Tennessee Wonderland: Exploring an Abandoned Mountain Neighborhood and Hotel
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2013
- This is an urban exploration video that explores one of the most fascinating abandoned places I’ve ever looked at which is the Wonderland Club and Hotel and a secluded area of Elkmont inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg and Sevierville, Tennessee. Abandoned places can sometimes just be an empty building or two, but the Wonderland Club and Hotel and the vacation homes nearby offer up a rich history for the people who enjoyed so many good times in the area.
When I first started doing urban exploration and exploring abandoned places like the Wonderland Club and Hotel in the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I had no idea that my video would one day receive millions of views. It even made it to the top and center placement on the front page of Yahoo News, where it received an absolutely incredible amount of views in a short period of time.
As I mentioned, this urban exploration video of this treasured abandoned place is part of Elkmont. However, the Wonderland Club and Hotel area is not something that most people see when they visit the area. Most of the time, the vast majority of the people who visit Elkmont drive right past the old Wonderland Club and Hotel area and end up near the campground, where there is a partially restored row of old homes that people can look at. However, that’s not what you see in my video.
One thing that makes this slice of urban exploration interesting out of all the abandoned places I’ve ever visited is that the Wonderland Club and Hotel area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has stone steps leading up to the entrance, and those steps are covered with overgrown plants and trees. Once you get to the top, there’s a stone circle for the fountain and then the site of the old and main building for the hotel. The hotel annex is what you can see in my video, not the main hotel itself, as it had been torn down years earlier.
Years ago, when my urban exploration video of this abandoned place was featured on blogs, those blogs lied and said that I claimed to have been the first to discover the Wonderland Club and Hotel area, which led to a lot of misleading coverage from local news outlets in that area of Tennessee. However, as you can see at the end of my video, I noted the history of the grounds and paid proper tribute to all of it. My usage of the word “discovered” at the beginning of the video was another way of saying I stumbled upon it. The fact that later in the video I detailed the history of the grounds all the way through the 1990s, plus the fact that I said there were park rangers across the street… that should be enough for people to see that I didn’t deceive anyone. However, as we all know now, people believe headlines and move on. It’s too bad, because I think they might enjoy my video.
I hope that you can enjoy my look at this out of all of the abandoned places or urban exploration videos I’ve done, as the Wonderland Club and Hotel area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds a special place in my heart.
Links:
- www.9news.com/article/travel/...
- www.mic.com/articles/100568/a...
- www.mtv.com/news/lu1k06/elkmo...
- fox8.com/news/photos-man-expl...
- www.travelpulse.com/news/ente...
- abc7.com/tennessee-abandoned-...
- www.wtvr.com/2014/10/06/man-e... - Фільми й анімація
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Thanks for watching. Also, I want to help clear something up about this film. This film shows a part of Elkmont that most tourists don't see when they look around at a different row of empty homes at the campground. The Wonderland area of Elkmont is somewhat hidden and is located up on a hill behind trees across from the river. Most people leave Elkmont thinking that they saw the row of homes that are shown in this film, and that's part of what makes this such a special part of Elkmont. It's very likely that far less than 1% of Elkmont's visitors even stop to see this specific area before they reach the campground.
My grandparents met at this hotel 1957 while my grandma was working during her school summer break. My grandpa was with his air force pals, and they just happened to pass through and stay one night. My grandma was his waitress at the restaurant there. She likes him but was too nervous to give him her mailing address to write her. Just as my grandfather was leaving, my grandma's friend ran down the hotel steps to give him her address. And the rest is history.
Awe, I like that outcome.
That's so cool!
This video had an emotional effect on me. Like you just knew from those old photos of the people spending time there that so much had taken place. And then to hear a story like this just confirms that even more. Even though it’s mostly gone, you’re still living history of the special things that happened there.
What a fabulous friend ❤️👏👏⭕️❌
Thanks for sharing!
Hey everyone. Thanks for all of the support. I am not sure why some websites are saying that this land has gone untouched "for 100 years", or that I found something that was lost and hidden away for a long time. That's certainly not true. Some Elkmont homes had people living in them even just a few years ago. All I did was bring a camera to document the land. It's such a beautiful area. I lived in Tennessee for 26 years and only very recently moved away. I love the state and love coming home. I hope all of you enjoy the video!
Awesome video. pix11 posted this video on their website and fb page saying you discovered it and how it was untouched. No one believe it was untouched for that long because the way it looked. But thanks for sharing that info.
