Stories of People Who Once Lived in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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  • Опубліковано 17 лип 2024
  • Take a trip with us to Noland Creek in Swain County NC to visit old homeplaces and hear the stories of the people who once called the area home.
    Photos used in video:
    TVA Kodak Negatives Collection, Atlanta National Archives (courtesy of Don Casada)
    WCU's Stearns-Grueninger Collection
    wcudigitalcollection.contentd...
    Open Parks Network
    Jean Casada Brooks collection (digitization in progress), Hunter Library Digital Collections at WCU.
    B&W photo at the Woody home are (L-R):
    IK Stearns, his dogs Kip and Joe Ghost, Queve Woody, Sr, Chrisine
    Thomas Woody (mother of Queve, Sr), Betty Grueninger Stearns (IK's
    wife), Nell Shank Leatherwood, unknown girl, Cora Wilson Woody
    (Queve, Sr's wife), Miss Jessie Shank and Queve Woody, Jr. Miss
    Jessie Shank and Nell Shank Leatherwood were IK's aunts.
    IK is holding a remote in his right hand to take the photo.
    To read Don Casada's writings about old homeplaces follow these links:
    Winfred Cagle’s Wisdom: blindpigandtheacorn.com/winfr...
    Old Growth: blindpigandtheacorn.com/old-g...
    Way Up On Pilkey: Creekblindpigandtheacorn.com/way-u...
    The Fred Lollis Story: blindpigandtheacorn.com/the-f...
    Robert And Elizabeth Beck Collins - Pioneers Of The Pioneer Church Of The Smokies: blindpigandtheacorn.com/rober...
    Of Mountains, Mountain People, and Mountain Waters That Call Their Children Home: blindpigandtheacorn.com/of-mo...
    Pearl Cable A Sweet Young Filly From Way Up On Pilkey Creek: blindpigandtheacorn.com/pearl...
    Chimneys And Wood Stoves That Were Left Behind - And One That Wasn’t: blindpigandtheacorn.com/chimn...
    Leaves of November: blindpigandtheacorn.com/leave...
    Craftmanship And Cultivation Of Beauty - Lingering Legacies Of Early Mountaineers: blindpigandtheacorn.com/craft...
    I’ll Be Home For Christmas: blindpigandtheacorn.com/ill-b...
    Solitude High On The Mountain: blindpigandtheacorn.com/solit...
    Please subscribe to this channel and help me Celebrate Appalachia!
    Drop us a line:
    tipperpressley@gmail.com
    Celebrating Appalachia
    PO Box 83
    Brasstown, NC 28902
    Visit Blind Pig and The Acorn here: blindpigandtheacorn.com
    Find The Pressley Girls music here: / @thepressleygirls
    Find Blind Pig and the Acorn music here: / @blindpigandtheacorn
    Buy my family's music here: www.etsy.com/shop/BlindPigAnd... and here: www.etsy.com/ThePressleyGirls...
    Buy Chitter's jewelry here: www.etsy.com/shop/StameyCreek...
    #Appalachia #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #NolandCreek

КОМЕНТАРІ • 474

  • @lorchid23
    @lorchid23 2 роки тому +86

    Those old mountain homesteads may be gone, their well-worn trails may be buried in Autumn leaves now, but all of the souls who planted those boxwoods and buttercups and wore those trails flat, they aren’t forgotten thanks to modern day people who care enough to keep their memory alive. 🇺🇸❣️
    Thank you for sharing these amazing and historic areas with us, Tipper.

    • @davidvonbrawn4904
      @davidvonbrawn4904 2 роки тому +2

      David Psalms : we blow away like dust before the wind and are place remembers us no more.

    • @mikeandrews1899
      @mikeandrews1899 Рік тому

      @@davidvonbrawn4904 yes ... I find it somewhat disturbing when , today , many people talk about building their legacy 🤔

  • @karencheek7518
    @karencheek7518 2 роки тому +90

    How cool that someone has a record of these lives and cares so much about it.

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +21

      Don has done so much research on the area. I like to think all those folks who are gone would be pleased he's spent so many years documenting their homes. I know their descendants are thankful for him 😀

    • @buzsalmon
      @buzsalmon 2 роки тому +2

      @@CelebratingAppalachia Don really seems like a great guy!

    • @veulmet
      @veulmet 2 роки тому +1

      @@CelebratingAppalachia you might do a video about the TVA the guide mentioned about. Like most of us westerners we are as the old folks would say are woefully ignorant of the subject.

