Welcome to Travel Tuesday! Ever visited a ghost town? If you’re ever in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I’d recommend checking out the Elkmont Nature Trail!
Elkmont Nature Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 95 ft
Trailhead Address: 35.65775, -83.58068
Elkmont used to be a logging community in the 19th and early 20th century but transitioned into being part of the tourism industry in the early 1900’s. Later on, the Appalachian Clubhouse was created as an area for members to build vacation cottages. The Wonderland Hotel was also built.
In 1934, the National Park was established and started purchasing land in the area. Elkmont owners were asked to sell their land in exchange for lifetime leases (these eventually expired in 1992).
As land was purchased + leases expired, ~70 buildings were left standing without anyone to maintain them, eventually becoming the Elkmont Ghost Town.
These remnants were originally set for demolition, but the National Register of Historic Places placed several of the remaining cottages onto a protected list. Only a few have been restored + about 19 of these buildings still remain at this time.
- Ever been to Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Where did you go when you were there?
- Have you ever visited a ghost town?
2 comments
I have never been to a ghost town. This looks like an interesting place to explore!
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It was a cool/short little hike! :D I’ve love to get to explore more of Tennessee someday!