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What is the Tennessee Overhill?
The Tennessee Overhill is a region of mountains, rivers, towns and crossroads counties in southeastern Tennessee. Named for the Cherokee Overhill towns that once rested on the banks of the Little Tennessee, Tellico, Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers, the Overhill today is made up of the counties of McMinn, Monroe and Polk as well as the southern portion of the Cherokee National Forest. In 1990 the National for Historic Preservation Trust chose the region as one of only sixteen national pilot cultural tourism areas. Today the Overhill is recognized as a national model for cultural tourism development.
What's New in the Tennessee Overhill
Charles Hall Museum
An impressive collection of guns, telephones, and memorabilia from the mountain town of Tellico Plains. This spanking new museum was completed in late 2003 by Charles Hall, longtime mayor and historian of Tellico Plains. It is conveniently located right next door to the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center on the Cherohala Skyway, the nation's newest National Scenic Byway.
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure
First time in 10 years that travelers will be invited to tour the Hiwassee River on the Historic Old Line Railroad. Thirteen-mile trip offers beautiful scenery along the Hiwassee Scenic River and the chance to see spring wildflowers and birds --- all from the comfort of a vintage railroad coach. Passengers will board shuttle busses at the Historic L&N Depot in downtown Etowah, Tennessee for a short ride to Gee Creek State Park where they will board a train provided by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
More Water Available for Rafting on the Upper Ocoee
For many years people have enjoyed the rapids on the middle portion of the Ocoee River. In 1996 a new racecourse was designed on the upper section of the Ocoee River. Today that section is located at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, near Ducktown, TN. While the middle section of the Ocoee River has welcomed whitewater rafting enthusiasts for over 100 days each year, there were only 24 days each year during which the upper section (now called the Olympic Section) was open for public rafting. Starting this spring there will now be 52 days of water scheduled for the upper Ocoee! This means people can choose a half-day trip on the middle Ocoee, a half day trip on the upper Ocoee, or a full day trip on both sections that includes a box lunch. A real river adventure!
Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook
Recently published by the University of North Carolina Press, this guidebook is organized around different trails in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. Although the primary authors are Dr. Brett Riggs and Dr. Barbara Duncan, this book includes voices of Cherokee people themselves. Cherokee people chose the trail sites to represent their heritage to the public. The book reminds readers that many of the physical features of the ancestral lands are still visible to the traveler today. More importantly, the Cherokee people are still here
Savannah Oaks Winery
Sample award winning wines at the tasting room and winery. Family owned farm, vineyard, winery, gift shop, and meeting spaces. Located just off Highway 411 at Delano, Tennessee (halfway between Etowah & Benton). Old time mountain wines made from scuppernongs and muscadines are offered along with many varieties of red and white wines. The wine tasting room includes a nice selection of wine-related gifts, Tennessee cheddar cheese, and wine accompaniments of all kinds.
New Interpretive Signs along the Cherohala Scenic Byway
This National Scenic Byway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. Crossing high peaks of the southern Appalachian Mountains, this spectacular byway offers some of the best opportunities to view the fall color in the Overhill. The Byway now includes interpretative signs, produced by the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, which recount the history and significance of the region. Enjoy spectacular vistas while learning the early history of this part of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Historic Watchman's House Now Open to Travelers.
Stay in the timeless town of Reliance at the Watchman's House, built in 1891. This frame cottage was built on the north side of the Hiwassee River for use by the L&N Railroad Watchman.
His main job was to watch for burning embers on the wooden railroad ride after the coal-fired steam engines passed over. The Watchman's House has been meticulously renovated and is now available for overnight rentals and is a part of the rural Historic District of Reliance, a community that serves as a snapshot of farming and community life in a mountain settlement. Hike the nearby John Muir Trail to enjoy a diversity of wildflowers. Fish or raft the Hiwassee River to make a complete weekend trip on the Hiwassee Scenic River.
Two New Corn Mazes.
Visit two corn mazes, each with their own personalities. Mason's Corn Maze located in Niota is sponsored by Mayfield Diary Farms and is maintained by the Mason family, third generation dairy farmers. Answer dairy questions correctly at the checkpoints and you'll be sent out on the most direct route out of the maze. MaizeQuest Cherokee Indian Adventure at Guthrie Farm in Riceville. Wander the pathways on the 8-acre corn maze to complete puzzles and games related to the Cherokee way of life. Open Sep - Oct.
For Railroad Enthusiasts
Ride on vintage trains. Visit historic railroad stations. Watch trains switch in a live rail yard.