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому

      @@buzsalmon He's the best 😀

    • @susanellis5890
      @susanellis5890 2 роки тому

      @@CelebratingAppalachia ⁰⁰00000000000

  • @mickietaylor8186
    @mickietaylor8186 2 роки тому +53

    My grandma as a child lived in the mountains in Kentucky she would tell us so many stories. I never got tired of listening. I miss her so

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +4

      I love those kind of stories 😀

    • @comfortcreekranch4948
      @comfortcreekranch4948 2 роки тому +3

      I wish we had someone like Tipper sharing Kentucky this way, wouldn't that be wonderful?

    • @BrianGay57
      @BrianGay57 2 роки тому +1

      A LOT of stories were told! It’s a great tradition!

  • @harrymontgomery5268
    @harrymontgomery5268 2 роки тому +29

    My Grandparents lost there place to TVA its still a bone of contention within the family. It brings a tear to my eye still when we get together and one of the cousins brings up a memory of the old place.

    • @mikeandrews1899
      @mikeandrews1899 2 роки тому +7

      I've have enjoyed visiting the GSMNP as a child in the 1970's on into today's time. But only became aware recently of all the families that were uprooted and moved from their homes and the government's sometimes clashing enforcement to meet FDR's proclamation . I still greatly enjoy my visits , admire the beauty and peaceful serenity it offers .... But I now have a tear , a touch of sorrow , for those families that once lived there...... And I say thank you , and give honor and respect for them 👍

  • @timperkins4844
    @timperkins4844 2 роки тому +35

    I love to hear ol stories from days gone by and even more when someone that was familiar with the area and families can tell us the history..

  • @10Bdog10
    @10Bdog10 2 роки тому +31

    Amazing how quickly the earth takes it all back.

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +3

      It really is 😀

    • @dscobellusa
      @dscobellusa 2 роки тому +6

      It shows how ephemeral our time on earth is. What's important is loving and treasuring our people. The stuff is not as important. It was such hard hard work to live back then, but the people are not forgotten.

    • @Kickstart500
      @Kickstart500 2 роки тому +4

      Kinda suggests that the earth doesn’t need us to save it. And that if we would just leave her alone, Mother Nature has it under control.

    • @elizabethbrooks3790
      @elizabethbrooks3790 2 роки тому

      I enjoyed very much hearing of the history.

  • @inannashu689
    @inannashu689 2 роки тому +39

    What's amazing is that people built very self sufficient and independent lives there and then they just took it away from them because they could, to make it a park. I'll never agree that taking peoples homes or land is good for any reason. Great historical video though. Made me sad to think how those people must have felt to be told they had to leave.

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +12

      I just can't imagine how they felt. Thank you for watching 😀

    • @myrthagunter4141
      @myrthagunter4141 2 роки тому +10

      Heartbreaking !

    • @rkow8508
      @rkow8508 2 роки тому +7

      I agree with you I find it sad .

    • @rhondajo3
      @rhondajo3 2 роки тому +3

      So, the Federal Government confiscated all of these homes?

    • @richardschnacker9160
      @richardschnacker9160 2 роки тому +8

      So sad that government has the power to do such bad things to good people

  • @KatInTheNorth
    @KatInTheNorth 2 роки тому +36

    How sad that the homes are gone, as well as the people that lived or visited there. Those woods were once full of life ♥️

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +7

      Thank you for watching Kat! It is so bittersweet 😀

    • @KatInTheNorth
      @KatInTheNorth 2 роки тому +3

      @@CelebratingAppalachia yes it is! I wonder where any of the families
      Are now. Interesting.

    • @myrthagunter4141
      @myrthagunter4141 2 роки тому +5

      Many of the people stayed here in Swain County , and others moved to different counties in N.C.. Some went out to Washington
      state , California , Newport News Virginia , Detroit. They had to find work . The logging industries were closing down . There is no old growth forest here ,no matter what the Sierra Club says . Look up North Shore Cemetery Association if you want to know more history about this area . Thank you .

    • @saner6888
      @saner6888 2 роки тому +4

      This is so interesting ... were the properties taken by “eminent domain” to become part of the park? There was quite a community up there. Thanks for this Tipper!

    • @camscott1986
      @camscott1986 2 роки тому +3

      While there's some controversy over the National Park Service coming in and especially the Tennessee Valley Authority, many homesteads were lost and almost forgotten but hundreds of little cabins and homesteads have been saved and preserved if you will by local, state and federal agencies. Which allows outsiders to come and explore and get a little glimpse in there life and culture. Such an amazing lifestyle and character those folks had.

  • @KamboCan629
    @KamboCan629 2 роки тому +15

    Preserving history is one of the issues that generations to come seem to lack a sense of importance. But for us who have lived a while, History is the heart and soul of traditions. This is especially true in Appalachia.

