Two hundred years ago, in 1807, Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, her children and several other family members arrived in a remote locale of Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee to honor the wish of her recently deceased husband, William, to settle in the “land of paradise” he had found for them. Today, that remote locale is known as Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Recognizing the need for a 2007 Bicentennial Celebration of the settlement of Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg Bicentennial Committee was formed in April 2006 to plan and implement activities and programs which would celebrate the settlement of Gatlinburg, as marked by the building of the Ogle Cabin in 1807, throughout its growth and development to present.
Go back with us now as we celebrate our past…
1807: The Land of Paradise
Ogles, Huskeys, McCarters, Reagans, and Whaleys were the first families to settle the valley of the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River and its tributaries known as White Oak Flats. Most heads of households were Revolutionary War veterans, come to claim title to 50 acre tracts of land allotted to each for their patriotic service. It is believed that a middle-aged widow, Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, was the first official settler here. She came with her family to start a new life in what her late husband had described as a “Land of Paradise.”
Early Families
The first homesteads were located at the mouths of Baskins Creek, LeConte Creek (then called Mill Creek for its numerous grist mills), and Roaring Fork where each joined the Little Pigeon River. In the following decades, Maples, Trenthams, Ownbys, Clabos, Oakleys, Kings, Cardwells, Bohannons and other families took up residence along streams, hollows, and up mountain sides. Radford C. Gatlin came here in 1855 and opened the village’s second store. Although Gatlin was a controversial figure, the city still bears his name.
Civil War Era
As a self-contained, subsistence community, very little changed in the city’s first 100 years. When the Civil War erupted, a number of locals joined the Union, and a few the Confederacy. In general, the mountain people tried to remain neutral. Although only one Civil War skirmish was fought here, countless raids were made upon the area by both sides to gather vital resources needed to sustain the war efforts. As with much of the South, deprivation and hardship persisted in the area long after the war.
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity
Education came here in the form of subscription schools in the early 1800’s. The first public school was established around the time of the Civil War, and finally a settlement school was created by Pi Beta Phi Fraternity in 1912. This latter institution not only provided academic and practical education for area children, it also contributed to a rebirth of Appalachian arts and crafts and the so called “cottage craft industry” movement.
The National Park
Timbering began replacing subsistence farming in the early 1900’s. In fact, Gatlinburg’s first hotel was built to accommodate traveling lumber buyers. With the coming of the national park in 1934, the area’s first wave of tourism changed the face of the economy forever.
Gatlinburg History & Survey
The authors of the Gatlinburg History and Survey are Dr. Carroll Van West, Director, Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation, and Kristen Luetkemeier, Fellow, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation. Click here to view the entire report.
The events listed herein have been selected by the Gatlinburg Bicentennial Committee as officially recognized events during 2007. Call the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at (865) 436-0535 or (865) 436-0519 for more information on bicentennial events.
ONGOING EVENTS
"They Built This City on Arts & Crafts" Exhibit --
Located in the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza, this exhibition showcases the history of arts and crafts in Gatlinburg through photographs of days gone by.
American Flag Placements by Rotary Club -- The Gatlinburg Rotary Club provides the service of placing flags throughout the City during nationally recognized holidays.
Anna Porter Public Library Murder Mystery --
This year’s
locally produced and cast theatrical performance entitled "The Fatal
Fifties" is a library fundraiser.
Exhibit of Original Paintings by renowned American artist Jim Gray -- Boardroom of W.L. Mills Conference Center - Jim Gray has called Gatlinburg home since 1966; call 865/436-2392 for schedule of viewing days and times.
November 2006
November 27 -- Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Banquet -- Bicentennial Kick-off - W.L. Mills Conference Center - a dinner with program to follow, the gala celebrates Gatlinburg’s success and honors those who make a difference in our community.
January 2007
January 29 -- Gatlinburg Bicentennial Stamp Cancellation Day -- Opening ceremonies at the Parkway Welcome Center at Traffic Light #3. Official commemorative US Postal Service Bicentennial Logo stamp cancellation presented.
March 2007
March 30 -- Music of the Mountains - W.L. Mills Auditorium -- Opening night of popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park music series, featuring the renowned Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
April 2007
April 14 -- Historic Inns Progressive Lunch Tour -- The Smoky Mountain Bed & Breakfast Association (SMBBA) hosts a progressive lunch involving each of the four Gatlinburg B&Bs. Visitors will be told stories about each inn and also historic stories of Gatlinburg at each stop. Each stop will also feature some of the Inn’s featured cuisine.
April 18 and 25 -- “Mountain Communities: Fighting Creek, Forks of the River, and the Sugarlands” -- Join a park ranger during a one hour easy hike departing at 10:00a.m. from Sugarlands Visitors Center to learn of communities that existed in the mountains before the Park’s establishment. The ranger will talk about how these residents farmed, raised children, and made a living in the mountains. Many of these residents in the Sugarlands/Fighting Creek areas pulled up roots and later established lives in Gatlinburg. 865/436-1200
May 2007
May 02 and 9, 10:00 a.m. -- Mountain Communities Interpretive Hike -- Mountain Communities: Fighting Creek, Forks of the River, and the Sugarlands. Join a park ranger during a one hour easy hike learning about communities that existed in the mountains before the Park’s establishment. The ranger will talk about how these residents farmed, raised children, and made a living in the mountains. Many of these residents in the Sugarlands/ Fighting Creek areas pulled up roots and later established lives in Gatlinburg.
