Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg has been a popular destination for vacationers since the 19th century. But when did this small mountain town become a must-visit tourist attraction?
The area around Gatlinburg has been inhabited since prehistoric times, but it wasn’t until 1807 that the first settlers arrived and founded what is now known as Gatlinburg. The town was named after Radford Gatlin, who was an early settler and pioneering entrepreneur. He opened up a store and later established a post office and stagecoach line to serve travelers looking to explore the area.
In 1917, two brothers from Knoxville began developing a resort community in Gatlinburg. They promoted their development as a health resort and encouraged people to visit for its fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery.
This spurred further growth in tourism in the area as more people came looking for rest and relaxation.
The early 20th century saw an increase in outdoor recreation activities in Gatlinburg, such as hiking, fishing, camping, and skiing. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934, bringing even more visitors to the area to enjoy its stunning natural beauty.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Gatlinburg began transforming into an all-season tourist destination. In 1961, Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort opened its doors to skiers looking for winter thrills. Around this same time period other attractions were developed such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (opened 1992), Anakeesta (opened 2017), and many other activities that draw visitors year-round.
Conclusion:
Gatlinburg’s journey from a small mountain town to one of America’s top tourist destinations has been centuries in the making. What started out as a health resort for those seeking rest and relaxation has transformed into an all-season destination filled with outdoor recreation activities, family attractions, shopping centers, restaurants and more. With its stunning natural beauty combined with modern amenities, it’s easy to see why Gatlinburg is so popular with tourists from near and far!
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