Townsend, Tennessee is known as “the peaceful side of the Smokies,” and for good reason. As visitors drive toward this tranquil town on Highway 321, they are slowly enveloped by towering trees and embraced by the rising hills. A stay here isn’t complete without a blissful ride on the Little River or along the bicycle trails. Townsend is a world unto itself.
The people who live here know how special their town is, which is why, 33 years ago, a group of residents formed a non-profit to preserve Townsend’s heritage: The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company. Sandy Headrick, the board treasurer, explains, “The Lumber Company really started Townsend.”
Visitors to the museum learn how this area was brought into the industrial age by the efforts of a man named General Townsend. At the turn of the 20th century, Townsend was invited to open a lumber company here by the operators of a tannery in Walland. The two businesses benefitted from each other’s presence, but soon Townsend exhausted the supply of easily-obtained lumber. It became necessary to construct a railroad into the mountains to acquire more, and thus the Little River Railroad came to be.
Townsend was a well-loved entrepreneur. He provided area residents with their first steady paycheck. The Little River Lumber Company offered employee housing, ensured education and church for its families, and formed sports teams for recreation. Townsend even initiated a workers’ comp program, which was extremely novel at the time. When it came time to establish the national park, he was the first to sell his land for the cause.
This heritage and more is on exhibit in the museum, which is housed in the building that was once the Walland Depot–the original depot for the Little River Railroad. Most tourists visiting the museum come for the history, but the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company also has a following of train enthusiasts.
Dave Ezell, grandson of a former LRR postmaster and museum volunteer, highlights that one of the museum’s major attractions is its Shay engine locomotive. This train model is notable for its ability to pull heavy loads up the mountain and because there are so few left.
Interestingly, the Little River Railroad was arguably the beginning of tourism in Townsend, and now the museum continues the tradition. In the 1900s, affluent families from Knoxville would ride a train into Walland, then transfer to the Little River Railroad to make their way to the national park. The museum displays photographs of men and women wearing suits, white dresses, and hats for the holiday, despite the fact that they would get covered in soot.
Fortunately, no one has to dress up to visit the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company museum. Admission is always free; the museum operates solely on donations and souvenir sales. Hours are seasonal and can be found on the non-profit’s website.
Category: Townsend
Visit These 3 Picnics Spots in the Smoky Mountains This Spring
There is nothing better than taking your family out for a picnic in the Great Smoky Mountains on a warm spring or summer day. The scenery is never short of breathtaking, and there are so many places you can go to. Heck, some folks here pack their basket, grab a blanket, and then pull over when they find a spot they like. While this might sound like a good idea, there are advantages to visiting one of the many designated picnic spots. These typically include having picnic tables and no traffic passing right beside you. Some of the picnic areas in the park have grills and restrooms. Others are more primitive and offer only tables and trash receptacles.
Here are three of the best picnic spots in the Smoky Mountains to take the family, your loved one or even just yourself.
The Chimney Tops Picnic Area
Chimney Tops Picnic Area opens in early March and closes at the end of November. Here you will find 68 picnic spots including several with tables that look out over the river. The picnic area sits at the trailhead for the Chimney Tops Trail. Eat first to charge your batteries before making the hike or hike first and work up, and appetite, either way, the trail will give you a good workout and offers some incredible views along the way. This is one of the most popular picnic areas in the park.
Cades Cove Picnic Area
You can take your family for a picnic here all year round (nothing like a picnic in the snow). This area offers 81 picnic spots and tends to be very busy when the weather is nice. The Cades Cove Loop covers 11 miles and is one of the most popular places for tourists in the park. Many of the picnic tables set along Laurel Creek and all tables have barbecue grills for your use. (barbecuing in the snow sounds like fun). There are several historic buildings along the loop for you to explore, and the Cades Cove campground is just down the road where you can buy everything you need for your picnic if you don’t feel like packing your own lunch.
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
Like the Cades Cove picnic area, Metcalf Bottoms is open year-round and offers 122 picnic sites, making it the second largest picnic area in the park. Each site has been leveled and has a charcoal grill for your convenience. There is also a large pavilion on-site with space for up to 70 people, restrooms, a place to fill your water bottles, and you have direct access to the Metcalf Bottoms trailhead. Once you’ve finished your meal, why not take the 1.2-mile hike to the log cabin at the other end of the trail. Built-in 1882 this cabin saw life as a school and church for over 50 years and still contains the desks and chalkboard used by Little Greenbriar School students decades ago.
Visiting on a Tuesday? Join Us Tuesdays at 2 and Learn More About Our Amazing Appalachian Heritage
Looking for something fun and educational to do when visiting Townsend, TN on a Tuesday? Don’t be fooled into thinking there can’t be anything going on just because it’s the second day of the week. Instead, take a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and enjoy their “Tuesdays @ 2 informal “coffee talk” with an incredible array of guest speakers.
Stories that Need to Be Told
The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is dedicated to protecting and preserving the rich culture and incredible history of both the Native Americans who once lived here and those who came after.
Every Tuesday the center hosts a fun and informative event in the auditorium. Each event covers a different topic ranging from folk music to history and folklore to nature. These events are free to museum members and open to guests with paid admission.
Upcoming Tuesdays@2 Events
March 19 – Ben Jarrett- The American Chestnut Foundation
The American Chestnut Foundation is dedicated to restoring the chestnut to its proper place in the Appalachian hardwood ecosystem. Ben will be here to talk about the efforts being made to bring this important hardwood tree back to the Smokies.
March 26 – Dr. Aaron Astor – Isaac Anderson
Dr. Astor has two books and numerous articles published in the New York Times “Disunion” series. He will be here to talk about the history of Isaac Anderson the founder and first president of Maryville College.
April 2 – Mark Davidson Trails and Turnpikes
Mark will talk about the area and what there is to see as you hike the many miles of trails or drive the turnpikes that take you through the peaceful side of the Smokies.
April 9 – Missy Kane – Smoky Mountain Hiking
Missy offers a presentation covering the many trails in the Smoky Mountains to hike, the conditions to expect, what you might see, how to prepare for hiking and more.
April 16 – Jeff Hunter – Wildlife and Roadways
Jeff will be here to talk about the growing amount of wildlife crossing the roads and highways, and what is being done to help reduce the number of accidents, death, and injuries to both humans and animals. He will talk about the concept of building animal crossing bridges over I-40 where most of the accidents occur.
April 23 – Mary Beth Lima – Proper Canning Techniques
Mary Beth will be here to discuss and demonstrate a variety of canning methods, explain the proper techniques, cover safety, and offer a wealth of tips and information on the subject. The perfect Tuesday afternoon for anyone wanting to learn how to can and those who already do to spend time learning from an expert.
April 30 – Libby Weitnauer – Appalachian Music with a Jam Session Afterward
Libby is both a classical violinist and a fiddle player. She has played with numerous local orchestras including the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Maryville College Community Orchestra. Today she finds herself more at home playing the fiddle and the more traditional sounds of Appalachia. Once the meeting is over, there is to be a jam session, if you play bring your instrument with you for fun!
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