Hiwassee River Rail Adventure
This marks the first time in 10 years that travelers will be invited to tour the Hiwassee River on the Historic Old Line Railroad! Thirteen-mile trip offers beautiful scenery along the Hiwassee Scenic River and the chance to see spring wildflowers and birds --- all from the comfort of a vintage railroad coach. Passengers will first board shuttle busses at the Historic L&N Depot in downtown Etowah, Tennessee for a short ride to Gee Creek State Park where they will board a train provided by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Enjoy the fall and spring colors between Blue Ridge, GA and Copperhill, TN-McCaysville (GA). Every weekend from April through October the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway travels through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the views along 26 miles of scenic railway.
L & N Depot and Railroad Museum, Etowah
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and featured on HGTV's Restore America, this 18 room, restored 1906 Victorian Railroad Depot was the railroad passenger station and home of the L & N Atlanta Division Headquarters. Today the depot features the exhibit "Growing Up With the L&N: Life and Times in the Railroad Town" and serves as a community center for the region, hosting weddings, reunion, meetings as well as several festivals throughout the year. The depot is also a popular place for train watchers who come to see working railyard behind the depot.
Niota Depot, Niota
Built in 1853, the Niota Depot is the oldest standing railroad depot in Tennessee. Now used as offices for the Town of Niota, the depot is open for tours during business hours. While inside look for the gun slots used during the Civil War.
Family Fun
Return the "family" back to your family vacation. The Tennessee Overhill offers attractions, activities, and annual events that will bring joy to the young and the young at heart. Note: All these listings have been kid tested and approved.
A&W Drive-In Diner, Madisonville
Try the burgers and fries at one of the few original A&W Drive-In Diners left. A great inexpensive place to stop for a bite to eat on your way to the many great museums, the Lost Sea, or to the Cherohala Skyway. Don't miss the legendary "A&W Root beer Float."
Mid-Way Drive In Movie Theater
Families looking for something to do during the summer nights can experience the Mid-Way Drive In Movie Theater. Besides enjoying first run movies from your car at this 1960's style drive-in movie theater, there is a snack bar and a children's' playground. There are only about 15 of these drive-in theaters left in Tennessee. Open May-September
Lost Sea
Located on Hwy 68 between Madisonville and Sweetwater, the Lost Sea is the world's largest underground lake. Designated as a Registered National Landmark, the earliest known visitor to the cave was a saber-toothed tiger, whose fossilized remains are now in the Museum of Natural History. A guided walk to the bottom of the cavern is rewarded with a trip in a glass bottom boat.
Ocoee Whitewater Center
Home of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Champions and a whole lot more. In addition to offering paddlers the chance to raft the Olympic Race Channel, the Center also has an easy one-mile hiking trail and access to over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails. A Wildlife Viewing Area at the Center is a hands-on outdoor laboratory-teaching visitors about diverse ecosystems and wildlife habitats. There are picnic areas, and light lunches and soft drinks are available from the Center food cart. Admire the Native Garden, swim in the "blue hole" or just dip your feet in the wading pools. Annual events include Kids Fishing Day, Tanasi Bike Festival, Smokey Bears Birthday and the Ocoee River Rodeo.
Mayfield Dairy Visitor Center
You'll "get the scoop" when you tour one of the largest dairy plants in the Southeastern United States. Enjoy a short video history of the dairy, see how milk is bottled and learn why Mayfield's has often been called "The World's Best Ice Cream." Gift shop and ice cream parlor.
Riddle & Wallace Drug Store
One of the few places to take kids to enjoy real ice cream sodas and homemade orangeades and hamburgers. An old time drugstore counter located on the Historic Courthouse Square of Athens. Featured in Southern Living.
Hiwassee River
Outfitters rent funyaks, tubes and rafts or people can canoe and kayak on their own. This is a peaceful, scenic river that runs through the Cherokee National forest and the pastoral farming community of Reliance. The Hiwassee River is ideal for beginners and families with Class 1 and 2 rapids.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Area
The first British structure built in Tennessee; this reconstructed fort is an ideal place for kids to learn about colonial history. Indoor exhibits share artifacts found during the reconstruction and the park grounds provide room to run and play. Picnic areas, lake beach, and hiking trails make for a nice day for families.
Louisville & Nashville Railroad Station/Museum
This 1906, two-story Victorian rail station is open for tours. An exhibit tells the story of this town built as a planned community by the L&N Railroad and traces its working class history. An active railyard is outside where young and old can look out the upstairs windows to watch trains switching, train crews changes, and trains passing through.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
Tennessee's only Native American owned museum and focuses on Overhill Cherokee history and Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee syllabary. Located on the banks of the Tellico Lake, across the road from Fort Loudoun State Historic Area, they host an annual arts and crafts festival each year with Native American arts and food in conjunction with the 18th Century Trade Faire at Ft. Loudoun.
Sweetwater Valley Farm.
Sweetwater Valley Farms boasts the best farmstead cheese in the state of Tennessee, with names like Tennessee Aged and Volunteer Jack. Stop and see how cheese is made while tasting delicious samples at this family owned and operated dairy farm.
