History of the Smokies

On September 2, 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt stood at Newfound Gap, with one foot on each side of the North Carolina-Tennessee State line, and dedicated, “for the enjoyment of the people,” the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Smokies are rich with a unique history that spans for decades.  We invite you to take a closer look at some of the historical treasures of the Smoky Mountains.

See also Explorations of the Smokies for a first-person account of unique places in and around the Smoky Mountains.