I found this video via link on HuffPost that was trending on Facebook. The headline read "Hiker discovers abandoned town inside Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park" and the article implied that no one knew it was there for the last 100yrs. I guess lying was the only way they thought they could drive traffic to the story. It was very interesting though. I've always been fascinated by places that are just left to rot as opposed to being torn down.
I just read an articule that said that the hotel closed its doors nov 15,1993.. that is deff not 100 years ago. it is a very beautiful area though.
as Usual Huffington Post is full full of crap haha. But thanks for clearing it up and thanks for this video, its amazing!
Yes... There were many modern things visible... Aside from plastic bleach bottles... Hung ceilings are relatively new as well... But it's always cool to explore. Look for old bottles and such. They're fun to collect!!
My dad and uncle, worked here during the summer while in highschool. They stayed in the cabin to the right, behind where the hotel was. My parents spent their honeymoon there, and their 25th anniversary, was spent in the same room. They celebrated their 50th anniversary, 4 years ago, Their marriage lasted, the hotel did not. Also, my great grandfather was a cook at the lumber camp that was responsible for the hotel getting started. Many, many memories here for my family. Thanks
Many memories. Indeed ;) thank you for the comment..my imagination went with every word;) After watching the wonderful video, such a joy to read. ❤️
As I wandered through the forest grove,
I came upon a treasure trove:
Old homes once free of branch and vine,
now gone to seed, and lost to time.
I thought of those who'd once lived there.
What did they do? What were their cares?
How much in thought were we alike?
Thoughts that haunted me upon my hike.
My spirit moved by those who dwell
within times deep forgetful well.
-Zid
Very nice. Thanks for sharing that.
Thank you, too.
Emma Anderson Thank you :)
Also-thanks for reminding me of this. It seems I never added this to my gallery of poems. I rather like this one.
Beautiful words
Beautifully written!
I grew up in Elkmont. The "before" and "after" stills made me cry. The Wonderland had the most wonderful blackberry cobbler. In the before shot of the dining room, I distinctly remember the glass case. In it there was this strange and unheard of chewing gum called "Teaberry." Well, it was strange and unheard of to me. lol. I tried it once and eeeewww!
Hi Claire. I'm glad that I was able to document this place for people like you who once got to visit the Wonderland Hotel/Club. Feel free to pass the link along to friends and relatives who also knew Elkmont well.
Why is it abandoned now? Why does no one live here anymore?
I remember teaberry gum.
teaberry gum is still available...
Bobby Middleton Yeah, but it's just not the same without rock-hopping from the cabin to get it. :'(
Man I remember 1990 like it was yesterday.The passing of time is so extraordinary it really boggles my mind.. You captured that feel very well in this video! Thanks. With modern technology we can compare and contrast spaces, places, and landmarks in different times, something we could not really do in centuries past which I think can give humanity a new perspective on time. This is fun and interesting but makes me feel wistful because I can realize how quick life is. I was a 14 year old adolescent in 1990 (when those pictures were taken) now I'm 38. In the same amount of time I'll be 63 year old senior citizen. Time is so confusing it can seem prolonged and at the same time so quick and fleeting.
I was raised in the mountains of Virginia,our house was back in the woods away from everyone.I had a good childhood there.This reminds me of home
Amazing video, it was quite sad to see it in ruins despite only a century going by. Imagine all the people that had walked through the buildings, the guests the staff the visitors etc! I especially enjoyed the before and after pictures towards the end, that outdoor staircase showed no resemblance to its former appearance! Please keep exploring these forgotten places for those (like me) who can't! Thank you! :)
Sad to see how things rot away when abandoned. Thank you for sharing a piece of the past.
Wow! Thank you so much for taking us on this journey! You captured so much history in this short video. It's so nice for people like me that can't get out and capture this magic. You did an outstanding job at phasing old into what is left. Thank you!
Thanks Laura. I encourage you to watch my other video "Tennessee Mountain View", as it covers a very similar topic. Also there's the lengthier "The Abandoned Resort in Cayman Brac" video that I did. All three are similar in that they begin with exploration, then go into the history of it all with comparison photos. Enjoy!
I probably would have dug a trench with my fingers as they dragged me by my feet off the mountain! I LOVE those mountains!!!!!!! I also LOVE how everyone totally ignores the "PARTY POOPER" remarks and treats them like their not even there!!! Thank you Jordan for taking us back in time!!
Great video. Glad you went the extra mile and included a bit of the history as well. Music was excellent too!
