Near Gatlinburg in Sevier County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Elkmont Historic District: Appalachian Club
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2009
1. Elkmont Historic District: Appalachian Club Marker
What Is Elkmont?
These vacant buildings were once part of the "Appalachian Club" vacation community. This community grew up adjacent to the former logging town of Elkmont when the Little River Lumber Company sold land to individuals to create a private social club. What began as a "gentlemen's hunting club" soon developed as a place for affluent Knoxville families to escape oppressive urban summers. The present-day campground exists where the original town was located.
Why Are These Buildings Here And Why Are They Empty?
When the states of Tennessee and North Carolina were acquiring property for the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1920s and 30s, most farms and homes of the mountain people were purchased out-right and residents were required to vacate upon transfer of property. Club town residents were able to negotiate lesser payments in exchange for life-time leases on these properties. Leases for all but two expired in 1992 with the last two ending in 2001.
What Will Happen Here In The Future?
The park's 1982 General Management Plan calls for all structures to be removed upon expiration of leases and
this page online
Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 35° 39.259′ N, 83° 34.819′ W. Marker is near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It can be reached from the intersection of Jakes Creek Road B and Little River Road. Marker is located along the walkway near Jakes Creek Road B at Elkmont Historic District. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gatlinburg TN 37738, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2021
2. Elkmont Historic District: Appalachian Club Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Quite a Social Place (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Appalachian Club (about 400 feet away); Cabin #1: Fulton/Sneed Cabin (about 400 feet away); Rare Mountain Forest (about 500 feet away); Cabin #50: Ownby/Avent Cabin (about 500 feet away); Cabin #3: Boykin/Higdon Cabin (about 500 feet away); Cabin #5: Ijams/Addicks Cabin (about 500 feet away); Spence Cabin (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gatlinburg.
Regarding Elkmont Historic District: Appalachian Club. National Register of Historic Places #94000166.
Related markers.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2009
3. Elkmont Historic District
Also see . . .
1. Elkmont, Tennessee. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form:
Throughout its history, the valley has been home to a pioneer Appalachian community, a logging town, and a resort community. Today, Elkmont is home to a large campground, ranger station, and historic district maintained by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Submitted on March 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Elkmont Historic District. Atlas Obscura website entry:
An abandoned ghost town hidden in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Submitted on March 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Additional commentary.
1. Further information on the marker
The link on the marker, www.elkmont-gmpa-ea.com, appears to be dead. An NPS site titled Plan Process at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/PlanProcess.cfm?projectID=15794 states that:
The following steps outline the history of the planning process and how it will proceed until the anticipated completion
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2009
4. Elkmont Historic District
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Initiate Project
Step 2. Public Scoping for Initial Data Gathering & Issue Identification
Step 3. Preliminary Resources Inventory & Analysis
Step 4. Conduct Public Meetings to Solicit Feedback for Possible Uses within the Historic District
Step 5. Develop Preliminary Resource Management Alternatives
Step 6. Conduct Public Meetings to Solicit Feedback on Preliminary Alternatives
Step 7. Refine Alternatives
Step 8. Identify Environmental Impacts and Select Preferred Alternative
Step 9. Publish Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Step 10. Conduct Public Meetings to Present Report Findings
Step 11. Analyze Public Comments
Step 12. Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Park, Tennessee State Historic Preservation Officer & Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Step 13. Prepare Final Environmental Impact Statement
Step 14. Publish Final Environmental Impact Statement
Step 15. Record of Decision published for the future management of Elkmont *
The Record of Decision for the future management of the Elkmont Historic District was signed June 30,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2009
5. Elkmont Historic District
— Submitted April 10, 2021, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2009
6. Elkmont Historic District
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2009
7. Elkmont Historic District
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 877 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