  • @robinhaupt9119
    @robinhaupt9119 2 роки тому +23

    What a beautiful place. Thank you for taking us along Tipper. The ingenuity and hard work of those that came before us is always astounding.

  • @ThePatriotNurse
    @ThePatriotNurse 2 роки тому +59

    On the Tennessee side, we've got a section in the park where people had their homes too. I love our mountains and there's nowhere else in the world like home. #DaughterOfAppalachia

    • @gentianvandewerken929
      @gentianvandewerken929 2 роки тому +1

      Ive seen the houses when I was a teen, probably on the Tennessee side!

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +10

      Don has primarily focused on the NC side because that's where he's from, but he has a ton of information about the TN side too 😀 Maybe we can do a tour of that area someday. The man is a walking encyclopedia about the Smoky Mountains.

    • @ThePatriotNurse
      @ThePatriotNurse 2 роки тому +4

      @@CelebratingAppalachia we should!!!

    • @Turner.1
      @Turner.1 2 роки тому +1

      Cades cove was one of those spots

  • @johnfry9010
    @johnfry9010 2 роки тому +21

    I try and tell my Grand Child my History and hope some of it sticks , because once we are gone no one seems to give a hoot about what and who came before them . This is a very cool video and a beautiful area of our great Country .

  • @kimberlyking9947
    @kimberlyking9947 2 роки тому +22

    It's so interesting to see old home places from the past. I love history. I have spent many many hours pouring over old photos in dusty old library archives researching my hometowns history and learning so much about where my ancestors lived. Thanks for sharing. In my town, we have what our local historical society calls "Dining with the Departed", where folks research different characters from our town past and learn their life story. On the night of the catered dinner, each person will be dressed as that past character and will appear to tell their life story. It is so much fun, and such a fun and interesting way to learn the history of the people and places from our past. Our museum members sell tickets for the big night and they always sell out fast.

  • @carolynblethen9766
    @carolynblethen9766 2 роки тому +18

    I was born and raised in GA but my parents were from Graham county NC. I had ancestors that lived in and are buried in Cades Cove. I am familiar with much you talked about and have visited many of them including Hazel Creek. My relatives are still in the Robinsville NC area. I absolutely love the mountains.

  • @leonardgordon1748
    @leonardgordon1748 2 роки тому +5

    It’s so awesome that you captured this history on video. In another generation no one will remember what was there.

  • @ladyliberty417
    @ladyliberty417 2 роки тому +27

    Thanks Tipper ! He’s right about the park keeping this area from becoming just gated communities and allowing some history to be explored- so interesting !
    💕

  • @BrianGay57
    @BrianGay57 2 роки тому +15

    I loved camping in the Smokies as a child! I once worked as an archaeologist, and one of the ways I used to find old homesites was to look for ornamental plants and vegetation that is out of place.
    Seeing nature retake the land is amazing as well. I’m glad that it’s protected even though the displacements that often happened were very sad.
    One of my ancestors homes is under a lake created by a TVA made dam near Hazard, KY. The whole town was relocated up the hill.

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому

      Enjoyed your comments. Interesting, and so cool.

    • @marshja56
      @marshja56 10 місяців тому +1

      In Pennsylvania I sometimes come across Daffodils blooming way out in the woods and know that an old house must have been there.

  • @fpd5874
    @fpd5874 2 роки тому +8

    Such fond memories of living and working in the Smokys! I used to spend many days on horseback in Deep Creek, Indian Creek, Hazel, Noland and Forney Creek drainages, that’s what we call them in California. We used to boat relatives across Fontana Lake to one of the cemeteries and spend the day reminiscing with them while they honored their passed relatives. They were very gracious and wonderful people to talk to. They had some fascinating childhood stories.

  • @mamasitaredhairredalesmoot6930
    @mamasitaredhairredalesmoot6930 2 роки тому +24

    Not only a lot of work, but engineering skills as well. And not everyone can do wood work. Nice work Tipper.
    ;*). Bonnie

  • @camscott1986
    @camscott1986 2 роки тому +3

    My family is from Western North Carolina and I grew up in those mountains. I was so fortunate enough to land a job at Great Smoky Mountains National Park after I graduated college. It is home to me. Home is where your heart is. I even met my wife in the Appalachian Mountain specifically Pisgah Nat Forest. There is soo soo soo much natural and cultural history in these mountains. Such an amazing place. It has and always will be my favorite place. I cherish my family heritage and my time living and growing in those mountains.