Any time I see things such as this, it brings a tear to my eye. The beauty and tranquility is enough to bring inner peace. It is a shame that they let things this wonderful just go to ruin. If the park service owns this property, then why did they not refurbish and reopen this beautiful place to the public? I was not around when all of this took place, but seeing it as it is now, really does bring a tear to my eye. Thanks for posting this video, as it gives me a glimpse into the past of East Tennessee.
Thanks Steven. I think you'll enjoy my other video "Tennessee Mountain View" as well. Let me know what you think!
I watched the video about the abandoned chair lift/fun mountain. I moved here to Sevierville, TN a little over a year ago. It is nice (and saddening) to learn about the history of this area. I have subscribed to your channel. May I ask where you are from?
Steven Arceneaux Originally Memphis. Then New York. Now San Diego.
Cool. I am originally from Bourg, Louisiana. I lived in Magnolia, Mississippi for 25 years before moving here last year.
I really do appreciate the time you take to explore those "treasured" places. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Also, the music brings the emotions to light. Thanks again for the great work.
Omg... We owned one of those apartments! How sad. I remember having to move everything out when they made us leave.
Wow! Do you have any additional photographs of the place you could share or perhaps give permission for Jordan to use in an update? Or even any cool stories of the place would be great!
sunnder0
I'm sure I have tons of pictures. I also have a video of the last time we were there in 1992!
Anissa Blackburn
Wow! That's amazing, I am so baffled at how this place just fell off the face of the earth...very cool and different!
Whooooooooooooooooooopty Doooooooooooooooooooo, get over it, it's gone now.
Do a still vid of your pics. Would be cool to see.
I had the privilege of seeing this area when it was bustling. It was full of families enjoying the beauty of nature, fresh mountain air, ice cold fresh spring water. It is amazing to see the difference. I'm sure nobody ever dreamed it would ever end. Very sad.
It looks like major flooding and that's some water level, wow.
Thank you for this video.
What is really eerie is how a few of those houses were really modern, maybe within the past 40 years i would say, just abandoned, and the modern electrical "network" on the roadway is really cool. So intriguing!!!!
My wife and I stayed at the Wonderland shortly before the Park concession was revoked. It's amazing to me how quickly the hotel and the private homes have rotted away.
It's good to see it all going away. No room for that kind of crap inside the Park.
Wow, I really enjoyed this tour through Wonderland. Really fascinating. I especially enjoyed the end where you were showing both the old pictures with the new. Thanks!
I felt like crying, seeing those photos of the people and the way it used to be. It was as if I had been there and knew how it felt in each room and roaming the grounds, and now had lost something. Thanks, Jordan. The before and after pictures really moved me.
Think of all the good times had by families, couples who visited. Probably a lot of babies were conceived. Makes us think how fragile and temporary our lives are. Thanks for posting this.
+Russ Bowers Channel Thanks. One of the surprising things to me is that 3 years later I look back at the simple song that I chose for the end of the video. Even though it's from some kind of relaxation or massage music album buy an independent musician, there is something about the song that is so right about the subject in the video. Often after it's been a few years, I will look back at some of my videos and some of the songs I won't be as satisfied as I was when I selected them a few years ago. But this one is special.
The way the images from the past and present were superimposed was powerful. I have was thinking about these haunting images all day. It made me imagine seeing my flimsy wood frame home where I now live with my wife and daughter 100 years from now, overgrown, dilapidated and abandoned, or replaced with a new structure and landscape. Or the house I grew up as a happy boy in a loving family. It had a profound effect. I guess it was not the intention of the video,but it shows that we have to cherish every moment.
What an amazing location. Too beautiful for mere words. I love the before and after shots! Thanx for posting.
Carlton Fuqua Thanks for the extra information. I would love to have visited the hotel and Elkmont on a nice summer day several decades back!
Me, too.
OMG.That is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. The birds, river and all the scenery are just gorgeous.
My parents loved the Smokies and we spent so many great vacations exploring the area, thanks for the memories, a tear is running down my cheek as I remember those times!
This looks like an awesome location. Very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great link TikiTrex, I have just watched this video as well as the Tennessee Mountain view hotel & Abandoned Resort in Cayman Brac and they are all very interesting, and really well put together...thoroughly recommend a look!!!...Thank you.
Abandoned UK Thanks so much. I'll check out your channel too. I wish I could have interviews and professional voice overs too and make this a fully thought out documentary. Maybe in the future!
***** Thanks for replying, my last explore ended up as 5 shorts and a two minute before and after effort on account of i could only source about half a dozen before pics and little history over 118 yrs sadly, but my best effort to date i think. I look forward to your future productions. Safe Exploring!!
