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Once
hunting grounds for the Cherokee Indians and other native American
tribes, the establishment of Sevier County, the State of Franklin,
and the signing with the Cherokee of the Treaty at Dumplin Creek
opened the valley, known as Pigeon Forge, for settlement in the
late 1700's. |
Settlers followed
old Indian trails through the Smoky Mountains along the Pigeon River to
what is today, known as Pigeon Forge. Pioneer Isaac Love established an
iron forge in 1820 and his son, William, built a tub mill by damming the
Pigeon River. The iron forge mill, now known as the Old Mill and a
National Historic Site, remains in working order today.
Although mainly a
farming community, the formation of the national park in the 1930's
brought tourists to the area. In 1841 the first post office was formed
under the name Pigeon Forge. Settlers continued trickling in and the town
remained as a small, rural farming town until shortly after 1940 when the
Smoky Mountain National Park was dedicated. Tourists stayed in private
homes due to the lack of commercial hotels, stores and restaurants, but by
the mid 1940's, the first land parcel was sold and the town began to build
it's first church and 2 general stores.
Incorporated in
1961, Pigeon Forge realized it's potential as a tourist town and the
city's Department of Tourism began promoting the town seriously in the
1980's. In 1986, Dolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood, was opened,
creating a major boost in tourism numbers.
Pigeon Forge has no
shortage of family fun! Offering attractions
and entertainment for every age, the possibilities are endless. Voted
one of the South's favorite shopping spots and the People's Choice by
Southern Living readers, Pigeon Forge is famous for its more than 200
factory outlets and specialty stores. Music
theaters line the parkway serving up live shows and exciting
entertainment with old time rock and roll, traditional country music,
gospel, bluegrass, comedy, animals and more!
Pigeon Forge accommodations
include
standard rooms, luxury suites, modern campgrounds
and charming, rustic to
modern cabins, or business meeting facilities and convention
centers. Whether you're on a Smoky Mountain vacation, honeymoon or on
business, finding the perfect Pigeon Forge
hotel or motel is not an
inconvenience. Many of the Pigeon Forge accommodations are within walking distance to
attractions, theaters, outlet malls, golf courses and fine dining establishments. Don't feel
like walking? Take the Pigeon Forge Fun
Time Trolley anywhere you need to
go for an affordable fifty cents.
Located in the
foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is within a day's
drive of two-thirds of the nation's population east of the Mississippi
River. The resort town, along with it's surrounding cities and the Great
Smoky mountains National Park, receives more than 10 million visitors a
year.
Belle Island
Village, scheduled for completion in late 2008 and one of the newest developments in
Pigeon Forge, will be home to 75 specialty
shops, a carousel and Ferris wheel, upscale hotel suites, arcades,
entertainment and more than 12 restaurants. Otter Adventure, a joint
effort between Belle Island Village and the Knoxville Zoo, will allow
guests to watch playful otters in a natural setting and will offer special
presentations and exhibits throughout the year. Key attractions of Belle
Island village are the Darrell Waltrip Racing Experience and the Debbie
Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum
Need more to do
and see? Coming soon and currently under development is the new Pigeon
Falls Village offering a 12 screen theater, up-scale hotels and
condominium rentals, a 70 foot waterfall, numerous shops, restaurants and a water park, all within a
pedestrian designed village
setting. For additional information about the Pigeon Falls Village, visit
our Smoky
Mountain News
page.
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