Rivers & Waterfalls
The Overhill is blessed with four rivers, each with its own personality, yet all scenic and running through the mountains of the Cherokee National Forest. Tucked in forested hollows, and sometimes discovered "right in your face" alongside a road, explores to the Overhill will find pristine waterfalls all over the area.
Ocoee River
Site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater slalom events. Commercial outfitters offer guided trips on the middle section of the river March- October. Open to paddlers as well. The upper Ocoee is open for 52 days during the rafting season, allowing for all-day trips on both sections. This river, which begins and ends in Polk County, Tennessee, cuts through the rugged Ocoee River Gorge, a landscape dominated by rock bluffs and historic hydroelectric dams, power housed and a 1912 wooden flume line.
Hiwassee River
A fly fisherman's paradise, fly fishing guide services are also available for this trophy trout stocked river. Outfitters rent funyaks, tubes and rafts or people can canoe and kayak on their own. This is a peaceful, scenic river that runs through the Cherokee National Forest and the pastoral farming community or Reliance. Webb Brothers' Store is a treat for those who enjoy history.
Tellico River
Known for its trout fishing and beautiful waters the Tellico is popular for kayakers and canoeists alike on the free-flowing water. When "Baby Falls" is full, boaters appear from out of the blue to ride the falls. The Tellico River is a great side trip off the Cherohala Skyway.
Conasauga River
Good canoeing is available on this river, but the Conasauga is known to a few people for its unusual underwater watchable wildlife area. Put on a snorkel or mask to see colorful darters in this pristine stream.
Waterfalls
Mountainous areas with lots of creeks and streams produce lots of waterfalls, some in secluded areas and others off the main highways. Among the more popular ones are Bald River Falls, Coker Creek Falls, Conasauga Falls, Turtletown Falls and Benton Falls.
Birds, Butterflies & Blooms
Birding
From backwoods trails to paved scenic byways there are excellent vantage points from which to see everything from Sandhill Cranes, Blue Herons, and other lowland birds to the colorful Warblers that skirt the mountaintops of the high country in the Cherokee National Forest. For those who crave the solitude of the deep forest, there are hiking trails galore. Explorers who prefer the comforts of an automobile will find scenic overlooks where they can sit in the car and spot warblers, woodpeckers and an occasional eagle.
Wildflowers
From late March to early June, the Cherokee National Forest provides an array of wildflower viewing opportunities, especially along the John Muir National Recreational Trail in the Historic District of Reliance, Tennessee. Bloodroot, trout lilies and spring beauty are some of the early bloomers that can be seen beginning in late March. They are usually followed by a rapid profusion of different kinds of trilliums, dwarf iris, mountain laurel, devils bit, flame azaleas and Solomon's seal. These beauties usually bloom through late spring into early May. Not to be forgotten are the rhododendron found in the higher elevations of the Forest.
Fall Color Tour
From late September to early November the hills in the Cherokee National Forest are ablaze with color. Beauty comes in many colors as trees are at or near the fall color season. The last two weekends in October are usually the best time for seeing nature's beauty at its finest with colors peaking first at the higher elevations. People travel from near and far to see nature show off its many colors during the fall of the year. This the perfect time for traveling the Overhill's two National Scenic Byways - the Cherohala Skyway and the Ocoee Scenic Byway.
Watchable Wildlife
The Cherokee National Forest has several sites designated for viewing a variety of plants and animals. The Conasauga River offers a rare underwater setting for wildlife watching. See brood trout up close at Pheasant Fields fish Rearing Pools near Tellico Plains. On the Chilhowee Wildlife Trail you can see three different ecosystems, while on the Gee Creek Wildlife Trail nest boxes have been installed to attract wildlife. There are 262 species of birds that reside in the Cherokee National Forest year-round or seasonally. The John Muir Recreation Trail along the Hiwassee River is one of the more popular spots. Or you can travel across the peaks of the Cherohala Skyway to spot warblers high among the treetops.
Arts, Crafts & Culture
The cultural fabric of the Tennessee Overhill is the result of a mix of many cultural influences. Native American, African, and European influences can be found all over the region. New residents continue to move in from Latin countries and Asia, greatly enriching the cultural mix. Thanks to a number of museums, arts councils, and other groups there are ample opportunities to experience the art and culture of the Overhill. There are the usual places for music, like the Gem Theater in Etowah or one the concert series hosted by our arts councils. But you will also find dance barns, downtown festivals, and county fairs where good music can be heard as well. There are plenty of opportunities to attend musical productions with song and dance, but if you are really lucky you might see authentic buck dancing at the Ramp Tramp or on of dozen bluegrass events. Museum, galleries, and shops offer handmade treasurers from the Overhill, but if you explore our backroads you will spot the out-of-the-way homemade sign offering handmade treasures from a home studio, barn, or carport. The Overhill office is happy to assist media with developing stories based on specific art forms, individual artists, or events.
