The Elkmont Cabins, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Elkmont Cabins, filmed January 2012 before 56 early 20th century vacation homes are removed from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

[@kevmadisboom]

Thanks for this history. As a regular visitor to the Smokies from Knoxville, I remember visiting these cabins with my folks in the 70s - 90s. It was always surprising to me that the national park refused to privatize or otherwise renovate these structures for tourist rental, letting them fall into ruin. Most national parks out west have historic cabins placed into rental programs. Why the Smokies refused to save their architectural heritage is truly a mystery and a sad loss for the country.

[@missclaireee1]

At 1:35, my dad (as a young man) got drunk and jumped on one of the horses in the stables, thinking he could just instantly ride. Speaking as an equestrian, trust me when I say he SUCKED at riding. Anyway, he ran galloped towards the fence, convinced he could jump it. Naturally the horse stopped right at the edge and threw my dad head over heels. Pretty darned funny since he didn't get hurt. 3:54 is my family cabin. I used to ride the sides of the stairs like a pony, along with the fence. The front terrace was built with an idea of my great grandmother. Every visitor had to bring a rock, and they were placed into the terrace. Eventually the entire terrace was built by these visitors. The window bars were to keep bears out, as the window is directly over the stove. We had quite the bear experiences over the years. This was one of the first cabins built in Elkmont, and it was built entirely by hand. The chimney is full of cracks between the rocks. The last year we had the cabin I lived in it alone throughout a winter and nearly froze to death. But it was such a special time for me and I'll carry it with me forever. There were more bar-b-ques than I can count on that outdoor grille pictured in 4:00. I've got so many pictures of life in those cabins. Though many people refer to this community as one of "summer" homes, I still consider myself as being raised there. It shaped who I am today and I carry it with me constantly.

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

I've been there many times & there in all 4 seasons. No matter when I have visited, there has always been such a strong feeling of family, happiness, quality of life and peace, good wholesome memories of the past, and yet solemnness and somberness for the present and future of this great historic place and its structures. While not a distant historical event, which may contribute to the NPS' failure to embrace the importance of this place and the structures, I feel it is a historical mistake to not preserve it in whole. To rebuild it as a living museum that could be rented out at an exclusive price point would be beneficial to the restoration of the history & the upkeep of Elkmont as well. People would pay to stay. What a loss and missed opportunity for all, as there has been no solid evidence that any detrimental impact has been traced to this location or the structures. This is a very special place.

[@Libinnc28759]

Joseph this is wonderful! Thank you so much for compiling this and more importantly for sharing it. I hope I can get over there this summer and will still be able to go there. I'm kind of obsessed with it!! Thanks again for a wonderful video.

[@gary4645]

The 1st time I saw this was when "dmccoig" had a video of this, my next vacation I had to run up there and see for myself. I thought how wonderfull and yet how sad. This was really the catilyst for the reason and purpose of a National Park. The National Park crew has no clue how well these cabins would rent and the money that could be made renting these historic cabins. Could you imagine the revenue made in the historic Wonderland Hotel if it were renovated. Great video, and keep sharing history

[@kvancamp84]

thank you for this footage. can you give me directions to get to the cabins? last time I was there I turned at the sign and got by the camp ground but could not find this road or the cabins all we found was a steep hill with large rocks

[@kevintharpjr275]

Ok I was in Tenn. In 2012 me and my cousin found this on accident. So this year I went back to Tenn. And for the life of me I could not find this place (elkmont) and (clubhouse) so is there a map I could get to show location?

[@ricks9169]

A shame tree-hugging bureaucrats have no interest or appreciation of wonderful, historic cabins, but they were private, and collectivists can’t abide that.

[@brownwoman64]

There was a wealthy individual who offered to restore the wonderland to the original state and offer to use as a hotel. This was never acted upon and most people were not aware of the offer either. This was intentionally not made known.

[@Meltface79]

dAMN SHAME TO LOOSE THOSE CABINS

[@larryallen7662]

They should leave them along. That why people come from all over just to see them Old cabins..

[@oldunion]

7:56 abandoned.... more like evicted

[@brownwoman64]

Hope karma comes to the people who were against saving these buildings and I would like to witness the karma when it comes to to get them. Smh. This is a terrible stain in american history for them to not be remains removed. God knows in this country there are millionaires and billionaires who give to less charities of value than this

[@cmissshelleymichelle]

The music and the homes kinda of make me sad, Boo hoo!!