Tour Of Cades Cove With Luke Ledbetter - VERY INTERESTING!!

In this video, we ride along with one of our viewers, and a Cove descendant, Luke Ledbetter.
Mr. Ledbetter's knowledge of Cades Cove is vast. We have driven through the Cove well over 150 times, and this was, by far, the most interesting, educational, and informative trip through that we have ever taken.
Ride along with us, as Luke tells us about Cades Cove, the way it was.

[@rondaashby2558]

Thank you and Mr.Ledbetter for sharing all this history of Cades Cove. So many interesting stories I find it fascinating that the people of the lower and upper did not associate. There were so many small schools, it is hard to believe they could afford the teachers.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

I too, was surprised by the number of schools that he told us were there. And I also didn't know about the Cove being divided into upper and lower like that.

[@reginakasakevics7891]

What is the name of this book you’re looking through.? I would like to have it.

[@sharonspivey781]

This video is outstanding!! How wonderful to have an ancestor of Cades Cove, that lived in this Cove and knows it well. The book depicting the pictures of the Cove as a great community of hard working people , what great stories Mr. Ledbetter has and many of which he graciously shared with you both and now y'all passed it to us, your viewers 😊 How wonderful is that! Thank You, Thank Mr. Ledbetter, enjoyed this so much😊 Sincerely, Shays Ways 🚐🚐🌎☕

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, I knew that our viewers would love this, and we are so thankful that Mr. Ledbetter came over to visit us, and then agreed to drive us through there. It was a wonderful experience.

[@rhondacope4947]

WOW best video of cades cove. Mr. Ledbetter was a great historian guide. Memories of Mr. Ledbetter is so precious!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes! We agree!

[@KathyS2464]

My husband and I enjoyed this video so much! Even though we’ve been visiting the cove for over 25 years now, we learned so much that we didn’t already know. You gave us a lot of new things to look for and also think about on our trip coming up soon. Thanks so much for sharing Mr. Ledbetter’s knowledge and your experience with us. We appreciate you both!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so very much for your kind words.

[@curtisstephen7405]

I love to read about the history of Cades Cove & then try to picture it in my minds eye when I'm there. I have so much more to picture now that Mr. Ledbetter has shared his knowledge. I hope I can find that book soon. Thank you all so much for this video.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

He told us that the book is out of print, unfortunately. I hope you are able to find it somewhere, though. It is called "Cades Cove As It Was", and was co-authoried by Delorse Abbott Coada and Judy Abbott Hill.

[@bluebutterfly841]

God bless you Mr Ledbetter. Thank you for sharing your past life History with us. May God bless and keep you. May HIS face shine upon you. What a wonderful memory of your life. We are blessed that you shared this. ❤🇺🇸🙏

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, we were honored to have him take us through there and tell us about this special place.

[@pamcamp1396]

Enjoyed the video so much! My Aunt Betty Tipton Seaton is still living and the last child of JC Tipton who married Louisa Myers daughter of Case “Cassie Myers. They lived in the Cove. She has the receipt of the land sold to the government. Bless you all!!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Wow!! That is very interesting! It would be so neat to have ancestors from the Cove. Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@homesteadingpastor]

We love visiting cades cove, we go through the loop every time we come to Tennessee on vacation. We hope to be riding through there while we are there the end of this month. Enjoyed learning more of the history of this awesome place from Mr. Ledbetter. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, this was one of our most enjoyable rides through the Cove ever. He has so much knowledge of its history.

[@sharonscain7673]

So awesome! What a wonderful treat!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, it really was a treat.

[@papatbone823]

As frequent visitors of Cades Cove, we thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Thank you so much!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

You are very welcome. Thank you so much for watching, and for commenting.

[@papatbone823]

What is the name of that book and author? Also where can we get one?

