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

Why "Dollywood"?

Photographed by Thomas Smith, June 10, 2025

1. Why "Dollywood"? Marker

Inscription.
In a 1982 television interview, Dolly said she dreamed of building a mountain fairyland to capture and celebrate the spirit of her Smoky Mountain home. Months later, a meeting between Dolly and the owners of Silver Dollar City Tennessee was arranged by the park's general manager and Dolly's bus driver. Soon, Dolly and the Herschends forged a new partnership.

While in Hollywood, Dolly was thinking about a name for her new Smoky Mountain theme park. She saw the Hollywood sign and thought to herself, "Hollywood, Dollywood. Well, Dollywood sounds good to me!"

And that's how Dollywood got its name!

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women.

Location. 35° 47.588′ N, 83° 32.038′ W. Marker is in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It is in Dollywood. It is on Dollywood Parks Boulevard near The Village RD. By Dogs N Taters in Dollywood. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge TN 37863, 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: The Harvey Water Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolly's Childhood Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Mountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pilgrim (approx. 0.2 miles away); Drop Line (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Drop Line (approx. ¼ mile away); Donkey Engine (approx. ¼ mile away); The Tennessee Mining Company (approx. 0.3 miles away). 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

Photographed by Thomas Smith, June 10, 2025

2. Why "Dollywood"? Marker

away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.