Cades Cove is known as one of the most peaceful and relaxing areas in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, the silence and beauty do not exclude this area of the National Park from having a few little secrets hidden away.
1. No American Indians ever lived in Cades Cove:
According to the National Park service’s website on Cades Cove, there is no archaeological evidence supporting the theory that Native Americans, specifically the Cherokee Indians, ever called Cades Cove home.
2. Cades Cove first name was Kate’s Cove:
Cades Cove has had several names over the time.
3. The John P. Cable Mill not the first Cades Cove Mill:
There is no denying that the Cable Mill is the most popular mill to be associated with the area, mainly because it is the only one still in operation but it was not in fact the first.
4. Some historic buildings in Cades Cove been moved:
It is interesting to note that many of the historic buildings in Cades Cove surrounding the mill are not in their original location.
5. Cades Cove is the only place on the Tennessee side of the National Park with a working grist mill:
Thanks to the successful milling industry that once was found in Cades Cove, this area is home to the only mill working grist mill in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
6. Cades Cove is the single most popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
With 3 millions visitors anually, Cades Cove holds the title as the most popular area in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
7. Cades Cove is the only section of the National Park that close at night:
What makes being the most popular area of the Great Smoky Mountains even more special for Cades Cove is that it is also the only section of the park to close at night.
8. The entrance to Cades Cove isn’t the original entrance:
For the 100 years before The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, residents and visitors entered and left Cades Cove by five narrow unpaved roads. The entrance that we use today was not built until after the park was established in 1934.
Via visitmysmokies.com
