On of the most beloved and recognizable places in Tennessee is doubtlessly the Sevierville and Gatlinburg area. They are destinations for families across the country that also sustain locals with thriving economies.
Before the New Deal, Sevierville was an ordinary town in the mountains of Tennessee, similar to many of the other towns sustained by the coal and logging industries. In 1940, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established and changed the trajectory of Sevierville for the better.
The national park was established as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Sevierville became a destination for visitors of the national park to stay, eat and enjoy themselves while not out hiking.
Through the ‘60s and ‘70s the rates of tourism rocketed upward, drawing many entrepreneurs and businessmen to set up there. At some point during this time much of the attraction of Sevierville and Gatlinburg shifted from the national park to the in-town attractions.
Ober Gatlinburg was established, opening a Bavarian-style ski retreat as a prime example of artificial attractions utilizing the beautiful landscape and culture of the area. Anakeesta is following a similar path in utilizing the natural resources to create an exciting hybrid of both.
This trend toward a tourism economy has continued to this day, and the three towns of Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge have become centers of artificial attractions often themed around Appalachian culture and heritage. Some of the first attractions, which are no longer seen today, included Mystery Hill, the Xanadu House and Fun Mountain.
The area has changed drastically over the last century, and it has become more lively and vivacious with each passing decade. Today, Sevierville and Gatlinburg still serve as a fun summer destinations with a balance of natural and artificial attractions.