May 10 -- Gatlinburg Rotary Club Dinner & Auction -- Held at W.L. Mills Conference Center, an auction of specially painted Bicentennial Bears and many other items to benefit local charities and programs. Food served from 5:30 p.m. until festivities are complete. Silent and live auctions will continue through the evening. Tickets are $75 per person. Contact Brad Spradlen at 865/850-8067 for tickets and more information.
May 18 -- Pi Beta Phi Social Studies Fair -- Storytelling and cooking plus a student play and demonstrations of mountain cullture and traditions by each grade at Pi Beta Phi Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 865/436-5076
June 2007
June 20 -- White Oak Flats Cemetery History Ceremony -- A ceremony will be held to unveil a commemorative sign for the Historic White Oak Flats Cemetery. Interpreters in period clothing will tell stories of the people buried in the cemetery.
July 2007
July 03 -- July 4 Independence Day Parade presented by Red Baron Pizza -- This 32nd annual showcase is the "First Fourth Parade in the Nation!"Parade starts at the stroke of midnight as July 4 begins. Floats, balloons, and marchers pay tribute to our country. 800/568-4748.
July 03 - 04 -- Living History Civil War Re-Enactment -- At Mills Park, features period performers in Civil War camp along with the recreation of the "Battle of Burg Hill" and historical portrayal by "Sparky" Rucker. A cannon drill and music plus a talk on "War in the Smoky Mountains" given by author Noel Fisher (Civil War in the Smokies) is included in the festivities. 865/436-0519
August 2007
August 17 - 18 -- Gatlinburg MountainFest and Old Timer’s Day --
Enjoy two fun-filled days of bluegrass and genuine mountain music along with crafters and demonstrations. Local crafters exhibit their skills passed down from generation to generation. On Saturday, get a taste of some local talents at the Mountain Strings Competition. Fiddles, banjos and guitar players are invited to compete for awards and cash prizes. Festival runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday in downtown Gatlinburg.
October 2007
October 06 -- Thomas Kinkade Event --
In conjunction with Gatlinburg's Bicentennial Celebration, reknowned artist Thomas Kinkade unveils a new work of art depicting downtown Gatlinburg. Event benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Gatlinburg building fund.
October 07 -- First United Methodist Church of Gatlinburg Celebration --
oGatlinburg FUMC holds a ceremony at 6 p.m. following by a reception celebrating the building’s placement on the National Registry of Historic Places, the result of work of the Dr. Van West Historical Survey at MTSU in conjunction with Gatlinburg’s Bicentennial Celebration.
October 17 - 21 -- Cliff Dwellers Fall Gallery Gathering -- A variety of artists will be demonstrating, such as cloth and basket weavers, potters, watercolor and gourd painters, glass and jewelry artists, paper marbling artists, quilters and more.
October 26 -- Founders and First Families Picture Exhibition --
Located in W.L. Mills Conference Center, Phase I of this permanent picture exhibition is dedicated at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 26, by Gatlinburg's Bicentennial Committee and City officials. The display honors the founding and significant historic figures in the history of the White Oak Flats area which later became known as Gatlinburg.
November 2007
November 11 -- Veterans Day Celebration - Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza --
Musical tributes, spoken salutations and an American Eagle appearance all pay homage when the City of Gatlinburg hosts its 5th annual Veterans Day Celebration at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11 at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza.
Sevier County native son Col. Gilbert W. "Dub" McIntosh, USAR, will serve as the featured speaker during the program honoring our veterans, accented by a rousing musical tribute which salutes those who have served in our American Armed Services.
The agenda includes words and reflections from master of ceremonies Carl Mays, Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Helton, and Gatlinburg Police Captain Jim Maples, a veteran and former commander of VFW Post 202.
November 16 - January 05 -- Weaving A Life Exhibition at Arrowmont --
View the celebration of the cottage weavers’ industry exhibition, on display at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, the nationally recognized cultural institution which educates the public about the history of Gatlinburg through the visual arts.
Exhibition covers a period of 70 years, from 1926 to 1996. With over 180 weavers working from their homes while supporting their families, this industry had a major social and economic impact on the region. Participate in the gallery reception on November 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (865) 436-5860
December 2007
December 11 -- Bicentennial Celebration Party --
The Gatlinburg Gateway Foundation and Bicentennial Committee cap off the 200 year commemoration with a festive gala at W.L. Mills Conference Center. Mountain music and a heritage walking tour of authentic artifiacts are part of the event. For information, call Stan Johnson at 865/436-7484 or 436-3800, ext. 102, or e-mail him at asjinc@aol.com