Smoky Mountain Soul

A black-and-white historical photograph of a small airport terminal building with a flagpole in front. Numerous vintage cars from the early-to-mid 20th century are parked in a semicircle around the entrance. Large crowds of people gather around the building and along grassy runways in the background, where several early model airplanes are parked or taxiing. Open fields and tree lines stretch into the distance, capturing a busy aviation event or airshow from a bygone era.

McGhee Tyson Airport Opening, October 1937

Black-and-white aerial photograph of a newly constructed highway interchange in Knoxville, Tennessee, labeled “West Hills – Bearden.” The image shows sweeping cloverleaf ramps connecting wide, open stretches of road cutting through mostly undeveloped land and farmland. A few scattered houses, small buildings, and a large retail structure with a parking lot appear in the lower right corner. In the distance, rows of residential neighborhoods are visible, with fields and hills stretching toward the horizon under a hazy sky.

I-40 at West Hills, Knoxville Tennessee circa 1959. Sure has changed a lot now.

Black and white photograph of two women standing on a narrow suspension bridge over a shallow river. The bridge is supported by cables and dips slightly in the middle. One woman wears trousers and a vest over a shirt, while the other wears a buttoned shirt and slacks. Both are smiling at each other. Dense trees and foliage surround the riverbank in the background.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1939...

The swinging bridge across the Little Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, TN

Source
Tennessee Department of Conservation

A black-and-white historical photograph showing five people standing outside a wooden building. Two men lean against the wall on the left, one with hands in his pockets and another holding a pipe. In the center, a woman in a long dark skirt and white blouse stands beside a man in a suit and tie at the building’s entrance. Another man in work clothes and a vest stands nearby. A sign on the wall reads “House of South …” with smaller writing below. The setting appears to be early 20th century, with rural or small-town surroundings.

Knox County, Tennessee, ca 1900.....

Solway Depot, Knox County, TN... Oliver Henry Cobb at far right.

Source
Knox County Two Centuries Photograph Project

Black and white historical photograph of a logging or construction site in a forested mountainous area. The dirt road is cut into a hillside, with large trees standing on either side. On the right, an overturned piece of heavy equipment lies on its side, while another machine with a crane arm is positioned in the middle of the road. Workers are standing nearby, and piles of earth and debris are scattered around the site. In the background, hills and dense trees extend into the distance.

In the mid-1920’s, before the GSMNP was established, NC &TN agreed to build a new road. The previous road topped the ridge through Indian Gap but the new paved road was planned a few miles to the east,through Newfound Gap.The park employed master road builder, John L. Humbard to oversee the project.

Sepia-toned historical photograph of a rural Appalachian logging or mining settlement, with wooden cabins, sheds, and stacked lumber scattered across a hillside valley. Smoky hills rise in the background under a hazy yellow-tinted sky.

Elkmont, Tennessee, now part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County (c. 1915).

A black-and-white photograph of four people riding on a small rail car traveling along a narrow track carved into the side of a rocky mountain. The group, consisting of two women, a man, and a child, appears relaxed and cheerful, with some seated and others standing on the open rail car. The track curves around the mountainside, with steep rock walls on one side and a scenic, tree-covered mountain landscape in the background. The image captures a sense of adventure and historic mountain travel.

Motor car in the Doe River Gorge at Pardue Point on the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad.

Source
Tennessee Department of Conservation

A black-and-white photograph showing a man standing on a rocky cliff edge, looking out over a small town nestled in a valley below. The town is composed of a grid of streets with houses, buildings, and sparse vegetation. Surrounding the town are winding roads, rail tracks, and wooded hills. The elevated vantage point offers a dramatic and expansive view of the landscape, emphasizing the man’s solitary figure against the vast scene.

The Cumberland Gap in Claiborne County in 1945.

Photo courtesy of the Clark Family Photo Collection

Alt text: A collage of three photos showing a large, historic industrial building. The top image shows the exterior of the tall concrete structure situated on the water, with rows of tall windows and weathered architectural details. The bottom-left image displays the interior of a large, empty room with high ceilings, steel beams, moss-covered floors, and large industrial windows letting in natural light. The bottom-right image shows another section of the building repurposed as a storage area, with rows of wooden barrels stacked along the walls under the tall windows and exposed metal ceiling beams.

