Despite Kermit's home being of
important historic significance, the National Park Service
decide to tear it down in 2001 because it did not fit in with
the historic setting of the Cove.
Even though life was harsh for the early settlers of Cades Cove
TN, they must have had a wonderful appreciation for the
breathtaking beauty of the land they called home for many years.
Despite the unfortunate outcome of the Cades Cove community, the
land is now preserved for all to enjoy.
There are many recreational activities to participate in while
visiting Cades Cove, but by far the most popular is to drive the
11 mile loop around the cove. Many choose to ride a bicycle
around the loop to get a more intimate view of the scenery and
some even hike. You can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to
the entire day enjoying the Cades Cove loop. If spotting
wildlife is your aim, you need to arrive early in the morning or
stay till dusk.
Besides the loop road, Cades Cove TN