Charles Bowden
Summertime is always the best of what might be.
If you stand still at Elkmont, you can almost hear summer. Kids laughing as they play tag around the old log cabins. Or waiting for lightning bugs to flicker at dusk. Mothers calling their kids in for supper. Old timers swapping tales of the way it used to be. Life was good, once upon a time.
It was a logging boom that brought the people here — in the early 1900s — as railways transported logs, and families, mostly from Knoxville, Tennessee, settled in to cabin life in the summer.
The place was known as Elkmont, taking the name from the Knoxville Elks Club. Members and residents loved fishing in the Little River and staying in the cabins for the summer. But in 1934, when the Great Smoky Mountains was designated as a national park, summer residents were given a choice: they could either sell their land and move or deed the property to the National Park Service in exchange for a lifetime lease meaning summers in the Smokies into the future.
Some homeowners left. But others stayed. And from what friends have told us, it was the best of times. Returning each year, these summer residents caught up on what had transpired during the year at their non-summer homes, kids played outdoor games, and grown-ups sat in front of stone fireplaces on chilly nights or in rockers on wide front porches.
But in 1992, leases expired, and the National Park Service became the owner. With no one to maintain the summer residences, the houses fell into disrepair — so much so that in 2009 many buildings were razed, leaving only 18 of the original buildings, abandoned but still on view for visitors to Elkmont today. If you visit now, you’ll see a few houses being repaired, but many have remained untouched, blocked off to keep visitors out.
It was an end of an era, for sure. No summer residents. No gathering as they once did at the Appalachian Club to meet, greet, and talk over dinner. And no sounds of happiness on summer nights in Elkmont.
Today, though, for visitors and photographers, these few houses remain as treasures, remnants of the past and reminders of good times known only to the residents and their guests.
Some of the houses are off limits . . .
others are open to explore with caution.
But all are picture-worthy for simple construction or faded-glory colors or the simple details that distinguish one from another. Like the red windows on the Levi Trentham house at the top or the chunky log construction in this sturdy house.
If you listen closely, you just might hear the chatter of the people, sharing their joy as they reconnect each summer, telling about a past school year, or promising to explore a new path during the summer before them.
Ask any former resident of Elkmont about summer living there, and you’ll get an almost tearful, quite nostalgic response. It was loved and treasured by many. And needs to be seen today —
if for no other reason than to let yourself imagine the joy of being in the Smokies summer after summer with friends.
The summer night is like a perfection of thought.
Wallace Stevens
Travel the Smokies,
Rusha & Bert
How to get to Elkmont: Drive US-411 from Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive toward Cades Cove for about 7 miles and turn at the sign for Elkmont Campground.
For more information on the history of Elkmont, try these sites:
Elkmont, Tennessee — Wikipedia;
Visit My Smokies: Everything You Need to Know about Elkmont Ghost Town;
Roadtrippers — There’s an abandoned resort ghost town in the Smokies — here’s how to find it
My Smoky Mountain Guide: Elkmont
gallivance.net
Rusha, these are excellent photos that capture the feel of Elkmont perfectly. I love poking around ghost towns like this. And you’re right, it doesn’t take much imagination to hear the laughter and smell the cooking fires. We came through the Smokies last fall, and for some reason, didn’t visit Elkmont. Next time hopefully. All the best to you and Bert for a happy and healthy 2022. ~James
Oh, the Places We See
I do hope you’ll get to see Elkmont. I have mixed feelings about the repairs simply because I love the abandoned look! (I’m kinda weird, I suppose.)
Keep writing. You’re a joy to follow. And best wishes for a marvelous new year ahead.
Amy
Beautiful old building images, Rusha! A wonderful series, Rusha. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
This is a fascinating place, and one I hope to revisit soon. The park service is renovating several of these homes, and I’d love a return to see what’s new. Thanks for your comment.
Dan Antion
I enjoyed this delightful tour. I camped in GSMNP in 1972 on my way to my freshman year of college.
Wetravelhappy
Wow Rusha another amazing post from you. You know by now that I too am fascinated by old houses and open ‘museums’ like this so thank you! But it must be a bit daunting to walk on the old floors of those opened for viewing?