Built in 1913 on sacred Cherokee land along the TN River sits the Hales Bar Dam. During the illegal Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in 1775, Cherokee War Chief Dragging Canoe cursed the land, calling it “dark and bloody.” Constant leaks and strange mishaps plagued the dam until it was finally shut down.

Black and white historical photograph showing a large hilltop complex of institutional buildings, likely a university or hospital, overlooking a river in the foreground. The buildings have brick facades, pitched roofs, and one has a prominent tower. The landscape includes scattered trees, open grassy areas, and smaller structures near the water. The setting appears rural, with dirt paths and fences dividing the terrain.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1903. Picture taken from opposite bank of Tennessee River.

Source
Detroit Publishing

Black and white photograph of a mid-20th-century urban scene, showing a wide bridge with several vintage cars driving in both directions. A lone pedestrian walks along the sidewalk on the right side of the bridge. To the left, a large warehouse building displays the sign "WHITE STORES WAREHOUSE." Industrial buildings, train tracks, and utility poles are visible throughout the area, with a dense residential or commercial district stretching into the background under a hazy sky.

Knoxville, Tennessee, 1920s...

Broadway Viaduct looking north. Includes Sudderth Coal Co., White Stores Warehouse on left and Standard Glass Co. at right. Railroad tracks to left and right...

Source
Thompson Brothers Photography

Black-and-white photo of a bustling mid-20th-century American downtown street lined with storefronts, vintage cars, and large retro signs. A prominent Coca-Cola billboard with the slogan "Work Refreshed" sits above a corner building. Visible businesses include drugstores, theaters, and various shops, showcasing classic architecture and signage from the era. The street is slightly inclined and busy with signs advertising movies and sales.

Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee. 1960’s

A large group of people, dressed in early 20th-century attire, gather around a lone tree in an open field bordered by rolling hills and a dirt road. The scene appears to be a public event or gathering on a clear day, with men, women, and children dispersed across the gently sloping landscape. The setting is pastoral and expansive, suggesting a rural location.

1914, Knoxville, TN
Farragut High School baseball game, afternoon of Commuaureal(?) Day 1914. J.Nesseler, Photographer, Knoxville

Source
Knox County Public Library

A black-and-white photograph shows a narrow, unpaved mountain road carved into the side of a steep cliff. A vintage car is parked on the road, with a few people standing nearby, including a woman in a dress and a man looking over the edge. Dense forest covers the surrounding mountains, and a river with whitewater rapids flows far below in the rocky gorge. Mist shrouds the distant peaks, creating a dramatic and remote atmosphere.

The parking area at Clingmans Dome in Sevier County in 1939

Alt text: A person wearing a beige ranger-style hat and a green jacket stands with their back to the camera, overlooking a stunning mountain landscape. The scene features Yosemite National Park’s iconic Tunnel View, with El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, and snow-capped peaks in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Since 1916, the National Park Service has tended the US parks, monuments & reserves. However, 1,000 NPS employees were recently fired as part of the DOGE bros' plan to "eliminate government waste" under President Trump's administration. These consequences will be felt for years. 😢

A snow-covered road winds through a winter landscape, bordered by a steep rock face adorned with massive icicles. The ice formations cascade down the rock wall, varying in size and shape. A vehicle with a trailer is seen driving cautiously along the narrow, icy road. Snowbanks line the roadside, and evergreen trees loom above the frozen cliffside. The sky is partially cloudy, with sunlight filtering through, casting a soft glow on the icy formations.

Foothills Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, January 2025
#winter #mountains #icicles

A serene landscape featuring a herd of elk grazing and resting in a misty meadow at dawn, with a dense forest in the background and fog gently rolling over the trees and distant hills.

Eastern elk, GSMNP

A small snowman perched on a tree stump in a snowy landscape, with frosted trees and a hazy mountainous background.

☃️Snowman at the Gatlinburg Bypass, Great Smoky Mountains ☃️

A vintage black-and-white photograph of a bustling city street adorned with holiday decorations. Strings of garlands and large star-shaped ornaments hang above the road, creating a festive atmosphere. Classic cars and trucks from the mid-20th century are seen driving and parked along the street. The storefronts feature signs for businesses, including a billiards center and a café. Pedestrians are visible on the sidewalks, adding to the lively urban scene. The architectural style of the buildings reflects the era, with a mix of Art Deco and traditional facades.

