One of America’s most famous and popular parks, located in the eastern Appalachian Mountains, is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Among some the tallest peaks in the east, this land was once the home to the Cherokee Indians who described it as the Land of Blue Smoke. Today, among the heavily forested mountains cloaked in an ever-present blue haze, sightseers may choose from a variety of auto tours, drawing some of the largest visitation numbers of any park in the world. And one of the most popular stops in the park is Cades Cove. Here visitors find one of the best areas to view the park’s wildlife. Elk, deer, grey wolves, skunk, fox and black bear are sure to capture the hearts of city folks who seldom see any wildlife.
   Cades Cove also attracts many visitors wishing to see how their forebears lived. In the broad, verdant valley, park-goers are introduced to one of the largest collections of 19th century rustic architecture in the park. Here along the 11 mile scenic Cades Cove Loop, the Park Service has managed to preserve a working grist mill, several cabins, three churches and various out-buildings and barns.
   Pictured above is the Missionary Baptist Church, first established in 1839. The church served the community for over 130 years. Church members initially met in individual’s homes, continuing this practice throughout the Civil War period. This simplistic wood-framed structure was built on Hyatt Hill in 1915, replacing the first church that was quickly outgrown.

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