Abandoned UK You too. Be careful!
Abandoned UK Thanks for posting, think I saw Electric on one of the buildings so far.
Don't really know why but this video was really soothing and just simply intresting to watch, great job my good sir!
The Rivers up there help me to sleep when we go there every yr. I love that area, its simply beautiful.
Neat memories from watching the video again. Actually the Wonderland is one of the inspirations for my cooking, culinary, and cookbook writing career as well as my love for history. When I was a kid we ate at the hotel many times. Amazing breakfast - I think that might be my dad's car in the parking lot pictures. That lot was behind the hotel and provided parking for the guests, staff and restaurant.
They also served up some amazing barbecue in the area! My first book was Smoke in The Mountains - the art of Appalachian Barbecue. Largely inspired by cooking there and the area.
We stayed there many times during visits to the park. It was one of my mom's favorite places. She loved the history of the area. A quick trip to the Great Smokey Mountains information and welcome center will provide all of the information about Elkmont, the Wonderland, and more.
The park did not extend the decade old leases and things closed up in the late 90's. We went and stayed one last time as a family before the closing.
The last managers of the old Wonderland opened a newer version just down the road. My brother and his wife were married there. That facility has since changed hands and become a private business of some type. Also, access to the area is clearly marked, has plenty of parking, the road runs right by the site, one of the most popular destinations in the park for visitors.
Things are certainly different now following some forest fires, but there are still plenty of neat things to see around the park. Check out Cades Cove!
I so enjoyed this video, even though it makes me sad. I wish I could have stayed there. Thank you for sharing.
Strange but calming feeling looking at past pictures and then present pictures. One ponders just who spent time in places like these during their lives and just what happened to everyone. Did they live a good full life, were they the victims of unfortunate incidents, will this place that brought enjoyment to so many people simply just die out and eventually be forgotten? Pondering such things should bring one to the conclusion that we are here a short time and our lives that are so important to us will just all fade away, eventually.
Molon Labe It's depressing to me and makes me want to go to a lively place and not waste precious time in a dead zone.
Molon Labe I wonder who lived near where I grew up 40+ years ago and what kind of life they lived and how their lives ended but now with most of the older generations gone you cannot find that out anymore. Seeing something like this makes me think one should live life to the fullest at every given moment. I lament that I did not do this.
+Davin Dx Me too. Life is really not very long--wish I'd wasted less of mine!
Thank you for your hard work. As a child on vacation with my parents I remember seeing Wonderland while it was still standing. What a historic loss.
Some of the nicest people that I ever met in my seventy years, live in Giles County Tennessee. Lots of friendly, giving people.
I agree with others, the before and after pictures at the end was a really nice touch. I did a screen grab of them to compare later. Thanks for sharing Jordan.
Awesome video and great narration. The pictures at the end of the before and after really give me a sense of how beautiful it was and a sadness of what had become of it. Such a shame that a paradise like that was abandoned and left to ruin. Looks to me that some of those buildings either met with a fire or were torn down, as nature wouldn't have done that perfect of a job in that length of time. Can also tell that vandals had a hand in a lot of the destruction. Thank you so much for sharing. Look forward to more of your explorations.
OMG Jordan I love this, thank you so much, exploring is one of my favorite pass times! what a thrill ....
That's so amazing! I stayed at the Lodge many times when i was a child- it was such a beautiful place! Thankyou for shooting this...the abandoned places give us the most history.....
What a great job you've done on your videos. I love to explore old towns and places like that. My favorite find was a town called Old Sabinoso,, New Mexico, located about five miles from the new one and not on any maps. I spotted it one time while flying across New Mexico and made a notation on the map. I went back about a year later and found that you could not drive closer than about four miles and then you had to wade across the Mora River to get to it. It was abandoned in 1925 when most people died of "The Fever" which swept the area. The residents must have fled in terror, leaving dishes on tables and pots on stoves. The history of places like that is more interesting than what's left.
Hi Jim. That sounds really interesting. If only I could travel the world and explore these places...
Jim Foreman Jim and Jordan: The advent of drone technologies will become more invaluable for exploration like this! Check local laws first, then launch away! Being ever mindful of the trees, of course ...
good stuff. before and after pics really make it eery and ghostly.
I love videos of abandoned places. This however has to be one of my favorites. All the history and research you did, the comments filled with people who remember the place. The editing at the end. Great job, keep doing these.
Man I love living in East Tennessee. It truly is a beautiful part of this country. I recommend a visit to anyone who hasn't had the chance to experience it.
hope to be there some time in august 2014 while road tripping
That’s nice I am planning to go there soon for fall break I wish I live in the east side of Tennessee but I live in west side
Touching... thanks for that.
