Rubyw's Trail

The Smoky Mountain National Park was not that easy to establish.  It took Independent funds from citezens in surrounding areas.  It also required the cooperation of all the residence that were currently living inside the boundaries of the Park.  After the park was established by president Roosevelt in 1940 the remaining residents who decided to remain in the park were completely cut off from all natural resources around them and were indirectly forced out of the park.

HOT:  Even though the park is environmentally nescissary, was it ethnically right to put the park where people had already been building their lives and families for generations?

Elkmont was originally a summer get away for the wealthier people of Knoxville Maryville, and Sevier County.  It started as a logging industry that grew into an empire.  All of this was eventually given up by the President of the firm, Col. Townsen so that the National park could be established.  Col. Townsend also sold off 76,500 mountain acres to the state which were then transferred to the Federal Government for the National Park.  There were many objections from the private land owners in Elkmont and would not budge in selling their land.  Eventually an agreement was met in the accomodations for the land owners.  Elkmont is now a historical community in the Smoky Mountains

HOT:  What would have been your solution for getting a community of 4 generartions to give up their land for a national park?

Cades Cove is a beautiful 6,800 acre valley in the smokies located near Townsend.  There is a variety of plants and wild life that can be spotted.  There is an 11 mile loop that can be traveled around Cades Cove and a small visitor center at the entrance to the valley.  There are also many historical buildings that have been preserved in the valley

HOT:  What are some qualities about this valley that would make it unique to any other valley in the mountains?