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

Donkey Engine

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025

1. Donkey Engine Marker

Inscription.
Pulling a fallen tree out of the woods is no small task. The Donkey Engine, or Steam Donkey, was a steam-powered winch strong enough to move thousands of pounds of lumber from the felling site to the railcars. This "work horse" of the lumber camps in the early 20th century could power a Drop Line conveyance system of pulleys and cables or simply drag timbers across the forest floor. Built on skids, and occassionaly on wheels, a Donkey Engine could also be used to pull itself to the next logging location.

Erected by Dollywood Amusement Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 35° 47.754′ N, 83° 31.869′ W. Marker is in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It can be reached from Dollywood Parks Boulevard. Marker is located on the grounds of Dollywood amusement park, in the Timber Canyon section. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Boulevard, Pigeon Forge TN 37863, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in

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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: Drop Line (here, next to 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); The Tennessee Mining Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Harvey Water Clock (approx. ¼ mile away); Dolly's Childhood Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Why "Dollywood"? (approx. ¼ mile 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 away but has been replaced with another marker now

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025

2. Donkey Engine Marker

The marker may be seen while exiting the ride.

near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.