The History Behind the First Ogle Cabin in Gatlinburg
We’re sure you all know that the first family to settle in Gatlinburg (White Oak Flats at the time) was the Ogles, and the first settler in the area was Martha Ogle, William Ogle’s wife, and her children. But, how much do you know about the historic Ogle cabin? We’ve gathered all the information on the unique history behind the first cabin in Gatlinburg:
About the Ogle Cabin in Gatlinburg
The Ogle Cabin is the first cabin ever built in what was White Oak Flats at the time, but is now Gatlinburg. Back in 1802, a man named William Ogle, who was a farmer from South Carolina, traveled to White Oak Flats and decided he wanted to move with his family there. He selected a site, cut logs to make a new home, and then returned to South Carolina. Unfortunately, William Ogle got sick and died in 1803 before he could bring his family back to White Oak Flats.
Four years after his death, his wife Martha and their children decided to make their way back to White Oak Flats, where they found the logs that William Ogle had prepared. Together, they finished the cabin, and Martha Ogle officially became the first settler in Gatlinburg.
Where is the Ogle Cabin in Gatlinburg?
Visitors can still make the trip to Gatlinburg to see the Ogle Cabin, but it’s not in its original location! Instead, the cabin can now be found in downtown Gatlinburg next to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center. It’s at Traffic Light #3 and just a short walk from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. The move was prompted by the development of Anakeesta. If you love history, you definitely want to spend some time exploring the historic Ogle Cabin.
More Historic Structures in the Smoky Mountains
There are more than 90 historic structures preserved or rehabilitated in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Some of the best places in the park to see them are Cades Cove and Roaring Fork. To help you learn more, we’ve made a list of some of the top historic structures in the Smoky Mountains:
Elkmont Ghost Town
Did you know that there was a ghost town in the Smokies? Elkmont went from being a sleepy mountain community, to a bustling logging town, to a ghost town. The Little River Lumber company built a railroad that unintentionally turned the town into a popular vacation destination. With the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, many residents got lifetime leases for their summer cottages, but a majority of those leases expired in 1992. When that happened, it became a ghost town. Today, visitors can walk through Elkmont Ghost Town and explore the cabins that are still standing today.
The Little Greenbrier School
The Little Greenbrier School served as both a church and a school for the residents of Little Greenbrier. From 1883 until 1936, the school was a place for the community to grow both academically and spiritually. Today, visitors can explore the historic building, and school groups can visit to learn more about the Smokies while sitting in the old desks!
Cades Cove Churches
It’s no secret that Cades Cove is home to many beautiful historic buildings, and 3 of the most popular to visit are the Cades Cove churches. The Primitive Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, and the Missionary Baptist Church are all still standing in Cades Cove today. When you visit, you can walk inside and explore! You can even look up and see handprints in sap on the wood-planked ceiling where the carpenter set the boards by hand. All of the churches can be seen along the Cades Cove Loop!
Interested in learning more about some of the best historical places in the Smoky Mountains? We’ve made a list of the top historic spots in the Smokies where you travel back in time!