Oh, the Places We See
The whole place is a bit eerie mainly because I was never there when it was packed with happy families. But it’s a marvel of place, reflective of simpler times and great experiences. I love architecture, too, and this is great to see still standing.
rkrontheroad
It’s good to see some old structures somewhat protected. Your descriptions of the voices of families, children, laughter were very evocative.
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much. I really feel that there are so many people who hold this place dearly in their hearts that maybe you can hear those voices. Hope your summer is unfolding well.
WanderingCanadians
Picture-worthy indeed. I love how different and unique each of the abandoned cabins are. This looks like a great area to explore (and take pictures of) in the Smokies.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a great area to explore, for sure. We’ve strolled through there a couple of time, and I want to go back to see the progress on a couple of cabins under repair. From what little I know from friends, it was a wonderful place for reconnecting each summer — and now a place for nostalgia! Thanks for taking a look.
Rebecca Cuningham
Cabins with great personalities. Great shots!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Rebecca. I loved seeing these old structures, and at a distance or up close, they were all picture-worthy. Thanks so much for taking a look!
kzmcb
Once again, you’ve employed your creative writing skills to bring a place to life. Like you, when I visit a ruin or pioneer settlement, I sit and imagine what people were doing, what they heard and smelled and saw. Whatever summer holiday traditions we have, they are usually remembered fondly and you show great compassion for those missing them.
Oh, the Places We See
I’ve heard from several friends who “grew up” at Elkmont that this was a quite special place. I’ve never had the pleasure of actually being there when people were in the cabins. But even though it’s a ghost town, you can feel the place — a place for reconnecting, talking about your year, and meeting new friends. Not many of these places are left today. Thanks for taking a look.
dawnkinster
What a wonderful place! And a photographer’s dream. I like almost all the cabins and can just imagine sitting on the porch listening to the night noises.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Dawn, for taking a look at this interesting place. I do hope it’s around for many more years. It’s important for all of us to remember that there were resorts like this that people returned to year after year. So glad you recognized the photographic opportunity, as well.
Sue
you and me both!!
Sue
Oh, what an atmospheric place, Rusha!
Curt Mekemson
Okay, I feel nostalgia for Elkmont, Rusha, and I’ve never been there. Your words captured a magical time in the past when those who were fortunate could escape to their summer homes in the woods or on the ocean. It was a time for reading good books, having great conversations, playing games and playing outdoors. It was a time before our lives were constantly interrupted by cell phones, and computers, and all of the other electronic gadgets that dominate our time. No wonder I feel nostalgic. Great post. Loved it. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Curt. As a hiker, you may have come upon little resorts tucked away in national parks, but this one seems rather unique. It was for us, at least. And it definitely supported a different lifestyle than the vacation days we now celebrate where everyone wants theme parks, climbing walls, fast food, etc. This place made summer fun rather slow, but interesting. And when we turn to people for entertainment, we get a whole different perspective on life. Thanks for taking a look!
Carolyn Pearre
Rusha,
I believe the cabin painted green was the Cains cabin where we spent many weekends over the years. We went back to Elkmont two years ago and were glad to see restoration of some of the buildings. Your pictures brought back many happy memories.
Oh, the Places We See
Your memories made me realize just how special this place was for many people. I wish I could have visited it in its heyday!
maristravels
What wonderful photographs! I don’t know about hearing children’s voices but I can certainly feel and sense the past in your images. I would love to see this place.
Oh, the Places We See
It truly is interesting and a bit eerie, in a way. I wish I could have been a guest when all the families were there. Thanks for reading about Elkmont!
Toonsarah
Your words as much as your images conjure up summers past – I can indeed almost hear the voices of the children playing while the adults sit on the porches to gossip. These old buildings must have so many stories to tell …
But although their best days are behind them, what a wonderful place for photography! I would be in my element here 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a great place for taking photos. I needed to move in more closely, but many had limits of where you could stand. It was still fun. And lots of details to note.
Sue
You and me both, Toonsarah!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, ladies!
Prior...
Thanks for this beautiful post as we could feel the before and after – the way you wrote that we might hear the canter of the former residents was well done. And loved this “simple construction or faded-glory colors or the simple details”
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much. I had fun thinking about what must have transpired as these families returned summer after summer. I’m just jealous I never got to stay there!
Prior...
🙂🌼🌼🌼