Only one life
Only one past
Only what's been done for Christ
Will last.
+J Moore Aloha Friend, What an eloquent poem!!! Thank you for sharing. I'm putting it in my journal. Take care, stay safe and aloha 'oe. God bless, - AuntyKeli ;-)
Extraordinary video, I especially like the before and after pictures from 18:14 to the end.
That's when my goose bumps popped up
I always loved going out on the weekends with my grandpa in W.V. & finding those old farms & properties that hadn't been touched by humans for years & sometimes found awesome little treasures, I still have 1 of the cast iron skillets we found & cleaned up. Some of the best times.
I'm from NY and a huge local history buff. when I stayed here July of 2015 I was looking for places to explore that weren't touristy. Ended up somehow in elkmont hiking. I found the houses coming down Jakes creek trail then the historical section. I ran outta time and never found the hotel. This year (this week) I'm back and yesterday I finally found the hotel and all the buildings that are left. its such a shame it burned down. you're video has answered so many questions in relation to the building layout. Couldn't express how happy I was when I finally found wonderland. its been a year in the making. (damn park rangers don't help either)
-Jeff
I'm glad you found it! Too bad about the park rangers.
Jordan, beautifully done. I would have loved to ride the train to the Wonderland hotel and relax by the mountain stream.
Thanks for making this. There are quite a few more cabins still standing other than these. You ought to video them as well. The Spence cabin is spectacular.
We've got it marked on our map for when SHTF places.... We've camped out there a few times, and the place really comes alive at night...Very peaceful!!
So beautiful. It's like my dream to be able to see this in real life. Imagine living in a place like that, that rush of energy from the stream was so pleasant and moving. It was lovely. I am so happy I've found your videos, as places that have been forgotten are my favourite places.
An amazing video for an amazing place. I can see why so many views and very well deserved. Thoroughly enjoyed! Thanks so much!
Thanks! Your series of abandoned home explorations is exactly what I'd love to do, but I moved from the south a few years ago. I'm going to branch out and explore soon, though I'll have to watch out for rattlers here near the desert!
Gotcha. Oh yes I've ran into a few of those myself. Very scary! Good luck on the future explorations!
wow excellent job on this one. Enjoyed it
Just lovely nostalgia the time goes by then all things pass. Thank You, for sharing.
A wonderful video. Lovely area. It's very cool to see the changes in an area after only a few decades. The music at the end was haunting while looking at the comparison photos of then and now. The souls that have come and gone....
Wow! Those before and after shots blow me away.. Amazing what over twenty four years will do to a place not kept up by people :o
Thanks! If you like before and after photos, I definitely recommend one of my other exploration videos called "The Abandoned Resort in Cayman Brac". There's a trailer you can watch too. Both are available on UA-cam. Start the full length video at 33:30 to see the before and after photos, though I recommend watching the whole thing to properly set it all up. And also check out my project "140 Years of Change in New York" which compares exact locations and angles from 140 years ago to today. I hope you enjoy them!
*****
I'll check them out, thanks for sharing this expedition.
Good job, love to see old places.
Thanks for making a film of these abandoned places, keeping in touch with the history of where people once lived.
Once grand, now only the echo of the past remains. Thanks, I enjoyed watching it.
I've finished my latest short film, and you can watch it in full below. Tennessee Wonderland explores an abandoned hotel and neighborhood hidden away in the Great Smoky Mountains: Tennessee Wonderland: Exploring an Abandoned Mountain Neighborhood and Hotel. And feel free to check out other stories with my new website design while you're at it: www.jordanliles.com.
where @ in TN Smky Mtns? I live in Knox, and hike Mt. Leconte all the time
Elkmont. Type this into the Google Maps search box: 35.662098,-83.5861642.
thanks!
Thank you for your work on this. Even though it was heartbreaking for me to watch. Stayed at the hotel for the last time in 1989 when I was 16. Still have pictures of feeding the raccoons on the front porch.
Stumbled upon your video and had no idea it had closed so I am truly shocked and saddened. Your pictures at the end brought back many memories. Keep up the good work.
spoonman73
Sound of crying baby "WhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Hello everyone. You can support my future films by shopping on Amazon with this link: amzn.to/2tXeffU. Please update your Amazon bookmark with it. Prices are no different. The difference is that Amazon knows I referred you, so they give me a tiny cut of whatever you spend at no extra cost to you!