  • @markmotsko2400
    @markmotsko2400 2 роки тому +5

    Fascinating history, thanks for keeping the past alive. I was a park ranger stationed at Deep, Hazel and Twentymile Creeks in the 80’s. I was fortunate to have attended some of the cemetery decorations and more importantly, talk with the residents who once lived in these areas before the Little Tennessee River was dammed up. The National Park Service received ownership of the land where folks were displaced from and as such often was the target of understandably hard feelings. The river was impounded by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 40’s for the purpose of creating electricity for the war effort. Aluminum was needed for airplanes and to help power the nuclear research in Oak Ridge. It’s unfortunate that these mountain folks got caught in this National defense effort.
    On a positive note, it is good to know that this land will never be developed or restricted from public use. This bit of history and the tales the land hold will be preserved as long as history allows.

  • @cheryls.2601
    @cheryls.2601 2 роки тому +5

    It's good when someone can share these stories, gives people a glimpse of the past. Nature all around is beautiful. 👍💕

  • @myrthagunter4141
    @myrthagunter4141 2 роки тому +7

    I remember sweeping the front yard . Grass grows there now . When I was
    child I thought it was a odd thing to do. Keeping the dust down . 💘 Nolands Creek .Thank you Tipper .

    • @yvonnemcmahan9037
      @yvonnemcmahan9037 2 роки тому +1

      My grandma swept her dirt yard. She had a rock wall with rock flowers on it, a mamosa tree and a hummingbird bush.

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому +1

      Martha Gunter.
      My Granny made straw brooms to sweep her yard of dirt. When older, I never could figure out what kept grass from growing there. She had tiger lilies, mimosa, elephant ears, a China berry tree and scubbernong vines growing in the yard around her little shanty with hinged windows and Katy(?) barred doors.. Oh how precious the memories.

    • @myrthagunter4141
      @myrthagunter4141 Рік тому

      @@waltersalley7781 Yes --they are !

  • @tonimactavish9937
    @tonimactavish9937 2 роки тому +10

    How very fascinating. I could listen to theses stories all day. The homes were so beautiful, I can imagine their lives in such a beautiful area.

  • @soundbwoikilla764
    @soundbwoikilla764 2 роки тому +17

    The Shenandoah National Park was also created by displacing the mountain residents. Often when I'm fishing or hiking in the Park I come across remnants of the old homesteads, mostly stone walls or partial stone foundations. And while I'm grateful for the national resource, I can't help but pause to think about those who made these hollers home but were forced off their land.

    • @Pamela.B
      @Pamela.B 2 роки тому +1

      There is nothing new under the sun.

    • @GregW-lm2rq
      @GregW-lm2rq Рік тому +1

      My great grandfather operated a sawmill in the Shenandoah Valley and logged tons of trees in the Hightop Mountain area. He had my grandfather drive a logging truck at age 13, only to be pulled over by the police, and after they gave their warning and drove off, he had my grandfather driving the big rig once again. 😲

  • @paularhodarmer3267
    @paularhodarmer3267 2 роки тому +8

    What a fascinating video, Tipper! I loved it. Thanks to Don Casada for all the work and information he provided. My family, too, has connections to these places. My grandchildren are direct descendants of the Cables from Cades Cove and Hazel Creek. We also have kin folk from Cataloochee. Branches of our family are all around here. I find such great pleasure in thinking about and seeing remnants of those days.

  • @valentined.2510
    @valentined.2510 2 роки тому +19

    Noland Creek is beautiful! How neat that you and Don had family members who lived there! It's hard to imagine houses once stood in those woods. I love old pictures and enjoyed the before and after. How they floated logs was fascinating. Thank you, Tipper, for sharing!

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +3

      Thank you for watching! It is hard to imagine the folks who lived up and down the creek in those days 😀

    • @Sun-gi2fe
      @Sun-gi2fe 2 місяці тому

      My father Don whitted grew up in these mountains. His grandmas name was pearl Valentine( maiden).

  • @sis.kristy1295
    @sis.kristy1295 2 роки тому +8

    So wonderful to roam those homesteads with y’all. Thank you!!!

  • @whiterabbit-wo7hw
    @whiterabbit-wo7hw 2 роки тому +13

    This was so nice and at the same time sad.
    They've gone now and so have their homes. The Appalachian area is such a beautiful area.
    Home IS where the heart is.
    I also wanted to tell you, Tipper, that I really appreciate your cooking videos.
    The time you take to help and teach us about the different kinds of foods there are in Appalachia and then all the clean up you have, just for us is muchly appreciated.
    Thank you from the bottom of this old man's heart.

