CADES
COVE
No
words can fully describe the beauty of Cades Cove. The trip on a
one-way 11 mile loop road perfectly combines cultural history with the
natural beauty - in fact, the 4,000 acre valley is often referred to as
an open-air museum. Grazing cattle, frolicking deer, an occasional
bear along with the natural surroundings, paint a picture of pastoral Smoky
Mountain beauty.
The
Cove was originally settled by John Oliver but derives its name from Cherokee
chief Abrams' wife Kate. Over the years, "Kate's Cove" became "Cades
Cove". The valley harbored a thriving community for over a hundred
years. In 1850, its population peaked at 685 people. The opening
of the western frontier lured many families away from the Cove, and by
1860 only 269 people remained.
Preserved
Structures - The homes of John Oliver, Carter Shields, Henry Whitehead
and Dan Lawson dot the valley floor and represent a variety of building
techniques. The Whitehead home is made from logs sawed square at
a nearby mill. The Lawson home features an unusual chimney made of
brick fired on the spot. Other buildings include a smithy, smokehouses,
corn cribs and a cantilevered barn.
Historical
Churches - Three of five original churches remain in Cades Cove today.
The oldest among them is the Primitive Baptist Church, built in 1827.
These churches and the surrounding cemeteries provide fascinating insight
into the lives and times of the 19th century. For instance, the Baptist
church was forced to close during the height of the Civil War because of
its Union sympathies. In the cemetery nearby, one headstone reads
simply "Bas Shaw - Killed by Rebels."
Working
Corn Mill - Halfway along the loop stands John P. Cable's 19th century
farm. Once a self-contained world, today the farm illustrates the
daily lives of early settlers. The farm's centerpiece is the 1868
mill that still grinds corn raised in the Cove. It is open daily
from mid-April through October.
While
automobile is the most popular way to tour the Cove, it's not your only
option. Many people take on the loop as a hike, while others prefer
the sights, sounds and smells of the Cove on bicycle.
Cades
Cove is even spectacular under blankets of winter snow - the one-way loop
can be a little trickier to drive on - It is advisable to check with the
park service (865-436-1200) to check out road conditions before venturing
into the Cove in such weather. |