Antiques, Arts, & Outlets
Sadly, the days of downtowns with big department stores and small butcher shops have long passed. But in the Overhill there are small towns making comebacks through restored buildings, new retail mixes, and new strategies to bring folks in to shop. Antiques, outlets, and art galleries have sprung up in small towns across the Overhill, bringing vitality back to historic downtowns.
Englewood
Taking the concept of "gift shop" to new extremes, the Company Store, located next to the Textile Museum is a great place to find antiques and demonstrate how a town's textile heritage forms the center of shopping activities downtown.
Etowah Antique Row and Outlets
Five blocks of antiques and outlets to browse for antiques, collectibles, discounted furniture & outlets for everything from tools and hardware to beauty supplies. Gem Theater and L&N Depot make nice diversions from shopping.
Sweetwater
Tour this picturesque downtown and its growing antique district. Best sock outlet around.
Tellico Plains
Once a rough and tumble-logging town, today's visitor to Tellico Plains will find a Mountain Victorian town with an entire street devoted to art galleries. Sitting at the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway, this small town is undergoing a renewal by capitalizing on art, history, and its proximity to the Cherohala Skyway. The new Charles Hall Museum and the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center complement the art galleries, eateries, and a fantastic downtown bakery.
Historic Courthouse Square at Athens
Walk around the square to discover unique gift shops and a vintage drugstore. Then explore the nearby McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, or have ice cream where the best is made - Mayfield Dairy Farms.
Copperhill
New shops and an art gallery welcome the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway passengers, who make Copperhill a regular stop along the rail. Nearby is the town of Ducktown, home of the Ducktown Basin Museum (copper mining museum).
Preservation & Conservation
Exciting preservation efforts are underway in the Tennessee Overhill. There are completed projects worthy of media attention as well as exciting projects that are currently underway.
Hike Through History on the Ancient Unicoi Turnpike
A 47-mile section of this 1,000-year-old trail has been declared one of sixteen National Millennium Trails. The entire trail once connected East Tennessee to the coastal areas of South Carolina, but the designated section only runs from Vonore, Tennessee to Murphy, North Carolina. Community groups in Tennessee are working with the Cherokee National Forest to restore a three-mile section of this ancient trade path to open to hikers. The remainder of the Tennessee section of the trail will also be developed as an auto tour. Hopes and dreams for the future of the Unicoi Turnpike include acquisition of an historic fort site at Coker, interpretation of the history of the trail, and development of convenient public access points along the route.
Old Line Railroad
A coalition of people from two southeastern Tennessee counties have come together to save the Old Line Railroad. The Old Line RR was built through the Hiwassee River Gorge and mountains of North Georgia in 1890. The line crawls through the rugged Hiwassee River Gorge & passes through the Historic District of Reliance to connect Etowah, Tennessee to Copperhill, Tennessee. The line includes the Historic Hiwassee (Bald Mountain) Loop, reputed to be the third longest rail loop in the world. Excursions along thirteen miles of the route will be offered to the public in May of 2004.
Conservation Education Programs at Ocoee Whitewater Center
Built by the Cherokee National Forest for the 1996 Olympic whitewater competition, this center includes the Olympic race channel, with paved walkways along both sides of the race course, a native garden of wildflowers, a medicinal plant garden, a restored section of the historic Old Copper Road now open to bikers and hikers, new bike trails, "play pools" for swimming and water for rafting a paddling on a limited basis. Special events are held and a variety of educational programs are available for individuals and groups. Fun educational programs have also been designed and made available in order to give students a hands-on outdoor classroom experience to learn about wildlife habitats and the diverse ecosystems within a forest community.
Historic Tellico Plains Ranger Station
Once a CCC Camp, this station has been meticulously restored to its original "look" with a visitor center and exhibit area that interprets the CCC history. Great side trip off the Cherohala Skyway.
Historic Donely Cabin
Get away from it all at this Civil War era log cabin tucked inside the forest. Now available to the public for overnight rentals. Guests hike ¼ mile into the forest to reach their own private space. Fireplace and beds; no electricity or running water.
L&N Depot
Featured on Restore America as an example of community involvement in a significant restoration effort, this 1906, two-story Victorian rail station is open for tours. An exhibit tells the story of this town built as a planned community by the L&N Railroad and traces its working class history. An active railyard is outside where visitors enjoy trains switching, changing crews and passing through.
Gem Theater
The City of Etowah and its citizenry have returned life to this 1927 movie house. The theater is now home to the Gem Players, the Cousin Jake Tullock Bluegrass Convention, the Winter Bluegrass Series, and the Etowah Arts Commission's art gallery.
Reliance Historic District
The only farming district in the area on the National Register, located along the scenic Hiwassee River. Great little general store open spring through fall. L&N Watchman's House now restored and open to the public. Other structures in the district include farmhouse, outbuildings, the Higdon Hotel, and Hiwassee Union Church.