✨The Starlight Stairway, Gay Street, Knoxville, TN- Christmas 1962 ✨

This is a sepia-toned photograph depicting a steep, rocky peak covered with foliage. At the top of the peak, a few individuals are visible, silhouetted against the sky, giving a sense of scale and adventure. The surrounding area is filled with hilly, forested terrain, creating a majestic and serene landscape.

Chimney Tops, 1924

A vibrant holiday display at Dollywood showcases the “Smoky Mountain Christmas” sign illuminated with festive lights. The sign is surrounded by bright red poinsettias, and in the background, charming houses are adorned with colorful Christmas lights, creating a warm and cheerful holiday atmosphere.

A towering Christmas tree covered in bright pink and gold ornaments shines brilliantly against the night sky. At the base of the tree, a large pink butterfly-shaped sign with the word “Dolly” glows softly, adding a whimsical and iconic touch to the festive scene.

Dollywood Winter 2024, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

A black-and-white photograph shows a group of people on a frozen pond or lake. One person is riding a bicycle across the ice while others walk, balancing on the slick surface. Some individuals appear to be cautiously stepping onto or off a raised ice platform in the center of the image, which resembles a fountain or frozen structure. A dog is walking nearby on the ice, following the group. In the background, leafless trees and small commercial buildings, including a store with a visible sign, indicate a winter setting in a town or suburban area. The frozen pond reflects the figures, adding depth to the scene.

Winter 1962, The Fountain City Lake, aka The Duck Pond, East Tennessee

1905 vs 2024, Gay St., Knoxville, Tennessee

William D. Kuhlman opened the first of his chain of drugstores at 301 Gay Street in 1894. The store pictured, Kuhlman's Drug Store No. 2, opened at 600 S. Gay Street in 1905.

A snowy landscape featuring a long suspension bridge extending across a deep valley. The bridge is high above the ground with a pathway for walking and safety railings. In the foreground, a wooden deck with metal supports and decorative arches shaped like snowflakes overlooks the valley. The background includes rolling hills, trees dusted with snow, and a distant view of a small town nestled in the valley below. The sky is overcast, adding to the wintery atmosphere.

Gatlinburg Skybridge, Winter 2024 #gatlinburgtennessee

A nighttime photograph showcasing a festive holiday display in front of “The Inn at Christmas Place.” The scene features large illuminated letters spelling “JOY TO THE WORLD” on a lawn, surrounded by glowing Christmas trees, bushes wrapped in multicolored lights, and decorative snowflakes on poles. The inn’s stone sign is adorned with garland, red bows, and lights, creating a cheerful and bright holiday atmosphere. The building in the background has a European-inspired architectural style with timber framing.

A nighttime photograph of a large European-inspired building, fully adorned with colorful Christmas lights and festive decorations. The building features timber-framed architecture with balconies lit by blue and red garlands. The surrounding landscape is decorated with glowing trees, illuminated bushes, and bright holiday lights reflected in a calm pond. A stone pathway and a small waterfall add to the picturesque, holiday-themed scene. The overall atmosphere is warm, vibrant, and cheerful.

The Inn at Christmas Place, Pigeon Forge, TN #winterwonderland #holiday

A black-and-white photograph of a small wooden log cabin situated in a forested area. The cabin has a simple structure with a pitched roof made of wooden shingles. A man wearing a white shirt and dark pants is standing in the doorway, looking toward the camera. The surrounding landscape features dense trees and grassy terrain, with hills visible in the background.

A black-and-white photograph of a group of students and teachers posing outdoors, in the early 20th century. The group consists of four adults standing in the back row and several children seated in front. The children are dressed in modest clothing, and one girl in the second row holds a small chalkboard that reads “Little Green Briar School, Nov. 1, 1907.” The setting is surrounded by trees, suggesting a rural school environment. The individuals have solemn expressions typical of photographs from this era.

The Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse (1882-1935), Great Smoky Mountains- built with tulip poplar logs #oneroomschoolhouse #history

A snowy mountain scene framed by frosted evergreen branches. The image overlooks a vast landscape of rolling hills and valleys, with sunlight illuminating the snow-covered trees and casting a golden glow. The clear blue sky adds depth and serenity to the winter vista.

Mt. LeConte, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Winter 2024

Black-and-white image of a winter scene in the Smoky Mountains, featuring a hiker standing on a snowy hill, gazing at a massive frozen waterfall with long icicles hanging from a rocky cliff. The surrounding trees are covered in snow, creating a serene and majestic atmosphere.

Rainbow Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Winter 1928

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