Thanks for watching. Also I want to help clear something up about this film. This film shows a part of Elkmont that most tourists don't see when they look around at a different row of empty homes at the campground. The Wonderland area of Elkmont is somewhat hidden and is located up on a hill behind trees across from the river. Most people leave Elkmont thinking that they saw the row of homes that are shown in this film, and that's part of what makes this such a special part of Elkmont. It's very likely that far less than 1% of Elkmont's visitors even stop to see this specific area before they reach the campground.
Has amazon cut you off? I got cut off and banned because people that ive talked too used the link. They have since banned the whole state of Louisiana.
Amazon, Facebook and others have cut the south off; while doing so, they have inadvertently destroyed their own legacy.
The link doesn’t work for me...south east. :[
I would to at least saw inside the big red one with the river rock. It looked in good shape but you didn’t even go see. You just looked under the house. You just walked around. Sure it was nice to know about but a 22 minute video to know it. If you’re going to do a video like this at least go in and show us something 👎
Who owns this property?
I stayed there a couple of times in the 80's, so this brought back some memories. Thanks for shooting this..
My grandparents owned two of the "apartments" connected to the Wonderland hotel. I remember sitting on the rocking chairs on the porch with everyone rocking and telling tales, playing ping pong inside the hotel, sitting by the fireplace mesmerized by the real crackling fireas we waited to eat, exploring outside , and many other fond memories. Thanks for taking me back to a time I will always cherish with my family spent at the Wonderland.
That's my old neighborhood. We had to leave when we went to feudin' with the local Bigfoots. They was eatin' our young.
I have released my fourth exploration film, this one exploring the grounds and history of an abandoned music bowl in San Diego: ua-cam.com/video/5y_MH64joV0/v-deo.html.
It's improved technically from Tennessee Wonderland, with video clocking in at 60 frames per second and a much more stabile presentation without shaky camera shots. Enjoy!
what type of camera do you use?
+Morgan Evans Good question Morgan. I used a Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR camera with a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens. The equipment is relatively inexpensive compared to other camera gear. I also used a Rode shotgun microphone instead of the mic that's in the camera. It was around $100 and is recommended because the microphone on the camera doesn't have a windscreen and it can pick up camera noises. I hope this helps!
+Jordan Liles This kinda reminds me of the Overlook Hotel (the one in the book).
Jordan, do you perhaps know any history of this abandoned town ? Mayhap it's name and why it was abandoned ? Maybe the State Government pulled imminent domain on the folk's and they were forced to move as it became State land? Just a thought and curious in Utah. Thank you for the upload. Peace
+Mark Birchette the towns name is elkmont and it was abandoned from the late 1930s to the early 2000s because the government made the area around elkmont into a national park
Very awesome video. I love old abandoned places..especially when you know the history and can see photos of when it was in use. Thanks for sharing this!
Great video. Absolutely one of my favorite videos on the Wonderland Club. Great Job!!!
Oh...and we didn't abandon Elkmont by any stretch. We were kicked out by the Park.
Did those bastards give you all ANYthing, for consolation? I very seriously doubt it :( I’m very sorry they ripped you all from your beautiful homes
What Jordan didn't say:
A group of Knoxville businessmen purchased the Wonderland in 1919 and established the "Wonderland Club." Over the next two decades, the Appalachian Club and Wonderland Club evolved into elite vacation areas where East Tennessee's wealthy could gather and socialize.
Upon the creation of the national park in the 1930s, most of Elkmont's cottage owners were given lifetime leases. These were converted to 20-year leases in 1952, and renewed in 1972. The National Park Service refused to renew the leases in 1992, and under the park's general management plan, the hotel and cottages were to be removed. In 1994, however, the Wonderland Hotel and several dozen of the Elkmont cottages were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Elkmont Historic District, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sparking a 15-year debate over the fate of the historic structures. In 2009, the National Park Service announced plans to restore the Appalachian Clubhouse and 18 cottages and outbuildings in the Appalachian Club area (which were older and more historically significant) and remove all other structures, including the Wonderland Annex (the main hotel had collapsed in 2005)
Yep, it's sad what happened. Have a look at the 19:15 mark in the video to see when I explain what happened to the land. Thanks.
This was beautifully done. You paid homage to the buildings and land. You were very respectful, too. I loved your video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Jordan, for a journey into the past so very lovely!
Want to follow my filmmaking? 'Like' my page on Facebook: facebook.com/JordanLilesFilms. Thanks everyone!
Cool video, despite HuffPo's exaggerated claim.
Thanks Bill.