[@smokymountainman4964]

Excellent video Derrick and Shawnasi. We love Cades Cove. Kim and I are members of the Cades Cove Preservation Society. We have several videos with Mr Luke Ledbetter on them. He is a member of the Cades Cove Perservation Society as well and is very interesting. Thanks for sharing the history of Cades Cove. Many people don't know the history of that special place. It is far more than just a place to look for wildlife. We have a map of all the homes that were in Cades Cove. Thanks again. A wonderful and interesting video. Loved every minute of it.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Oh, wow! We didn't know that. I would love to see some of those videos. Are these videos I could find online somewhere, or are they videos you took with him? Have you met him before? You are correct, that there is so much more to it, than just wildlife. I can't believe how much about Cades Cove, that we really didn't know. It was a pleasure riding along with him, and learning from him.

[@waynemcallister4295]

OUTSTANDING does not even begin to describe this video. We LOVE Cades Cove. It will now be quite different for us. I need to find that book that Mr. Ledbetter gave you. Thank you for sharing your videos.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

I have looked and looked online, and even contacted Mr. Ledbetter. He told us that this book is out of print, unfortunately. I don't know why. It is very informative. Very glad you enjoyed the video, and thank you for watching.

[@deborahclaypool2349]

What a honor !!!!!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, it really was. Thoroughly enjoyed our trip through the Cove with him.

[@sallyjimenez6820]

❤❤❤❤love this video! So much history and information we wouldn't have known. Thank you for making this video and a huge thank you to Mr Ledbetter!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, it was a blessing to have him with us. He has a vast amount of knowledge of Cades Cove. So glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching.

[@pamleblanc3234]

Very interesting, I’ve been to Cade’s Cove hundreds of times and I never knew many of Mr Ledbetter’s stories/history. I do remember when the fields had less trees and a few barns here and there, more than they actually have now. But, thank you for the education Mr Ledbetter & to both of y’all for bringing him forward. As I said in many of your videos The Smokies are my favorite place in our country and I love hearing all the history behind everything. I’ve watched many documentaries on Cade’s Cove and they don’t share what I learned from him. Great video, thank y’all again for sharing. I can’t wait to get back there and see everything he discussed. Btw, I’ve been going to these mountains twice a year since 1959, that’s a long time, today I learned a lot.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, he has been watching the channel for a while. He mentioned he wanted to drive over and meet us in the campground during our camping trip there, and once he arrived and started telling us the history, we asked him if he would go through there with us and show us what he was telling us. One of the most memorable experiences through there, that we have ever had.

[@tedandtinasadventures.9225]

Wow! This was such an interesting tour of the Cove. Tina and I were glued to the t.v. the whole video. We loved all the history and information that Mr. Ledbetter shared with you two. Wish we could have met yall when we were there. Thanks for sharing.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We would love to have met y'all. We are there every year at this same time, so if you all are there next year, let's make it happen. The only bad part about the Cove, is that unless we go into town or something, we don't get messages and don't always know someone is there until later. But we will make it happen. I am glad you both enjoyed this video. When he started just talking to us, I knew this is something others would love to see, so I threw the idea out there of hiring him as a guide to take us through.

[@reneewhetten4909]

What a great vid! Thank you Mr. Ledbetter for your time, knowledge, and love of your family’s past! I love Cades Cove, and often wondered about placements, etc.. but knowing so much more was there…priceless. Thanks you two, for a one of a kind talkie!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We are so glad you enjoyed it. I thought that many people would love seeing the Cove from his perspective. So glad it worked out, that he rode through with us.

[@lynnjefferson222]

WOW!!! A 'one of a kind' video! This was very interesting and made me appreciate the history of Cades Cove, especially after hearing it from someone who was and still is very much a part of it. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@jeffrivers4735]

Wonderful video. If Mr. Ledbetter wasn't a fan of yours all this information would've went to the grave with him. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Very true. So glad he found our channel, and that we got to meet up with him.

