History is all around us. Fortunately, there are
lots of opportunities in our Smoky Mountain Area for you to learn more about
this place we call Home. There is one township just outside of Gatlinburg that
offers a chance to relax and be educated about the mountain culture.
Originally called Emert’s Cove after the first
settler in the area, life in PittmanCenter was slow, due to poor roads and the topography making travel
difficult. When a Methodist missionary preacher got to the area in 1919, he
discovered the area’s need for better education and health care. He presented
his vision of a center to help the locals to the Methodist Church. It was
approved and after the buildings were complete, he named it after a Rev.
Pittman from New York, who was a friend and helped raised money for the
buildings. Measuring roughly six miles, Pittman Center has about 500 residents.
So what do you do here? Well, there is the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park next door, including the Greenbrier River with
fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking and swimming options. Bent Creek Golf
Village is right down the road. There’s a wealth of businesses renting cabins
and chalets, plus the Buckhorn Inn, a bed and breakfast that has been there
since 1938. In September, there is the Pittman Center Heritage Day and in
December, they have Yuletide in Pittman Center. There’s Emert’s Cove covered
bridge and numerous artists in the area, capturing the beauty of the mountains.
Pittman Center has a combination of history, culture and natural beauty that is
hard to find anywhere else. The residents work hard to keep their mountain
heritage alive and would love to show you their unique piece of the Smokys.
