From Cornfields To Condos

This video was compiled by the Pigeon Forge Public Library in celebration of the town's fiftieth anniversary celebration in 2011. It tells the story of how Pigeon Forge grew from a tiny farming community at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains into a premier resort vacationing area.

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

I remember when I was a small girl, in the 1960s, and my family would come up to the mountains. I saw cows grazing where multi million dollar businesses operate today. Even as a teenager, in the 1970s, there wasn't a whole lot there. Now it's hard to find an open piece of green land. It's amazing how it's changed. God help us if Townsend ever opens its doors an inch to the money hungry developers who quite literally paved paradise and put up a parking lot!

[@charlene5461]

My husband and I have visited Pigeon Forge several times...we won't be back. The atmosphere is that of the ol' snake oil vendors and it's all about the money. I would much rather visit Burnsville, N.C., where the country folks are still country and the friendliness hasn't been exchanged for greed of money. Thanks for sharing the true history of Pigeon Forge and warning people how greed can steal the core and heart of a wonderful country town.

[@johnhanes5021]

My grandad came from that area. Montgomery and Moore are in my family tree.

[@susanbelida6981]

Lots of good leadership and hard work by hard working folks who farmed and ran small businesses became the Pigeon Forge we know know. And yes God fearing and kind.

[@youthchoir1]

This documentary is awesome. A must see.

[@BooBooKittyFuzzyBritches]

I really enjoyed this sweet documentary. I live in Central Indiana, but have been going to Pigeon Forge since 1995 with my husband & our two sons. The people there have always been so nice & welcoming & it shines through in this documentary. Thank you for sharing it! 😊✌

[@LoriFoster]

I vacationed in Pigeon forge when my kids were young in the early 90s then skipped it for about a decade or so, the changes that happened over that decade were incredible. My wife and I live in SW Ohio and we visit this area twice yearly. My parents Honeymooned in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area they have an old picture of them in Jail at Silver Dollar City. Great area my family was near Max Patch Match North Carolina! 🤠

[@Brenda-uv2hy]

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg used to be great places to visit and enjoy for a few days. Now it is just overcrowded and way too much traffic!

[@kcomella3793]

I very-much enjoyed this upload … thanks so much = Love this immediate area within the state of Tennessee - it’s history, it’s amazing views - and, most of all it’s people; they’re always cordial, always polite and always welcoming ♥️♥️♥️

[@dianejohnson5216]

I really enjoyed this video

[@BigDmike24]

Really enjoyed this video

[@thomasloch98]

Visited many times coming down again this year

[@spacemandudley6237]

Great historic video. Enjoyed watching this video and would loved to have been there to see Pigeon Forge at its beginning.

[@CriscosCountrylife]

Excellent video👍💯Love Tennessee!

[@BigRandyR]

Great video! I was the 100th thumbs up, not sure who the one looser was with the thumbs down.

[@catfish24]

Man this is an interesting video thanks for posting it. I enjoyed it.

[@gregrumbaugh4855]

Alot of great information Eric I appreciate the entire plan and how it works and where you can purchase the parking passes.

[@johnclark1612]

I have ancestors who fought in the battle of Kings Mountain: the Neely's. Then came to Texas and conquered it.

[@bethbartlett5692]

*Let me just say, I had always heard about the Great Smoky Mountains, folks went there for vacation. My Parents did not Vacation, however, we traveled back and forth from Chicago, my city of birth, and my Dad's home area, NW Tennessee. When I was 4 years old, my parents decided to sell our Businesses, home, and move to Tennessee. My sisters were in High School and they "thought ???". Against all my 🤨🙄😨😪 and in spite of the fact 9 of 10 of those folks in NW Tennessee were (Red Bird Fans). (Why, when ya do have a baseball team AND ya could be a Cubs Fans, was beyond my 4 yr old mind), anyways, I digress ... In my late 20's, after graduating University of Memphis and having worked several years as Marketing Manager, St Joe, Memphis, I had to travel to Gatlinburg, through Pigeon Forge, for a State Conference. I flew into Nashville, with one of our Marketing Reps, Tim, (whom had been there several times and was/is more famous that the Pope, everyone, everywhere knows this man, Amazes me!) Anyways after we had landed in Knoxville, driven a highway, where Tim is pointing out sites, like a Tour Guide, President's house, another Presi6's house, and we take a Right 8n Serivile and proceed towards Gatlinburg ... about 15 minutes into this 0art 9f out drive, Tim 8s tapping away, when he realizes there's no response and he turns to look at me and said "Beth!" "What's the matter!?!" I was just setting there with my mouth open, agasp,, when * gathered my composure, * said:. "Tim, we have 0assed no less than 132 Pink Pottery Pigs setting on the side of this Highway, what the heck is Gatlinburg going to be like?" "He says, well, it just a little town 8n the mountains with a Main Street and a Hotel and Cabins." ... and I said, "Tim, I was expecting an Easy Coast *"Aspen",* at which point he had to pull over, lol. I've no clue why I thought that, but we'll (it's not) I respect the folks that live there, and I hope the realize the greater beauty potentials they have. I haven't had a reason to return, and I'm still a bit stunned that all that natural beauty is there, and there's really beauty to be showcased in East Tennessee. Travel Safe ...

[@carleymartin613]

Why wasn't the Shields family mentioned as one of the settlers?

[@ps603]

That Earline was a woman before her time. Way to go Earline!

[@thesilentgeneration]

Tourist trap. Been there 60 years ago, then it went commercial and got ruined.

[@user-cf9np9cy8q]

Very sad

[@SOULRELIEF22]

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." St John 3:16! ❤️ MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄🎁🎀🎄 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!🎊🎉🎺

[@gr5ubtn]

What is that song at the end?