  • @shazskay
    @shazskay 8 місяців тому +1

    I’m happy that Katie joined you, too, ‘cause I just love that girl. She is going to be a wonderful, really cool mom. Take good care of yourself, both of you.

  • @shelcatvintagec6159
    @shelcatvintagec6159 2 роки тому +3

    Being from Appalachia myself it’s refreshing to have the truth being told. TVA , CC camp , and several other government agencies destroyed the lives of the mountain folk in the smokies and in previous years the Cherokee Indians . All of which I am an ancestor. If any of y’all know the Dunn’s or Ritchie’s share your stories. Greasy Creek TN and NC.

  • @mamasitaredhairredalesmoot6930
    @mamasitaredhairredalesmoot6930 2 роки тому +6

    The scenery is so picturesque.

  • @comfortcreekranch4948
    @comfortcreekranch4948 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you for taking us along!

  • @maryeliason1504
    @maryeliason1504 2 роки тому +5

    Thank you so much for sharing Tipper & I love that noisy creek. Wonderful sound. I can just smell those woods. 💕🍁🍁🍁🌲🌲🌲🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️

  • @tonytherf-mb3dg
    @tonytherf-mb3dg Рік тому +1

    Thank God for Mr Don to share and provide photos from the beautiful smoky mountains

  • @cathyrichmond6178
    @cathyrichmond6178 2 роки тому +9

    I enjoyed seeing the old home places and seeing photos of the actual houses. It reminded me of my Louisiana grandparents home. They never had indoor bathroom and only running water in the kitchen sink in the early 60's. Thanks for sharing.

    • @Pamela.B
      @Pamela.B 2 роки тому +1

      I remember when my aunt finally had an indoor bathroom put in her house on the Main Street in New Buffalo, PA in the 1960’s.

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому +1

      Enjoyed this so much. I live in GA., but my family shared the same experience. When I was 7, or 8, we had a bathroom installed in our home. This was c. 1962 or 63. My family was poor too. 🙂

  • @mikemanjo2458
    @mikemanjo2458 2 роки тому +12

    Wow! It is amazing how quickly things can change so radically in such a relatively brief period of time! Such a beautiful home and now gone (Patterson Place). This is so fascinating to me to see the homes and people that were there. Thanks for sharing the walk with us! Jane in SC❤️🙏

  • @buzsalmon
    @buzsalmon 2 роки тому +11

    What a grand video full of so much great history of the area. We stayed as visitors to Fontana in 1959. It was a great adventure for me! Thanks for this!

  • @lindahays8444
    @lindahays8444 2 роки тому +3

    So awesome to hear about the people who had homes there. Like stepping back in time. It truly is some pretty country.

  • @sheilam4964
    @sheilam4964 2 роки тому +5

    It is so important to preserve local history by recording it in as many ways possible; be it in writing, video or just old fashioned passed on stories. Wonderful video. Keep up the good work. 👍👍👍👍

  • @lynlandham3779
    @lynlandham3779 2 роки тому +5

    It's sad the old home places are gone. And the woods took over so completely and quickly you can hardly tell they were ever there. My grandmother's log dogtrot is falling in on itself and being overgrown because one person in the family objects to recovering or moving it. It will go the way of so many of the old places up in the mountains. Sad. At least I have my memories of it.

  • @maryeliason1504
    @maryeliason1504 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you to everyone who cares about the past & shares with us. 💕

  • @billroyals7223
    @billroyals7223 2 роки тому +5

    I really did enjoy learning more about the Smokies and the people that lived there back in the day. I know the people from that time lived a much harder but simpler life, but oh what a life it must have been.. A big thank you to everyone involved in the making of this video and thank you for posting it for us to see....

  • @donnadoes5738
    @donnadoes5738 2 роки тому +3

    I can read about the past and its so interesting, but seeing the places makes me sad for the folks who are gone.

  • @357bullfrog9
    @357bullfrog9 2 роки тому +3

    These sort of things need to be kept alive. We're loosing so much so fast of our mountain culture. We need to reach the young ones and teach them the old ways and of the old people who got us where we are today

  • @donnielaws7020
    @donnielaws7020 2 роки тому +3

    Great video and love your content. Good video.

