The Donley Cabin is an authentic two-room 19th century primitive and historic cabin that displays an unusually wide range of log cabin construction styles, including Swiss, German, and English. According to local sources, the fireplace room, the oldest part of the cabin, was built during the early 1860’s by a man who used the cabin as a hideout to avoid…
Copper mining took place in the Ducktown Basin (Copper Basin) from 1850 to 1987, with more than a dozen mines operating at one time. The Burra Burra Mine, located in Ducktown, Tennessee, operated from 1899 until 1959. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site includes the Mine Office, Shops, Change House, Hoist House, and Powder House. The…
This small frame church is all that remains of Bethsalem, a small farming community that was founded by freed slaves after Emancipation. The church began in a brush arbor. Later a log building was built that was replaced in the 1920’s by the current frame structure. For many years Bethsalem was a favorite site for camp meetings. A cemetery sits…
Wind alongside the Hiwassee River on Hwy 30 till you reach Webb’s Store at the junction of Highway 30/Highway 315. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the district includes Webb Brothers General Store, the 1898 L&N Railroad Watchman’s House, Hiwassee Union Church, and the Higdon Hotel. The store is open seasonally. The Watchman’s House has been restored and…
Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman of the Overhill Cherokees, and her son Fivekiller are buried here. Their graves overlook the pastoral landscape along the Ocoee River, near where she operated an inn at Womankiller Ford in her later years. The site is owned by the State of Tennessee and managed by the Hiwassee/Ocoee Hiwassee State Park. See the Nancy Ward…
The original fort was built on the Old Federal Road (near the Tennessee / Georgia state line) in the early 19th century. It was used in 1838 to detain Cherokee Indians prior to their forced removal on the Trail of Tears. Time erased most of the fort’s structures, but the block house survived and was moved to the grounds of…
The Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park straddles both sides of the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers. The Hiwassee is great for canoeing, rafting, and fishing, while the Ocoee provides Class III and IV whitewater rapids. For river-side camping, check out Gee Creek Campground. Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park Brochure | Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park Map Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park 423-263-0050 or 888-867-2757 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/hiwassee-ocoee
One of the few drive-in movie theaters still open. From early spring through late fall, families enjoy double feature movies on a large screen under the stars. The grounds include a snack bar and playground with picnic area. Movies start at dusk during open season.
Gold was discovered in 1827 at Coker Creek, located in the high country of Monroe County, Tennessee. Today, sections of Coker Creek in the Cherokee National Forest (CNF) are open for panning. All panners must register and acquire a permit (free) from the CNF. Permits are available at the Coker Creek Welcome Center on Hwy. 68 or the Tellico Ranger…
Home of the largest underground lake in the nation, the caverns include an extensive collection of anthodites (cave flowers). A guided walk to the bottom of the cave is capped off with a boat ride on the lake. The Lost Sea is a registered US Natural Landmark. The Wild Tour, an overnight caving tour for groups, is a favorite of…