Restored L&N Watchman's House
Built in 1891, the Watchman's House located in Reliance has been meticulously restored and turned into a guesthouse. Originally, the railroad hired workers to stay at the house to watch that the wooden railroad trestles did not catch fire.
Englewood: Reclaiming a Mill Town's Heritage
Someone once asked the question "Why would anyone go to Englewood, Tennessee to visit the Englewood Textile Museum when they could visit the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and see an exhibit about textile history there?" Well, the reason is simple. Aside from the fact that the Englewood displays have been lovingly crafted, by visiting the Englewood Textile Museum you will be placing yourself within the geographic and cultural context of a classic southern Appalachian textile mill town. And you will see firsthand how the town's heritage has played a role it its economic recovery. In Englewood's downtown you will find the Englewood Textile Museum, the Company Store (an antique mall run by the museum), and the Little White House, an early mill owners home that is undergoing restoration to become part of the museum. Here you will see the place, meet the people, and feel the spirit of a southern mill town that is proud of its place in history.
Burra Burra Copper Mine (Ducktown Basin Museum)
The only state owned historic industrial site in Tennessee. The Burra Burra Mine is now home to the Ducktown Basin Museum. Exhibits relate the mining history back to the mid-1800's, the area's connection to global and national environmental issues, and the unique social aspects that resulted from people coming from all over the world to work the mines. The museum is located in what is known as the Copper Basin (or "The Basin" to local folks). Once a denuded landscape that was visible from space, the Basin is being reclaimed through remediation work conducted by a coalition of agencies and corporations. Preservation & Conservation continued.
Old Copper Road
During the mid to late 1800s, the Old Copper Road was the sole route used by copper haulers to transport ore from the copper mines around Ducktown and Copperhill to the train terminal at Cleveland, Tennessee. The road was literally gouged out of the Ocoee River Gorge by a workforce that include Cherokee Indians and local farmers. Although much of the road is now hidden underneath the asphalt of US Highway 64 that runs from Ocoee, Tennessee to Ducktown, Tennessee, there is an intact original section that remains near Ducktown. Winding through Cherokee National Forest lands, this remnant of early copper mining and transportation was restored as part of the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Today it is a favorite spot for families and others who love to hike or bike.
Historic Ocoee River Dams
Hwy 64 through the Ocoee gorge is home to three powerhouses and a wooden flume line built in the early 20th century to generate electric power. Ocoee Number One (known by locals as the "big concrete dam"), Ocoee Number Two, the Diversion Dam (known by locals as the "stick dam) and the famous Ocoee Flume Line are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ducktown Green-Gold Conservancy
A grammar school, located in a small mining town, owns a land conservancy that adjoins school grounds on which is one of the southernmost native cranberry bogs in the US. The school, itself, is a rather ornate building originally constructed as a college and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Outdoor Adventure
Containing the southern portion of the Cherokee National Forest, the Tennessee Overhill offers a wide variety of activities for the adventurous. A number of Overhill outfitters and ranches are now offering adventure packages. Several lodging facilities and outfitters offer special programs for groups, from youth activities to corporate team building sessions. So whether your interested in world class whitewater, hunting, camping, hiking or biking, you'll find something in the Tennessee Overhill to bring out the adventurer.
Kayaking
The Olympic course on the upper Ocoee River is known around the world as the premier place for whitewater competition, but both sections of the river are also a great playground for the growing number of paddlers. Guaranteed water release days are available on this dam-controlled river.
Whitewater Rafting
Guided trips on the Ocoee River are available for those age 12 and up. Trips include the upper and/or lower river. On the Hiwassee River, rentals are available for rafts, funyaks and tubes for all ages.
Fishing
The Overhill offers world-class fishing opportunities on several scenic rivers. Guide services are available.
Mountain Biking
Several Businesses offer rental bikes as well as guided trips. The Cherokee National Forest is developing a growing number of trails for bikers, ranging from easy trails perfect for viewing the changing colors of the forest to more challenging rides. Huge improvements and mileage increases have recently been completed on the 20+ miles of the Tanasi Bike Trail at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, which has a new ultra lightweight bike named for it.
Water Sports
Water-based recreation includes water skiing and boating.
Gold Panning
Coker Creek offers visitors the opportunity to pan for gold in creeks that lured fortune seekers before the California gold rush.
Horseback Riding
Several stables offer guided rides on private property or in the Cherokee National Forest, some on trails accessible only by foot or horse.
Hunting & Fishing
Wild boar, turkey and black bear, as well as deer, are available during big game hunts. There's good fishing on several rivers, some with guide services. Trout Unlimited called the Hiwassee River one of the top 100 trout rivers in the US.
Llama Trekking
Hiking with llamas packing the load makes for a unique experience and can be done in the winter as well as warmer weather.