  • @PatriceMarieDobson
    @PatriceMarieDobson 2 роки тому +1

    What a delight to see all those pictures and compare it with the ACTUAL land. Amazing

  • @Quarton
    @Quarton 2 роки тому +8

    This is happening all across the country - the countryside is emptying out of people. I grew up on a family farm in west-central Illinois, and I remember my mom commenting on how the homes that once had large farm families were sitting empty. No one lived there anymore. Today you can't even tell that there once was a house sitting there! We used to have neighbors living a quarter-mile apart, or so.
    The towns have gone from growing communities, with grocery stores, gas stations, blacksmith, theatre, and high school - now have nothing. We used to have lots of farm families, often with 5 to 11 kids. (I have 5 kids, now grown, and married, starting their own families.) The farms have gone from 100-500 acres, to thousands of acres being farmed by one family (Corporations). Our country is suffering, in many ways - from smaller families with 1 or 2 kids, to large suburbs.
    Thanks for sharing this video. It's interesting, and future generations will look back on this with appreciation!

    • @mikeandrews1899
      @mikeandrews1899 2 роки тому +2

      They say it is "progress" ...... But as I've gotten older , and just a bit wise'r , I'm not sure that is true

  • @timmccarver4121
    @timmccarver4121 2 роки тому +5

    Many of the old home places are just vague memories, unfortunately. Thanks for the video, Ma'am!

    • @CelebratingAppalachia
      @CelebratingAppalachia  2 роки тому +2

      So true. Don's research on the old homeplaces is so amazing. He's spent literal years tracking down information 😀

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому

      Tim McCarver.
      Well said.

  • @lynettepavelich7540
    @lynettepavelich7540 2 роки тому +5

    Honestly enjoyed this trip. Such beautiful land and loved seeing the homes that were once there and seeing the families. Thank you from Michigan!

  • @stephaniegamble3571
    @stephaniegamble3571 Рік тому +2

    One of the greatest videos I have seen from any creator. This is BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you for sharing.

  • @sharonholt3118
    @sharonholt3118 2 роки тому +1

    So much history in these beautiful mountains! Thx for sharing your video. I could watch these all day long!

  • @danielleosentoski520
    @danielleosentoski520 6 днів тому

    When I was young my daddy took me to see my grandpas home in the hills.. they lived in Swain county Bryson city. It was so beautiful we took lots of pictures.. but there’s no way I’d ever be able to find that place again… I wish I had someone who could take me and my family to see that place again. It’s on the little tennessse river so pretty

  • @Melissa-pt2ik
    @Melissa-pt2ik 2 роки тому +1

    This is really amazing to hear about people who lived up in the Smokey Mountains and had a community of people that looked after each other I love seeing and hearing stories like these

  • @1995jug
    @1995jug 2 роки тому +5

    Tipper i really enjoyed that video, its a shame the old places are gone, it just shows people back then did not mind working.

  • @jackiemartin5441
    @jackiemartin5441 2 роки тому +1

    What a great afternoon. Thanks you!

  • @dianad4633
    @dianad4633 Рік тому

    My grandfather grew up in Cataloochee Valley. They have a big reunion every summer for all of the families from there. We went this year for the first time. It’s beautiful up there.

  • @markmc9692
    @markmc9692 Рік тому

    Love listening to these old stories and seeing the old photos thanks for sharing

  • @candyredman4381
    @candyredman4381 2 роки тому

    Oh wow...this is fantastic to hear about people's lives and see the pictures then the actual site. This is a huge treat...thank you so much !!

  • @SherriB33377
    @SherriB33377 2 роки тому +1

    Tipper thanks so much for sharing this beautiful and educational video of the older Appalachian mountains so loved it, I truly love watching your videos!! I have loved the mountains since I was a small child! I am 57 now and my Dad, Mom, Aunt, Uncle and Me as the earliest I can remember and looking at photos I was like 4 when we started coming to the Appalachian Mountains!!! I have now lost both of my parents 😔 and miss them both so very much!! I wish that Dad loving the mountains so much he would have bought a couple of acres of land back then in the late 60’s it would have been so much cheaper but Dad was a farmer and we lived in south Ga. I guess he never realized that I would want to live up there in those beautiful mountains cause if He had known that he would have did whatever he needed to and bought me some land to have later in life. I was an only child and was adopted so I was very spoiled! Lol anyway sorry to have told you all of that but I think I could sit down and listen to you all day talk about the mountains! If you ever hear of anyone Tipper that would like to sale just an am acre of land please let me know! Idk what paper to run an add in up there. Please keep up your videos it is such a blessing to be able to watch clean no cursing such informative videos! I am a Christian and I also love your daughters utube channel as well. They are both so very talented and I know that you are so very proud of them. May God continue to Bless you and your family!!!!🍁🍁🙏🍁🍁

  • @gailsammy452
    @gailsammy452 2 роки тому

    Great memorys I thank u so much for u sharing this I enjoy the best of it I keep watching it over over again😀👍

  • @marktaylor8659
    @marktaylor8659 2 роки тому +1

    What a great blessing to have Don, who knows all about all those old home places and can explain the who, the what and when of those who lived there. Thanks for sharing.