[@paulettebrochet2011]

Mr. Ledbetter is a treasure! What stories he shared! Honestly the best video ever. Really wish he could do another video narrating the entire Cove and putting up the pictures of " then/ now" comparisons. What a life he has led and stories he should share and tell. I hope he shares more with yain another video. So interesting. Do they sell the book at the giftshop there? I will need to look for it. Thank you for taking Mr.Ledbetter on a ride around the Cove. His memories and stories are priceless. By the way...that was indeed better than any show on tv. Thanks for sharing and hope to meet y'all sometime too!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Meeting you would be great! We enjoy meeting our viewers. Several people have asked about the book, and we could not find it online. We contacted Mr. Ledbetter to see if he could direct us where our viewers could find it, and he told us the book is now out of print. That is a shame, because while there are other good books on the Cove's history, this one shows the early homes and barns in great detail. The name of it, is "Cades Cove As It Was", and was co-authoried by Delorse Abbott Coada and Judy Abbott Hill. I hope you are able to locate it somewhere, but we could not find it on Ebay or Amazon. Glad you enjoyed this video. When he was talking to us in the campground and telling us stories, I knew that we would have a special video, if we could get him to narrate through the Cove with us. He graciously agreed to do it.

[@paulettebrochet2011]

Thank you so much. Y'all were lucky to be in his company for his tour of the cove.

[@Wanda-dh6gn]

Loved this one so cool to have someone show u around that actually lived there so cool.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, that was great. He taught us so much about the Cove.

[@Marilyn-KY]

I love the history of Cades Cove. Thanks for this video.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Glad you enjoyed it. You are very welcome.

[@chistinecox368]

Been going to Cades Cove for over 30 years and never gets old, I could of listened to him all day, Great video. Oh before I forget did i see Florida beat Tennessee this past weekend 😮😊😮!!!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, I agree, that going to Cades Cove never gets old. It is a beautiful place.

[@ritalockett9788]

Very interesting trip through Cades Cove

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, the most interesting we've ever had.

[@wandagraves4281]

I enjoyed that so much!❤️

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, very interesting.

[@tammybuffkin4338]

What a great video!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes! We had a very enjoyable time with him driving us through the Cove, and pointing out things we never knew.

[@cindalong3926]

This is awesome!! I love to hear people tell old stories

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, it was a blessing to have him go through there with us. Thank you for watching.

[@judyparker8283]

Wow how fascinating! Enjoyed your video and it was great to see ya'll in the National Park again!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We love going to the National Park. We actually did a hike there back in June. Yes, he was very fascinating to listen to. Thank you for watching, and glad you enjoyed it.

[@GwenNfromPA-dd5iu]

Thanks so much for sharing this video. So much information on the Cove, just awesome!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you for watching. We are so glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeremylewis3995]

My family really enjoyed this video! Cades Cove is a special place and we dearly love every trip we take there. It feels like home! This video was very informative. Listening to Mr. Ledbetter was a fun experience. I hope you can do another video of the cove with him again. And I wish we could find that book! Looking forward to more great videos from you all.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, it was truly a blessing having him along with us that day, to tell us things we never would have known. Unfortunately, that book is out of print. But there's another one that he recommended, that is similar. It is called "CADES COVE- THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY", by Durwood Dunn. Hope that helps. Thank you for watching.

[@dannycarpenter4334]

i live in wv but spend lots and lots of hrs hiking thru the cove doing photography and found this interesting... things such as the rock quary he spoke of i found yrs ago and wondered what it was and the cemetary hill i found before the trail was there i wondered about .... thanks for sharing

[@NCMemoryMakers]

You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@omadavis4858]

Thanks for sharing!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thanks for watching.

[@omadavis4858]

You’re welcome! Do you know where I can purchase the book of the cove. Keep the videos of the cove.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@omadavis4858 Several other people have also asked about purchasing this book. I looked online, and could not find it available anywhere. I contacted Mr. Ledbetter to ask him, and he informed us that this book is, unfortunately, out of print now. I don't know why, as it is a very valuable resource. There is another book that I also have, called "The Cades Cove Story", by Arthur Randolph Shields. I would recommend that one, if you can't find the one that we referenced in this video. The difference between the two, is that the book that is available, does not have quite as many detailed pictures of the individual cabins, but it does tell the history of the Cove.