Team Building
Group activities from rafting to ropes courses are available from several facilities.
Cherokee Heritage
Explore the Tennessee Overhill through the footsteps of the Cherokee, the earliest residents of the region. From early life along the Little Tennessee River to the settlement of the British to the Trail of Tears in 1838 follow along in the footsteps of the Cherokee. There are also many special events and festivals throughout the year which celebrate the history and culture of the Cherokee Nation that can be added to your existing tour or can be the main focus of your trip. An all-inclusive guidebook titled
Cherokee Heritage Trails is now available from the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association and other outlets.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
Located on the banks of the Tellico Lake on tribal land. Visit Tennessee's only Native American owned museum which focuses on Overhill Cherokee history and Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee syllabary. This museum tells the first chapter of the story of how the Cherokee and European fur and hide trade brought change to the Overhill region.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Area
Visit this reconstructed British, which was the first British structure in Tennessee. Learn how the European and Cherokee cultures clashed as the British and French tried to position themselves to control the land and economy of the Overhill region.
Tellico Blockhouse(across the lake from Ft. Loudoun)
Across the lake from Fort Loudoun is the site of Tellico Blockhouse, a fort built in 1794 by the United States government to preserve the fragile peace between the Cherokee and white settlers. Stone foundations of the fort were exposed by archaeological investigations during the 1970s have been stabilized for public visitation. Interpretive exhibits among the ruins tell the story of the Tellico Blockhouse and its role in maintaining order on the Cherokee frontier and promoting the "civilization" policy of the United States government. Visitors to the site can wander among the foundations and look across the river toward the old Cherokee Nation.
Nancy Ward Gravesite
Overlooking pastoral fields that lie next to the Ocoee River, this site holds the graves of Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman of the Cherokee and her son Five Killer. This place is very near to the location of the inn and river portage run by Ward.
Red Clay State Park
Learn about Red Clay and its role in the 19th century Cherokee. Developed to preserve and commemorate the Cherokee Council Grounds that served as the de facto capital of the Cherokee Nation from 1832 until 1837. The 260-acre park includes an interpretive center, reconstructed council building and Cherokee farmstead. The focal point of the Red Clay Park is the Council Spring, a large blue spring that issues more than a half million gallons of water a day. Four thousand Cherokees attended the August 1837 general council session at Red Clay, the last grand council of the Cherokee Nation in the east.
Heritage Trails
From Native Gardens to Cheese Farms: AgriCulture in the Tennessee Overhill
Farming has held a place of importance in the Tennessee Overhill for generations, and even though farming has changed, its importance has not diminished. The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association offers a trail guide designed to lead visitors to places where they can purchase slow cured hams, the only cheddar cheese made in Tennessee, apples, daylilies, muscadine wines, and more. There is a dairy plant that offers free tours to learn how ice cream is made, two corn mazes, a native plant garden at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, and a cheese factory run by a sixth generation farmer. Titled Agriculture in the Tennessee Overhill, the colorful brochure includes a map marked with suggested stops along the way and a brief overview of the farming history of the Tennessee Overhill, a region in southeast Tennessee that got its name from the earliest farmers who worked the land there - the Overhill Cherokee.
From Furs to Factories: Exploring the Industrial Revolution in the Tennessee Overhill
The Tennessee Overhill has often been called a "museum without walls" because the blending of small towns, museums, historic sites, and cultural landscapes in this corner of southeastern Tennessee reveals a story that was repeated up and down the Appalachian Mountain range. It is a story of Cherokee Indians, fur traders, settlers, copper miners, mill workers, railroaders, farmers, and more. But it is more than a story of the mountains, or even of its people. It is an American story. A free brochure guides modern explorers from place to place. For the more serious student of history the Overhill published a book that is available for sale,
Tennesseeans at War: From Battlefields to Bombs in East Tennessee
A regional brochure celebrating East Tennessee's rich military history and heritage. This brochure gives visitors the opportunity to explore 250 years of fighting for freedom from the French and Indian War to World War II. This brochure tells "why and where" to visit East Tennessee history sites. The free brochure includes a brief history of each war, regional map, and information on places to visit and annual events. Tennessee Overhill attractions featured in the brochure include the Englewood Textile Museum, the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and Fort Loudoun State Park.
History
Museums and historic sites spin tales of miners, railroad towns, Overhill Cherokee Indians, British forts, fur traders, women textile workers, Civilian Conservation Corps Camps, loggers, pioneers and more. When combined, these museums present the rich history of the settlement of the frontier to the coming of the Industrial Revolution, which created the towns, and diverse mix of people that are here today.
Charles Hall Museum, Tellico Plains
Experience the past with the vast collection of local historical memorabilia of Charles Hall, former Mayor and local historian. Mr. Hall's collection includes photographs, guns, telephones and much, much more.