  • @sandybarth1
    @sandybarth1 5 місяців тому

    Somehow I havent seen this video. Just found it today. What a wonderful telling of the history of the area. Thank you for sharing.

  • @johannarobinson2565
    @johannarobinson2565 Рік тому

    Your commitment to keeping legacies alive is like honey to my soul. Thank you Tipper. Your God given unique spirit is like medicine to my family which leaves me longing to visit the area one day and face my fear of mountain roads. The beauty of Fall is wonderful here in Wisconsin, so I know it's must be breathtaking there. The good Lord's very best to you and your wonderful family.

  • @RudiiAnn
    @RudiiAnn Місяць тому

    It's amazing , I would listen to my grandmother talk about her mountain stories. She would sit on the couch and stare outside big picture window like she was looking at everything she was telling me. I could sit for hours. She has been gone now a long time😢 but I don't remember if I seen the pictures or she was such a good story teller I visualized it. But I see it clearly. I can see where she lived and down the mountain a little her Mommy lived.wow I haven't thought about those stories in so long ❤ ty

  • @christinesmith4706
    @christinesmith4706 2 роки тому +4

    What a beautiful place to visit. I enjoyed hearing about the history.

  • @Carlaskirt
    @Carlaskirt 2 роки тому

    Thank you so much for sharing this incredible history! ❤️😊

  • @pvjohnson52
    @pvjohnson52 2 роки тому +1

    I really enjoyed this venture. Thanks so much for sharing

  • @maggieg60
    @maggieg60 2 роки тому +1

    I so enjoy your videos, Tipper. I love our mountains and their rich history. I was born and raised in the foothills in the northwestern corner of SC, where I live still. I have lived in other places from Michigan to Florida when I was a young mother, but this place is in my blood and a huge part of who I am. I can drive from my home in Oconee County, Seneca, SC and be climbing up the mountains in about 10-15 minutes or I can go East and be in Charleston at the beach in 3 1/2 hours. But, my heart is in the mountains. I feel so blessed to have been able to live most of my life here, and I love your videos. Y'all talk like I do. 😊 We've had a huge influx of "Yankees" in recent years, and some of them think of us natives as being ignorant "hicks" and I have to say that does ruffle my feathers a bit. 🤣

    • @boromirofmiddleearth557
      @boromirofmiddleearth557 2 роки тому

      part of that influx of Yankees is because of good jobs, warmer weather, sunshine, low taxes and freedom. Look at Greenville Spartanburg. BMW , Michelin etc. I think COVID19 and remote work increased that migration. I knew an old college friend move there from upstate New York. ! 👍🤗

  • @margaretleehightower3073
    @margaretleehightower3073 Рік тому

    Wow what an amazing experience to hear a person who knows that land and the history of the families!!!! ❤️😊

  • @beththomas2222
    @beththomas2222 2 роки тому

    Wonderful again. Thank you.

  • @TheopolisQSmith
    @TheopolisQSmith 2 роки тому +1

    A different world. All that work done by hand and then just gone. Glad you are keeping the memories alive.

  • @DeeDee-dl7sl
    @DeeDee-dl7sl 2 роки тому +2

    It is so beautiful there! Thanks so much for sharing your tour with us!

  • @robertgann900
    @robertgann900 2 роки тому +1

    Amazing tour! Loved it. A must see!

  • @joybartlett9784
    @joybartlett9784 2 роки тому +5

    This is so interesting. I hope someone has archived all of this history.

  • @gfalk3972
    @gfalk3972 Рік тому

    I enjoy the old history. And feel the same connections in the old lumber towns of Northern Wisconsin. Great Channel!

  • @billytheearthworm573
    @billytheearthworm573 2 роки тому

    Thank you for sharing their stories, and history!

  • @keeptrying5962
    @keeptrying5962 2 роки тому +1

    That was a lot of fun, very interesting! Thank you for taking us along.

  • @jonathanpritchett1002
    @jonathanpritchett1002 2 роки тому +1

    The chimneys always make me wish I could just be sitting around the hearth listening to the family on a cold winter’s eve! As a child I really enjoyed helping strip the purple hull peas we picked by the bushel into metal pans. They would ring!

  • @d.g.n9392
    @d.g.n9392 2 роки тому +6

    This was such an interesting tour and Don’s narration and knowledge of the history, the families was fascinating.
    I’ll try to reference some of the links for Don’s work.
    It is good to have these national treasures preserved for future generations to see.

