Pigeon Forge in Sevier County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Eagle Mountain
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025
1. Eagle Mountain Marker
American Bald Eagles
Project Description
● This multi-faceted eagle preservation, education, and entertainment complex includes an aviary that features the largest exhibition of non-releasable bald eagles in America, displayed in their natural habitat.
● These birds are deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service because they would not be able to survive in the wild.
● This project is a cooperative effort between Dollywood and the American Eagle Foundation (AEF), a non-profit organization permitted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to possess, care for, exhibit, rehabilitate, and breed birds of prey.
The Bald Eagle has been our National symbol since 1792. Benjamin Franklin had preferred the wild Turkey.
The Bald Eagle gets its name from an Olde English word "balde"- which meant "white", as in "white-headed eagle".
The heads and tails change from dark brown to white when Bald Eagles reach sexual maturity - usually between 4 to 5 years of age.
this page online
Flight speed during flapping and gliding has been measured between 36 and 44 miles per hour.
More than 12,000 pairs of Bald Eagles are nesting in the lower 48 states in 2009.
Bald Eagles begin arriving in Tennessee in late October and peak in late January to Mid-February.
Tennessee's winter population peaks at 300 to 400 Eagles, most being at Reelfoot and Dale Hollow Lakes.
Eagle nesting declined in the 1950's mainly due to the pesticide, D.D.T., which made eggs infertile or shells too thin.
Since the ban of D.D.T. in 1972, the eagle population has steadily grown. Most of the wintering eagles are from Canada and the Great Lakes.
Erected by Dollywood Amusement Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.
Location. 35° 47.609′ N, 83° 31.86′ 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
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025
2. Eagle Mountain Marker
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: Pilgrim (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tennessee Mining Company (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Harvey Water Clock (about 800 feet away); Drop Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); Donkey Engine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Why "Dollywood"? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dolly's Childhood Home (approx. 0.2
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025
3. Eagle Sculpture Plaque
Located in the Wilderness Pass section of Dollywood near the entrance to the Wild Eagle amusement ride.
About This Sculpture
This majestic eagle sculpture proudly stands watch over America's first wing coaster. Handcrafted from 2600 square feet of stainless steel welded into thousands of individual feathers, this symbol of freedom and flight weighs approximately four tons. From tip to tip, it has a wing span of 48' making it roughly the size of a four-story building. Commissioned especially for Dollywood, it was designed and created by renowned metal artist Kevin Stone.
This majestic eagle sculpture proudly stands watch over America's first wing coaster. Handcrafted from 2600 square feet of stainless steel welded into thousands of individual feathers, this symbol of freedom and flight weighs approximately four tons. From tip to tip, it has a wing span of 48' making it roughly the size of a four-story building. Commissioned especially for Dollywood, it was designed and created by renowned metal artist Kevin Stone.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Native American Sea Eagle (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2025
4. Majestic Eagle Sculpture
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 115 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
