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

Burnett-Thomas Garden

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 18, 2025

1. Burnett-Thomas Garden Marker

Inscription. On this spot in approximately 1925, Laura Elenora Petty Burnett, wife of founder Dr. John Burnett planted a garden. One of the tenants of the founding of Pittman Center was the education of agronomy. This garden served as a display for many indigenous plants that were edible and aesthetically pleasing. This American Holly (Hex opaca) is the remnant of this garden. Guided tours for school systems were conducted by Mrs. Burnett of her garden. After the death of Mrs. Burnett, Eva Thomas, the wife of Dr. Robert F. Thomas, continued maintenance and tours until 1961.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 35° 45.537′ N, 83° 23.737′ W. Marker is in Pittman Center, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It can be reached from Webb Creek Road east of Pittman Center Road (Tennessee Highway 416), on the right when traveling west. Marker located near the Pittman Center City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2839 Webb Creek Rd, Sevierville TN 37876, 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Emerts Cove (approx. 1.1 miles away); Emerts Cove Covered Bridge (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pieces of Gatlinburg’s Past: The Cliff Dwellers (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Ephraim Bales Place (approx. 5.6 miles away); Ely's Mill (approx. 6 miles away); Tsali Monument (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Greystone Hotel (approx. 7.3 miles away); The American Black Bear (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittman Center.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 18, 2025

2. Burnett-Thomas Garden Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 18, 2025

3. Burnett-Thomas Garden Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 18, 2025

4. Burnett-Thomas Garden Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.