  • @christinej2358
    @christinej2358 2 роки тому

    Beautiful scenery, great history of the families and interesting information of the homes. Thank y’all for sharing!

  • @lindasmith6654
    @lindasmith6654 2 роки тому +2

    This is so awesome to be able to walk around to all those places with someone that knew the ones that lived there...and had pictures. I have walked around the Cades Cove cemetery and looked at the gravesites. So neat to hear these stories.

  • @larrysmith6499
    @larrysmith6499 2 роки тому +1

    Amazing video. Thanks for sharing.

  • @brightpurpleviking
    @brightpurpleviking 2 роки тому

    Wow, how quickly the woods takes back over those homesites. Thanks for sharing!

  • @sonyafox3271
    @sonyafox3271 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks Tipper, for sharing a piece of the Smoky Mountain National Park’s history. This park itself holds many great memories for me, from the time, I grew- up, my family used to camp in that park during summer vacation and, when, we no longer camped there we would go to a near by grocery store and grab some fried chicken and, all the fixins for a meal and, have a picnic,we would always try to find a picnic table where there, was creek bed not too far away. I love it, there even when, your near a lot of people you can still figure out how to shut the outside world out around you, it’s so, peaceful.

  • @deedrafulkerson2919
    @deedrafulkerson2919 2 роки тому

    Beautiful! Wouldn’t it be grand to live by that creek and hear it rushing by! Very Interesting! Thanks for Sharing!

  • @judybicknell8610
    @judybicknell8610 2 роки тому +1

    Your video is a well done treasure, such beautiful country. Thank you so much for sharing the people and places❤️

  • @angelahite75
    @angelahite75 2 роки тому +1

    This pulls on my heart. It reminds me of my family history in Oklahoma. My mother grew up in the depression in Sardis ok. They flooded the area, and made it a lake. The stories of my grandfather and grandmother are amazing. Grandpa had to go to the city for work eventually to send back money to survive. He finally moved the family to the city with him. So many had already left to California around that time. She said life was never the same. Her brother took his life shortly after. We too have books bound with old pictures of the Mccoys and Lockharts. Thanks for sharing.

    • @Pamela.B
      @Pamela.B 2 роки тому +1

      The army corps of engineers flooded many towns/cemeteries when they created Lake Raystown, PA. I found it eerie to SWIM in that lake.

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому +1

      Angela Hite..
      Heartbreaking. 😪

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому +2

      @@Pamela.B
      Really sad. 😒

  • @deborahsavoie2159
    @deborahsavoie2159 2 роки тому +1

    I like to hear old stories from the past. the home I live in! was a grocery store many years ago. my great aunt and uncle bought this place,and they lived in for many years. I like old homes and buildings. they could tell us many stories.

  • @kimberlymason7080
    @kimberlymason7080 2 роки тому

    that would be a dream living next to that running stream! I would sleep so well at night hearing that sound! love it!

  • @edwardmiller6353
    @edwardmiller6353 2 роки тому

    Great history from a beautiful area! Thank you for sharing it!

  • @FromTheHeart2
    @FromTheHeart2 2 роки тому

    Another great video!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

  • @fayesheets5509
    @fayesheets5509 2 роки тому

    Such a cool video,I always loved getting out in the woods,so many old home places that you would never know were there except for a fallen chimney,house foundation or maybe flowers growing,loved this,thank you so much!!

  • @daniellemorris7774
    @daniellemorris7774 2 роки тому

    So beautiful I truly enjoyed the history
    And the photos of people who lived there. All the memories of good folk I wish there stories could be told

  • @susanschuck8124
    @susanschuck8124 2 роки тому +1

    Wonderful history! Thank you

  • @leilaniaki344
    @leilaniaki344 2 роки тому

    I love hearing the stories. Thank you.

  • @dscobellusa
    @dscobellusa 2 роки тому

    This is fascinating! Loved the video and stories! Thanks bunches!

  • @Mrs.TJTaylor
    @Mrs.TJTaylor 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for this wonderful surprise, a day trip and a history tour. Just gorgeous and so interesting.

  • @zinnialady5153
    @zinnialady5153 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for sharing Nolan’s Creek

  • @pattio3435
    @pattio3435 2 роки тому

    What a wonderful video, a small look into life as it was back before the park. To have those photos and knowledge of the families is truly a treasure And I sincerely thank you for sharing it with me and the other viewers. Such mixed emotions watching it from being in awe of nature’s beauty, to the profound sadness for those who were made to leave…..thank you! ❤️

    • @waltersalley7781
      @waltersalley7781 Рік тому +1

      Pattio.
      So true. And so sad too. Enjoyed the comments.