4 Important Things You’ll See Along the Cades Cove Loop
One of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Cades Cove Loop, a scenic one-way road that travels for 11 miles through a spectacular valley. This road not only offers access to hiking trails and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, but a variety of notable structures that offer a unique glimpse into the history of the area! Here are 4 important things that you’ll see along the Cades Cove Loop:
1. John Oliver Cabin
The John Oliver Cabin is the first important structure that you’ll see when entering the Cades Cove Loop. This cabin is named after one of the first pioneers to move to Cades Cove and it’s held together mostly by gravity, as you’ll notice that the notched corners don’t have any nails or pegs holding them together! An interesting fact is that John Oliver never actually lived in the cabin as he built it for his son William who used it as a “honeymoon” cabin once he was married. Oliver built the cabin around the early 1920s, but additions were added years later.
2. Historic Cades Cove Churches
Another one of the important things that you’ll see along the Cades Cove Loop Road are three churches that each come with their own fascinating history! The Primitive Baptist Church was originally the Cades Cove Baptist Church when it was established in 1827, but it received the current name in 1841 when a division developed due to a biblical interpretation. The Methodist Church was built in the 1820s when methodists in Cades Cove wanted a place to worship of their own. Finally, the Missionary Baptist church was formed in 1839 when part of the Primitive Baptist Church’s congregation split to form a new church that focused on missionary work.
3. John P. Cable Mill
The John P. Cable Mill, which is the only working grist mill in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is adjacent to the Cades Cove Visitor Center along the midpoint of the Cades Cove Loop. Cable built this water-powered gristmill in 1867 as an elaborate system to drain the swamp lands located in the western part of the Cove. The mechanics of the 11-foot tall water wheel were well designed and simple, as the turning wheel drives a runner stone that also turns. The stones on the Cable Mill are the original stones and have been in use for 150 years! The mill still runs daily from March to October, and you can explore both the interior and exterior of this important structure!
4. Henry Whitehead Place
The Henry Whitehead Place is unique among the other cabins along the Cades Cove Loop as it blends the traditional log home and frame home styles. At the time of its construction in the late 1800s, this was only the third cabin in the Smoky Mountains to be built this way and it is now the only one standing in the national park today! Whitehead was a talented carpenter and the construction included 4-inch walls made from thick logs, making it well insulated. Henry also built a brick chimney for the home, and he made his own bricks from scratch!
The Cades Cove Loop is one of the many destinations in the Smokies that you can enjoy while we gear up for another exciting season of white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains! You’ll also want to check out these other outdoor activities in the Smoky Mountains that you’re sure to love!
