Smoky Mountains History: From the Cherokee to the Creation of the National Park
Long before the Great Smoky Mountains became one of America’s most beloved national parks, this ancient range was home to thriving cultures, settlers, and deep-rooted Appalachian traditions. Its mist-shrouded peaks hold stories that span centuries—from sacred Cherokee lands to homesteads carved out of wilderness, and eventually, to its preservation as a national treasure. This article…