Wonderful job done. It is always interesting to me to see photos of the past and now. There is so much to explore in this wonderful world of ours. Thank you for sharing..........
Wow just simply wow!!! Beautiful, creepy and yet very sad! Thanks for sharing!!!!
i wish i could know the story behind all these, theres so many abandoned places its so interesting to me that it was once full of life, where did those people go? why did it get abandoned? always so many questions lol.
When it was made into a national park the Government forced the people to leave
+cannibistalks
Wikipedia...
The Wonderland Hotel was a hotel built in 1911 at Elkmont, Sevier County, Tennessee by the Wonderland Club Company and was dismantled and partially preserved in 2006 by the National Park Service.
The Little River Railroad, which owned a number of tracts of land in the area in 1909 built a logging railroad from the town of Walland, Tennessee to the company town of Elkmont. Connecting to a branch line of the Southern Railway, the Little River Railroad Company discovered and began to promote the Elkmont region as a good hunting and fishing area and began transporting men who wanted to visit the area for this purpose. Elkmont was a station on the Little River Railroad Company which provided access to Knoxville via a two-hour train ride until the mid-1920s.
As the area was "logged out", Little River Railroad Company President Col. W.B. Townsend was aware of the future benefits of attracting large numbers of tourists to the area. With this in mind, in 1911 he gave Charles B. Carter 50 acres of cut over land with the stipulation that he build on the land within one year. Carter formed the Wonderland Club Company and on June 11, 1912 the Wonderland Hotel opened its doors. It would stay open for seven years.
+neosomato hypergenesis It was the community members who lobbied the national park idea.
The u.s. govt forcing ppl off their own land? That doesn’t sound like something they would EVER do. :/ (obvious sarcasm, for those who can not detect it)
that would have been a heck of a bug out location
Wow, That is cool. I am going to have to check that out since I live not too far away! Knoxville Tennessee is the place! I was living in Europe and I literally could have chosen any place to live. After extensive searching I chose Knoxville Tennessee. You just can't beat it. Great weather, good economy, light traffic, great mild weather, the mountains, and FANTASTIC people. Also, inexpensive and affordable housing! My wife and 4 year old daughter Scarlett love Knoxville!
Thank you for taking the time to show us a part of history God bless you and your future travels
I was lead here by the title "Man Discovers 100 year old abandoned town... blah blah blah"... And now im here watching a guy just taking video of a place people probably see everyday, and has clearly been lived in within the past 50 years. I want 18 minutes and 13 seconds back.
Hey, yeah sorry some media news sites are making up things to make it sound more interesting. That's the way of sensationalist journalism I suppose...
***** Hey, I still watched til the end... I love ghost towns, I am a bit of an explorer at Heart. Your video was great, its the Media I blame :) So tell me the truth, did you dig deeper when the camera was off? I would have been ALL over that Hotel. I just love being in places that were once so full of life and can still tell a story, even 100 years later.
mjhart75 Cool. There's another video on UA-cam with some people that went in all the buildings, if you want to check it out. I think I link to it on my website in the article when I originally posted about this last year.
This is called Elkmont TN.
Your photographs of the old buildings illustrate evoke what "the good old days" were really about. You are a story teller of extraordinary talent & skill. I just stumbled on this video today but without a doubt this the absolute best & most enjoyable I have ever seen anywhere. Be proud.
Wow what a find.Very beautiful back in the woods
This video does not represent the truth about this place. It is referred to as abandoned...and it was abandoned by it's original owners, but MANY people go there. He makes it sound as if it is a remote, lost community "..hidden inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park." But this is one of the most popular tourist sites in the GSMNP. There is a popular campground there. The annex that is still there (or was when he made the video) is about 100 yards from the road that goes in to the campground and several houses that remain...a road that is traveled by dozens, sometime hundreds, of visitors every day.
Hey Rex. When I use the word "abandoned" I meant that people had to leave their lives behind due to the leases that ran out. Have a look at the 19:15 mark of the video to see when I explained what happened. I love the area. It's very peaceful! Also, as you mentioned Elkmont itself is very popular, but in the many times I've parked my car and walked around the Wonderland Hotel site specifically, I have never run into anyone up there. I know that a lot of people drive past the slightly restored Elkmont homes near the campground since the road runs right between the row of homes, but I get the feeling that the Wonderland area specifically is only visited by a few people every month. I hope you were able to somewhat enjoy the video!
Please tell me y it was abandoned it was gorgeous
Yes I really wana know too
Hey ya go:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderland_Hotel
Because Liberals and Democrats found out about it.