[@bettysuewyatt6170]

My husband and I LOVED this video. What a wonderful tour guide you had. I bet you could have talked to him for days. Can that book be bought in any of the visitor centers? It looked very interesting. Thanks for sharing with us. We're in the middle of watching your other video but had to take a lunch break. 😄

[@NCMemoryMakers]

I definitely could have talked with him for days. Unfortunately, he told us today that this book is out of print. We couldn't find it online, so we asked him. I don't know why it is out of print, as it is very informative.

[@SmokiesLive]

This was such a great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Glad you liked it. We knew that many would love to see the Cove from his perspective.

[@melaniejones9186]

Excellent video

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so much! And thanks to Mr. Ledbetter!

[@lindawiley878]

Loved the tour

[@pattivanderhart2221]

The story of Cade's Cove is a sad one about how the land was taken but on the other hand, it has been spared from modern commercial and residential development that would just be an ugly scar in that area. I hope to get there to see myself one day.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

It's one of the most beautiful places anywhere.

[@amandadryman5593]

I wanna hear the untold story we can’t hear😂 Loved this video❤

[@NCMemoryMakers]

I wish I could, but he swore me to secrecy. There were actually two. One that involved him personally, and some trees up on the right, and another that involved a friend of his at that parking area in the lower field. Neither one of them were anything bad, though. More funny, and a bit embarrassing, than anything else. I wanted him to let me record it, but he declined. I have to respect that. But thank you for watching, and I'm very glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Autoguru83]

Subscribed, stopped while watching to make sure I didn't forget to! Really enjoying this video, I love Cade's cove. I just turned 40 my first time on Cade's cove with age 16. Dad was driving actually my truck on the loop which was my first vehicle, 1989 Toyota 4x4 pickup. I've been back many times since! Love the content guys 👍🏻

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so much for your kind comment, and for the subscription! So glad this video brought back some memories for you. Thanks for watching!

[@sheilarounds5286]

This was a great video. We love watching your vlog. We both thought is was so interesting. We live near Syracuse NY. We have a state park here that is called Letchworth that there that had been a village that is no longer. This park is so beautiful. It is called the Grand Canyon of the east. There is a lot of beauty in NY. We have the Adirondacks and they are beautiful. We love seeing the smoky Mountains it is on our bucket list. Thanks for your great videos. We watch you tube every night. It takes us to many great places. We don't do much regular tv just you tube.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so much for watching, and for letting us know you enjoy our videos. Yes, I have heard very nice things about your part of the state, as well.

[@hayzeebloke]

Another great video, it will certainly enhance our enjoyment of our trip to Cades Cove on 30th. Thanks again.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

You are very welcome. Hope you have a great visit. Let us know what all you do, and how you enjoy it.

[@hayzeebloke]

@@NCMemoryMakers I certainly will. You'll be surprised how much advice we've taken from you. 😁

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@hayzeebloke Glad to know that. We really appreciate it. I just hope anything you do at our recommendation, turns out to be a good experience for you.

[@marktaylor806]

I really enjoy all your videos...I think this one is my favorite! Thank you for this.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thanks so much for watching. Yes, Mr. Ledbetter was a pleasure to listen to. Very informative.

[@koalabear6722]

Interesting! We met a decent, R Hodge in Elkmont, years ago. Gifted us with 2 wood carvings, a hummingbird, and a magnolia flower. The newer big pinkish headstone in one of those church graveyards is probably his. There's not a name on it. We've seen Carter Shields cabin in the fall, beautiful, that's when we camp. 😊

[@NCMemoryMakers]

I am sure it is very beautiful then.

[@reginakasakevics7891]

The park needs to put metal plaques for all of these homesteads and what not that Mr. Ledbetter is pointing out and the places and buildings that’s in the book. It makes me mad that they have not. We’re missing out on too much of the history.

[@jamesledbetter4039]

Neat!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomjones9845]

Can this book be purchased now, or is it from years ago ? I woukd love to have the book‼️ Thank you for sharing this video .

[@davidandjenniferhammond6203]

Great video yall !! Would it be possible to ask Mr. Ledbetter if they are going to publish that book again anytime soon? Thank you.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We actually did contact him about where to find it. He said it was now out of print, and has been for a while. He did not mention any plans to publish it again.

[@davidandjenniferhammond6203]

Thank you.

