Cades Cove

Cades Cove contains more historic buildings than any other location in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Among the collection are a working grist mill, three churches, cantilever barns, and homes which reflect a variety of 19th century construction styles.

The Cherokees called the cove Tsiyahi -- otter place -- presumably because river otters lived there. Although there are no signs Cades Cove was ever a major Indian settlement, the Cherokee did hunt and gather food in the cove and they developed a trail system that was used by European-American explorers and settlers.

Most historians attribute the name "Cade" to the Cherokee also, either from Chief Kade who frequented the area or Kate, wife of Chief Abraham of Chilhowee. When the first whites, John and Lucretia Oliver, arranged to settle in the cove, they were given food by the Cherokee, likely saving the Olivers from starvation.

With the Calhoun Treaty in 1819, the Cherokee relinquished rights to Cades Cove, though a few remained in the immediate area through the 1820s.

Non-Indian settlement of Cades Cove was rapid. Newcomers found the land fertile and amenable to the cultivation of corn, wheat, oats, rye, flax, sorghum, and vegetables. Game was plentiful, livestock could be fattened on grassy highland meadows, and wild chestnuts, berries, greens, and herbs were free for the taking. Between 1821 and 1850, the number of households mushrooms from 1 to 132.

A one-way, 11-mile loop road takes you through the cove at a leisurely pace and a self-guiding auto tour booklet interprets the various structures. The Cable Mill area, located midway around the loop road, features a visitor center, grist mill, and other historic buildings and is the site for occasional special events and demonstrations.

Historic Buildings in Cades Cove
White-tailed deer Plentiful in Cades Cove, white-tailed deer can be seen by the hundreds in the beautiful fields of Cades Cove	Church in the Cove There are several churches in Cades Cove, including a Baptist and Presbyterian.	Cades Cove in a storm Cades Cove is beautiful whether the weather is sunny or during a storm.
Oliver Place The Oliver homestead built by John and Lucretia Oliver, who arranged to settle in the cove. They were given food by the Cherokee, likely saving the Olivers from starvation.	Tipton Place Tipton Place contains a two-story frame house, blacksmith shop, apiary, smokehouse and woodshed. Across the road is an unusual drive-through corncrib. Nearby is a cantilever barn.	Carter Shields Cabin George Washington "Carter" Shields (1844-1924) bought this land and cabin from John Sparks in 1910. The cabin dates to 1830-40s. Shields lived in the cove until 1921.
Cantilever Barn This barn structure was popular in Cades Cove during its settlement days.	Black Bear Black bears are a favorite tourist attraction in Cades Cove. It is common to see a bear eating leaves while sitting on a tree limb. Bears are plentiful in Cades Cove.
Grist Mill The Grist Mill marks the half way point on the 11-mile Loop Road through Cades Cove.
Churches: The Methodist Church was built in 1902 by the late John D. McCampbell, pastor of the church for many years. McCampbell, a carpenter, built the church featuring two front doors. The left door was for women and children, the right door for men. The church was built in 115 days at a cost of $155. The congregation worshipped in a log building from the 1820s until the existing building was erected. Beside the church is a burial ground. The Primitive Baptist Church, organized in 1827, was a log building until 1887 when a frame building was erected. An adjoining burial ground is the final resting place for many Olivers, Gregorys, Anthonys, and Shields, early cove families. In the cemetery is the grave of Russell Gregory, who is memorialized in the naming of Gregory's Bald. The Missionary Baptist Church was formed in 1839 by members who were dismissed from the Primitive Baptist Church because they favored supporting missionary work. The existing building was erected in 1894 when the church had 40 members. Featured: The Tipton Family Memories - gives history of the Cades Cove Tipton family with photos. Above photos courtesy of Tim Seaver: Church in the Cove, Cades Cove in a Storm, Cantilever Barn, Oliver Place, Tipton Place, and Carter Shields Place. © 2002-2007 Image Builders. All rights reserved.