Ducktown Basin Copper Museum
Visit this museum on the grounds of the Burra Burra copper mine to learn about the history of copper mining, vast environmental changes, and the diverse mix of people who migrated to the Great Copper Basin because of the boom in copper mining.
Englewood Textile Museum, Englewood
This museum recounts the history of the textile industry in Englewood and the important roll women played in the development of this unique southern textile town.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Area, Vonore
Visit this reconstructed British Fort which was the first British structure in Tennessee. Located across the road from Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Living history demonstrations take place on selected weekends and a large 18th century Trade Faire thrills young and old each September. In addition to the fort, there are areas for picnicking, swimming, and hiking.
Gem Theater, Etowah
Located in downtown Etowah, this restored 1927 theater hosts live performances throughout the year, including concerts, plays and numerous local annual events including the annual Cousin Jake Bluegrass Festival.
L & N Depot and Railroad Museum, Etowah
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and featured on HGTV's Restore America, this 18 room, restored 1906 Victorian Railroad Depot was the railroad passenger station and home of the L & N Atlanta Division Headquarters. Today the depot features the exhibit "Growing Up With the L&N Life and Times in the Railroad Town" and serves as a community center for the region, hosting weddings, reunion, meetings as well as several festivals throughout the year. The depot is also a popular place for train watchers who come to watch the working railyard behind the depot.
McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, Athens
Countless, beautifully displayed exhibits offer a glimpse of small town life. Explore three floors with 30 permanent exhibit areas, which trace the history of McMinn County, from the Cherokee through the 1940s. Special events and classes throughout the year, including one of the South's largest quilt shows.
Reliance Historic District
Wind alongside the Hiwassee River on Hwy 30 till you reach Webb's Store where you'll find refreshments, a memorabilia display and raft & tubing adventures, --all under one roof! Or stop in at any one of several bait and tackle shops along the road as it continues on to Hwy 64 and the Ocoee River.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore
Visit Tennessee's only Native American owned museum. The museum focuses on Overhill Cherokee history and Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee syllabary. Located on the banks of the Tellico Lake, across the road from Fort Loudoun State Historic Area, the museum hosts an annual arts and crafts festival each year with Native American arts and food.
Scenic Drives
The Tennessee Overhill is blessed with byways and backroads where the breathtaking fall and spring colors stretch as far as the eye can see, with two National Scenic Byways topping the list.
Cherohala Skyway
Travelers on the Tennessee side of the highway are treated to the magnificent splendor of the Cherokee National Forest, including Bald River Falls and the Tellico River, where it is not uncommon to see a daring kayaker or leisurely fly fisherman making the most of these grand river resources. One trip to the Cherohala is only the beginning. Season after season the Cherohala Skyway is becoming the most talked-about scenic drive in the East and is quickly becoming popular with motorcycle enthusiasts across the country.
Ocoee Scenic Byway
First National Forest Scenic By-Way in the United States. Consisting of 26 miles of highway that winds alongside the Ocoee River and up to the Chilhowee Campground on Forest Service Road #77. This highway passes through scenic areas dominated by rock bluffs, mountain peaks, and historic sites such as the Ocoee Flume Line and Powerhouses, Confederate Camp, and Old Copper Road. The panoramic views from the Chilhowee Overlooks and Boyd Gap are favorites of photographers.
Hiwassee River Road
Follow Hwy 30 from Hwy 411(halfway between Etowah & Benton) to Reliance and on up the mountain on Forest Service Road 108 to the Hood Overlook and the Apalachia Powerhouse. Expect to see a number of heron and other birds as well as seasonal blooms and color.
Hiwassee to Greasy Creek and the World
Follow Hwy 30 from Hwy 411 to Reliance. Continue to Hwy 30 through the backwoods community of Greasy Creek. After enjoying a winding road and pretty scenery, connect back up to Hwy 64 near Parksville Lake and return to the rest of the world.
Tellico River Road
Follow the Tellico River up to beautiful Bald River Falls, where you can park to view the falls or hike to the top for a picnic. Near the end of Forest Service Road 210 is located the Pheasant Fields Fish Rearing Pools, where visitors can see large brood trout up close.
Highway 68 Mountain Crafts Tour
Follow Hwy 68 from Tellico Plains to Coker Creek, Ducktown, and Copperhill. Whether you come in to Copperhill from Atlanta or start from the Cherohala Skyway at Tellico Plains you will find arts and crafts galleries all along this mountain road.
Unique Places
You won't find high rises or glass and steel buildings in the Tennessee Overhill. Many of the points of interest lie along highways and backroads surrounded by streams, mountains and forests or found in the small towns of McMinn, Monroe and Polk county.
Lost Sea, Sweetwater
The United States' largest underground lake. An easy walk to the bottom of the cave rewards explorers with glass bottomed-boat rides. Adventure-overnight tours can be arranged for groups all well.
