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

Drop Line

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 5, 2025

1. Drop Line Marker

Inscription. In the lumber camps of the early 20th century, a conveyance system was used to carry large timbers down steep mountain sides. To erect this conveyance, the "high climber" (also known as a tree topper) used iron climbing hooks and rope to ascend very tall trees, where he would chop off limbs as he climbed, hack off the top of the tree, and finally attach pulleys and rigging to this spar tree so it could support a conveyance system of pulleys and cables to bring cut timber to the main landing area. Attached to the main cable was the Drop Line, a long vertical cable, that carried huge timbers down the mountain.

Erected by Dollywood Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 35° 47.765′ N, 83° 31.89′ W. Marker is in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It can be reached from the intersection of Dollywood Parks Boulevard and Hickory Manor Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located near the Timber Canyon section of Dollywood Park. Touch for map. Marker is

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at or near this postal address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge TN 37863, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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: Donkey Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Drop Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Mountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pilgrim (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dolly's Childhood Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Harvey Water Clock (approx. ¼ mile away); The Tennessee Mining Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Why "Dollywood"? (approx. ¼ mile away).

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 5, 2025

2. Drop Line Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pigeon Forge.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Native American Sea Eagle (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Logging Terms from about.com.forestry. (Submitted on June 9, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. IV. Glossary of Logging Terms. (Submitted on June 9, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Drop Line Amusement Ride image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025

3. Drop Line Amusement Ride

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.