Gatlinburg in Sevier County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Greystone Hotel

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 3, 2025

1. The Greystone Hotel Marker

Inscription. The Greystone Hotel was built in 1941 by Austin (Dick) Whaley. Whaley was half owner in the Riverside Hotel with his father, Stephen Whaley, and obtained this field and mountain from his father via an exchange of his Riverside interest. The 46-room Greystone was completed and opened in the spring of 1942 for $80,000, just after the beginning of WWII. Despite the war and gas rationing, Dick and his wife, Martha, successfully operated the hotel and dining room for several years. The hotel was host to many famous guests, a Tennessee Governor's Conference, and was sold in 1955 for one-half million dollars.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 35° 42.803′ N, 83° 30.754′ W. Marker is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It is at the intersection of River Road and Greystone Heights Road, on the right when traveling west on River Road. The marker is located in front of Ridley’s Aquarium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 94 River Road, Gatlinburg TN 37738, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Great Smoky Mountains.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martha Jane Ogle Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); E.E. Ogle Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Centennial Plaza / Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Settlement School (within shouting distance of this marker); Village Gate (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baskins Creek (approx. ¼ mile away); First Methodist Church – Gatlinburg (approx. ¼ mile away); Tsali Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rocky Top (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gatlinburg.

Also see . . .
1. Remembrance of Things Past: Gatlinburg #9.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 3, 2025

2. The Greystone Hotel Marker

(Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. You Can’t Get There from Here. (Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.