Celebrate Gatlinburg's 75th Anniversary in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains

Posted by Jon Hoffman in Smoky Mountains

It all started with some plucky pioneers – the Ogle family and a few of their relatives.

In 1802 these hardy homesteaders traveled up from South Carolina to start a whole new life in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, at a site that would later become the City of Gatlinburg.

For more than a century afterward, the area remained largely untamed – just a few log cabins, several dirt roads, some logging camps, and, eventually, three hotels, a general store, and a post office.

Then, on September 2, 1940, everything changed. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, covering 522,427 magnificent acres across western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

Gatlinburg Was in the Heart of It All 

Right from the start, tourists poured in. Within six years, the scenic Tennessee outpost had drawn its one-millionth visitor. 

And that was just the beginning.

Today Gatlinburg is "America's Mountain Home," attracting millions of sightseers every year from all around the globe. Yet it still preserves the downhome warmth and charm that have graced it from its inception.

This year, Gatlinburg marks the 75th anniversary of its incorporation as a Tennessee city. And you're cordially invited to join the year-long celebration.

Y'All Come Anytime to Experience the Magic of Gatlinburg

No matter when you visit, you'll enjoy iconic attractions such as:

• The Gatlinburg SkyLift (opened 1954), the South's first four-season scenic chairlift, offering sky-high views of the Smokies
• Ober Gatlinburg (built 1960s), Tennessee's only ski resort, now enhanced and expanded with charming shops and gourmet restaurants
• The Gatlinburg Space Needle (opened early '70s), where you can ride in a glass-walled elevator to a 400-foot-high observation deck with eye-popping mountain views
• Ripley's Believe It or Not (opened late '70s), featuring the fascinating "Odditorium"... now expanded to include seven extra attractions including an awesome aquarium (built in 2001).
• Anakeesta Outdoor Attraction (opened 2017), offering everything from dueling ziplines to the nation's only single-rail rollercoaster... and now featuring a new observation tower, opened just this summer
• Gatlinburg SkyBridge (opened 2019), billed as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America – 680 linear feet of stunning views and heart-pounding thrills

Plus much more... including nearby Dollywood, one of the best-loved theme parks in the world.

Then There's the Dining and Shopping

No trip to Gatlinburg is truly complete without some scrumptious Southern vittles. 

• Sample fluffy flapjacks and fixin's at favorite spots like Crockett's Breakfast Camp, Pancake Pantry, and Log Cabin Pancake House. 
• Savor authentic Tennessee barbecue at legendary local eateries like Bennett's Pit BBQ and Bones BBQ Joint. 
• Enjoy delicious fried chicken and other downhome fare at Chicken Hut and Mama's Chicken. 
• Opt for gracious fine dining at the Greenbrier Restaurant and iconic Seasons of Ober.

Plus, try everything from juicy steaks, fresh seafood, and goodie-laden pizza to luscious regional specialties – Cajun, Celtic, Mexican, you name it.

And don't forget Gatlinburg's famous shopping opportunities... starting with the Shops at the Village, a cluster of quaint boutiques in a charming Old World setting. 

All This Against a Backdrop of Spectacular Natural Beauty

During this anniversary year, accommodations are filling up fast... especially as new expansions open at Anakeesta and Dollywood. Don't miss out. Contact Volunteer Cabin Rentals now to book your comfortable family cabin.

This content posted by Volunteer Cabin Rentals. Visit our home page, www.volunteercabinrentals.com to book your next vacation cabin today.

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