Mayfield Dairy Visitor Center, Athens
You'll "get the scoop" when you tour one of the largest dairy plants in the Southeastern United States. Enjoy a short video history of the dairy, see how milk is bottled and taste why Mayfield's has often been called "The World's Best Ice Cream."
Swift Museum, Athens
Several authentic restored versions of the original Globe and Temco Swift airplanes are on permanent display. Swift aircraft and pilots converge once a year at the Swift National Fly-In Airshow on Memorial Day Weekend.
Chilhowee Gliderport
See the Tennessee Overhill as you glide and soar on a sleek white glider with pilots provided by Chilhowee Gliderport.
Ocoee River & Whitewater Center
Site of the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak Competition, the Ocoee hosts several international whitewater events each year and number of commercial river outfitters offer expert guides to help you capture the excitement of Class IV rapids. The Ocoee River played an important role in the development of early hydroelectric power and the Historic Ocoee Flume Line and Powerhouses, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stand as reminders of that past. The past and future blend at the Ocoee Whitewater Center where visitors can choose a hike on the Old Copper Road, enjoy the Native Garden or play in the pools of water.
Gem Theater, Etowah
Located in downtown Etowah, this historic theater built in 1927 hosts live performances throughout the year, including concerts, plays and numerous local
Niota Depot, Niota
Built in 1853, the Niota Depot is the oldest standing railroad depot in Tennessee. Now used as offices for the Town of Niota, the depot is open for tours during business hours. While inside look for the gun slots used during the Civil War.
Cherokee National Forest
Fall color extravaganza and the explosion of wildflowers in the spring create a backdrop for spectacular waterfalls, rivers, streams and trails. The Cherokee is known for water sports, hiking, camping, pleasure driving and an abundance of wildlife.
Annual Events & Festivals
The cultural diversity of the region is reflected in the special events, festivals, museum exhibits and concerts that flourish in the Tennessee Overhill. Come experience our culture and natural heritage in Southeast Tennessee.
Annual Quilt Show and Competition, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, Athens
One of the South's largest quilt show featuring more than 250 antique and contemporary quilts in a variety of categories. Held each May through June accompanying the Quilt Show, in its 20th year, are workshops, demonstrations and a miniature auction. Out of this quilt show developed the Annual Japanese Quilt Show with approximately 50 exquisite; award-winning quilts from the Japanese Quilting Society in Tokyo, Japan are exhibited September through October. The traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony highlights the show.
Ramp Tramp, Greasy Cree
Held the last weekend in April, continues a 4o plus year tradition of "tramping" through the woods and gathering wild ramps to eat. The Festival offers a ramp meal for a small charge and bluegrass music. A great "homegrown" event.
Cousin Jake Bluegrass Festival, Gem Theater, Etowah
Cousin Jake Tullock, who played bass for the famous Flatt and Scruggs Band, grew up in Etowah, TN. He left home at age 16, telling his parents that he intended to become the best guitar player in the area. Learning that Flatt and Scruggs were searching for a new bass player he taught himself how to play the bass in two weeks, went to Nashville, and was hired. His style was unusual, earning him the nickname of "Slapping Jake," but it worked well for Flatt and Scruggs and Jake played on with the group for nearly twenty years. He retired back to Etowah where he lived until his death. Cousin Jake's legacy is celebrated each year in March when the stage of the Historic Gem Theater in downtown Etowah comes alive for a weekend of the music that Jake loved
Sequoyah Arts and Crafts Festival, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore
Experience Native American and Anglo-American food, arts and crafts, music and dance, games for kids. The Sequoyah Museum is Tennessee's only Native American owned museum. Resting next to Tellico Lake, the festival is a delight for young and old.
18th Century Trade Faire, Fort Loudoun State Historic Area, Vonore
Held in conjunction with the Sequoyah Crafts Festival just across the road from the fort, the Faire is a recreation of the Trade Faires of the 18th Century. Because the Faire takes place at a reconstructed British fort, the festival has a magical quality to it. Walk the streets of the faire and check out the wares of the period vendors. Sample the food and enjoy the entertainment of the 18th Century.
Lodging
Lodging in the Overhill ranges from primitive campsites to modern motels, from bed & breakfasts to rustic lodges. Contact the Overhill office for more information.
Bed & Breakfasts
There are a number of excellent bed & breakfasts in the Overhill: historic homes in the copper mining towns of Ducktown and Copperhill; historic homes in Athens, Tellico Plains, Conasauga – all welcoming guests
Cabins
The word cabin used to translate to "rugged living." And there are some of those rugged cabins left in the Overhill, but there are also plenty of modern cabins with heat & air, Jacuzzis and more. Today's cabins can accommodate the outdoorsman who wants to cook up a venison stew and also those who bring their sushi along with them, preferably to be eaten near air conditioning.
