{"id":5934,"date":"2020-03-19T09:40:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T13:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/?p=5934"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:45:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:45:14","slug":"gatlinburg-75-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cabinsforyou.com\/blog\/attractions\/gatlinburg-75-anniversary.htm","title":{"rendered":"Happy 75th Anniversary, Gatlinburg!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Woohoo \u2014 we\u2019re pumped to celebrate 75 years of <\/span>Gatlinburg<\/span><\/a>! This popular Tennessee town has grown so much over the decades, from a few cabins, shops, and a lone road to a bustling city filled with Appalachian history. And with the help of millions of visitors each year, Gatlinburg has become America\u2019s mountain home. Whether you\u2019ve been here many times or never before, we welcome you to check out why our beloved Smoky Mountain town keeps climbing to popular heights. Come visit, explore, play, dine, shop, and reconnect in Gatlinburg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Stroll Through Gatlinburg\u2019s History<\/b><\/p>\n

Early 1800s | Land of Paradise
\n<\/i><\/b>To understand the significance of 75 years beckons a little tale of Gatlinburg history. It all began in the early 1800s when William Ogle ventured to this area, he then dubbed a \u201cland of paradise.\u201d After building a cabin with the help of Cherokee, he sadly died before returning with his family. However, his wife Martha was determined and made the journey with their children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1856 | It\u2019s All in the Name
\n<\/i><\/b>Yeah, the Ogle\u2019s pretty much started it all, attracting more and more settlers to the area. In fact, <\/span>Gatlinburg <\/span><\/i>came from the name of one such settler, Radford C. Gatlin\u2026who was eventually banished (but that\u2019s a story for another time). He lent some office space to Richard Reagan (postmaster) who called it Gatlinburg, and eventually, the entire town was muttering the name that stuck in 1856.<\/span><\/p>\n

1940 | The National Park
\n<\/i><\/b>Unfortunately, during the Civil War, the Union burned much to the ground while pushing the Confederates out of town. Once things began to settle down after the war was over in 1865, Gatlinburg realized the need to rebuild. And with the timber industry picking up in the early 1920s, the need to preserve the beauty of the land was realized, eventually establishing the <\/span>Great Smoky Mountains National Park<\/span><\/a> in 1940 (we even have our own Gatlinburg entrance today!).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1945 \u2013 2020 | 75 Years Strong
\n<\/i><\/b>As visitors flocked to see the stunning mountain vistas, Gatlinburg began to take root in many hearts as the mountain home we know and love. From 1945 \u2013 2020, lodging, attractions, stores, and restaurants have continued to thrive. And now it\u2019s your turn to join in on all the fun and become part of living history in Gatlinburg!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Classic Gatlinburg | Things to Do<\/b><\/p>\n

Attractions Unique to Gatlinburg
\n<\/i><\/b>Skiing exists in Tennessee? Take the Aerial Tramway to <\/span>Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park<\/b> to play on the slopes of the only ski resort in the state since the 1960s. Love sky high views? Check out the 360 views at the tippy top of the <\/span>Gatlinburg Space Needle<\/b> built in the early 1970s or visit the longest running attraction in Gatlinburg \u2014 <\/span>SkyLift Park<\/b><\/a> \u2014 now featuring the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America!<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional Gatlinburg Shops
\n<\/i><\/b>Established in 1937, the <\/span>Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community<\/b> (also a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail) is the largest group of independent artisans in the nation. Nestled along an 11-mile loop road, it\u2019s a great route to shop for handmade Appalachian creations, like quilts, carvings, ornaments, soaps, jewelry, metalwork, pottery, and much more. And if you\u2019re looking for a quaint European style setting, visit <\/span>The Village Shops<\/b><\/a> (built in the 1970s) that features 27 boutiques with everything from popcorn, honey, and peppers to home d\u00e9cor, clothes, and toys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eats & Sips in Gatlinburg
\n<\/i><\/b>Infused with generations of service, including frontiersman David C. <\/span>Crockett<\/span><\/i> Maple, <\/span>Crockett\u2019s Breakfast Camp <\/b>is a must-eat in Gatlinburg. Enjoy mouthwatering griddle cakes, Hunt Camp potatoes, stone ground grits, and fried cinnamon rolls with a big smile. For dinner, stop by the renovated former home of Charles \u201cEarl\u201d Ogle \u2014 aka <\/span>The Peddler Steakhouse<\/b> \u2014 for a grilled-over-TN-hickory-charcoal steak dinner with riverside seating. And don\u2019t forget to pay a visit to the most visited distillery in the nation to sample <\/span>Ole Smoky Moonshine<\/b>!<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s NEW in Gatlinburg?
\n<\/b>When you\u2019ve been around for 75 years and counting, it\u2019s only natural to attract\u2026well, more attractions. And we\u2019ve got quite a few newbies to our beloved mountain town that visitors can\u2019t stop talking about!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n