[@angelaefird596]

My Uncle was a Myers. He was a Cook in the Navy. He is gone now.

[@sandrakinsey1275]

Thanks so much for sharing this video with Luke Ledbetter! I would love to purchase his book. Do you know where I could purchase it?

[@NCMemoryMakers]

He did not author the book, but he gave us his copy. I assume (and hope) that he has another copy for himself. We could not find it online, and we contacted him. Unfortunately, he told us it is out of print. The name is "Cades Cove As It Was". It might be worth checking on ebay, if anyone has a copy. We couldn't find one, though.

[@sandrakinsey1275]

@@NCMemoryMakers Thanks so much for the info. I looked online as well, also checked Sugarlands and Book Warehouse in Pigeon Forge. I couldn’t find it either. Thanks for suggesting EBay.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@@sandrakinsey1275 Wish I could give you a more helpful answer. It can be hard to find a book that is out of print. Was hoping maybe somebody on Ebay might be selling one.

[@JentleRain]

Beautiful area and loved the stories. Are these state lands now or still owned privately?

[@NCMemoryMakers]

They are all part of the National Park Service now. I still remember when there was 1 home left in the Cove, because the man and his wife had a lifetime lease on the land, and were allowed to remain until their passing. His name was Kermit Caughron. Once he passed, I heard that his wife moved out of the Cove. Their house is no longer standing, and the only people to reside within the Park now, are the caretakers of LeConte Lodge.

[@JentleRain]

@@NCMemoryMakers It's actually good, in a way. It stops developers from destroying more land. But boy, I'd love to have a house there. I'd rather be looking up at the mountains than down into a valley. Those roads at the tops of the mountains are something else. Too much building going on up there.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@JentleRain Yes, that's true. Way too much development. But, like you said, it would be wonderful to have a house there and see that every day.

[@nancymcdaniel4733]

I love this!! What a wnderful man! How exciting for yall to be able to ride along with him and learn more about the cove! Ive been to the Cove at least 100 times over the last 30+ years and never knew the things he shared. I would love to find one of those books! Do you know if they are still available somewhere?

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, he was very informative. Unfortunately, the book that he gave us is now out of print. We could not find it online, so we contacted him and asked him. He did, however, give my wife the name of another book that he said also gives some of the same information. I don't know the name of it, but I have asked her to also respond to this question with the answer. Hopefully, she will get the name of that book to you soon.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Good afternoon! The name of the alternate book he recommended is called Cades Cove, The Life and Death of a Southern Appalachian Community 1818 - 1937, by Durwood Dunn. I've had several people tell me they found it on Amazon. I hope you are able to find it. Thank you for watching and commenting! Have a blessed day!

[@nancymcdaniel4733]

@@NCMemoryMakers Thanks so much for getting the info! I truly appreciate it! I searched for the book yall had and discovered its out of print. A few libraries have a copy but its for use in the library only. We will be in the Smokies next month and wanted to search for some of the things yall mentioned when riding thru the cove.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@@nancymcdaniel4733 You are very welcome!

[@jameswise6058]

Hoped he'd say something about about Dr. Randolph Shields...He lived in the Cove and walked to Maryville College where he earned his BS degree...He earned his MS and PhD at University of Tennessee...I knew Dr. Shields when I coached football at Maryville College and he was Professor Emeritus Biology at Maryville...Amazing to walk from Cades Cove to Maryville as often as he did to go to school...

[@NCMemoryMakers]

I mentioned him on our other video, which is titled about 3 Days in the Cove. We walked through the Methodist cemetery where he's buried.

[@jameswise6058]

@@NCMemoryMakers Thanks!!!!! I'll take a look at it....

[@LisaLisainVa]

Just watched this video last night. I would love to know the name and author of the book he gave you!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

The book is titled "Cades Cove As It Was". I showed it close up, about 3:40 into the video. Many people have asked about how to purchase it, but unfortunately, Mr Ledbetter told us it is now out of print. My wife has the name of another book that he recommended, which contains some of this same information. I'll ask her to find the name of that book, and leave it in a comment here.