*****
How ridiculously stupid can you really be?
Erikk Lewis
Tell that to the folks who live in Chicago and Detroit.
We wandered through this area during a visit to the Smokies in 2009, and found it fascinating. It was great to see the photos from when the area was still inhabited cut in with your more recent footage. Thank you.
17:53 and on is incredibly touching. The music adds to the mystique. Thanks for posting.
This video scared the bejeebers out of me
I don't know why but that word made me laugh
+tim hilton Isn't Justin bejeebers some young punk singer now or something?
+tim hilton LOL! Aloha Tim, I haven't heard that word in a LOOONG time... Eee gads, I do think I'm admitting I'm old! (oh wait... that makes BOTH of us... NAH!) hahaa! ;-D
Aunty Keli Oh come on...we are not old...we are just old fashioned. You look great for your age.
tim hilton Awww... why thank you... yes, the sun setting behind me does make me look like one awesome mountain. LOL. I added you back to my circle. E komo mai (Welcome) to my lolo (crazy) Ohana (family) you old-fashioned gent you. ;-D
A bit disappointed that he didn't explore deeper inside the buildings. Especially the basement since there was actual ground he can walk on.
Yeah, I guess nevermind the dilapidated house above him with its thousands of pounds of rotten timber, ready to collapse in on him at any moment...
sunnder0
Not necessarily. It's built to be sturdy and strong and to support thousands of pounds of weight., it's not built for the purpose of collapse. Unless the main support beams are fractured or broken, the odds of a collapse is slim. I'd be worried about individual boards breaking, such as on the stairs or on a second floor, which is why you shouldn't rush and should test each step with only partial weight at first. If the support beams are good, it's not coming down. And unless he were to intentionally hit the roof or the walls, he wouldn't have to worry about those either.
*****
You think that you can do better? Please make a video for us to see.
Even a concrete ground level floor can be dangerous. IE: we were exploring an old hospital which we knew "for certain" had a ground floor of concrete with no basement. Solid floor = no way to fall right? Heh. Water had eroded a tunnel under the floor (which we couldnt see) and we had a 2 foot patch give way. My friends leg went through (up to his knee) and the edge of the hole cause 21 stitches on his shin.
McKinleyNine This could and does happen everywhere regardless of the condition of a building. Just bad luck.
This is the best archive of the Wonderland Hotel before it's collapse. Thank you Jordan for making the journey. I wish someone would build a replica of this hotel somewhere in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. It would be wildly received.
Excellent, worthwhile and valuable video of a piece of American history that many of us would not have known of if not for your efforts. Really well done and appreciated. Thank you.
These look like modern houses to me.
Yes, sorry that some websites are making things up about how long it's been since the town was inhabited. I hope you can enjoy the video for what it is though! Have a nice weekend.
***** In spite of the media's incorrect hype, this was a great video and an interesting tour. I'm glad I stayed until the end, because the contrasting shots from the club just 20 years and present day were awesome. Glad I found this little gem :)
***** Definitely a good video and you certainly haven't misconstrued anything in your documentation. Very interesting!
The mountains, most of the houses were frame houses, like those today, NOT log, or do you think the founding fathers lived in log homes!
I live in East Tennessee
Jillian Perkins me too
Excellent video-thank you. The before and after pics were heartbreaking-such life and past lives and memories! Wonderful documentation-perhaps if some record exists, the place, and times, aren't completely forgotten.
Very beautiful footage and haunting images to look back and as it is today. Very enjoyable to view.
Slender man is out there.
What?
Ok.
I like that you focus on the sign and let us all read it...but did you? Lol..says right on the bottom "All buildings in this area are closed to the public. Do not ENTER or tamper with any structure. These regulations will be strictly enforced. Violators subject to 6 months in jail and a $5000 fine" Then film it all and put it on youtube where everyone can watch it, along with your name and a picture of your face, lol. Good thinking buddy! Love the exploring bit, and I get it, I probably would have done the same, but dang bro, lol
I love to explore. I've been exploring all my life. When I was a kid, I had three brothers and two sisters and I was the fourth child. We lived in Hollister, California way out in the country. And there was a creek that ran through our property. Summertime after chores we would fix a lunch and something to drink and then we saddled up the horse's and off we were exploring for the day. We had so much fun..
Loved the still photos and the ending...Awesome!
I think Al Gore should give up his mansion and move in here.
Very interesting. I love history. There are so many stories here. Thanks for sharing. I've been to the Smokey Mountains 4 times over the years and missed all of this.
I've lived here all my life and never heard of this place thank you!