A look back at Big and Little Cataloochee before the National Park. Photos courtesy of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A place rarely hiked prior to the introduction of the Elk. Video for educational use only.
I am the Great Grandson of I.B Mcgaha from Little Cataloochee/Mount Sterling area. I do not know the man who produced this video, but He did me proud. Fantastic video, the man did his research! My Dad and I are some of the last walking links to the History of that fine place. I am now 54 years old and actually Thank the Park Service for leaving it unspoiled. Otherwise it would be developed into resorts etc etc.Long Live the Smokys and Go Tuscola Mountaneers!!!
Great video! It's amazing that these people's productivity cannot be matched today. Their knowledge and experience is lost in time never to be seen again.
I have hiked here, numerous times. The history of the area is what keeps drawing me back to the Cataloochee...that and the fly fishing on the streams in the valley.
why did the National Park Service chose to let all these beautiful places, places that have been there so long and speak of another time in this country, go to ruin? This was the original meaning of Eminent Domain. These people had been in that area for generations, worked their fingers to the bone to make beautiful farms, and for what? The Country to come in, let all their years of sweat, labor, and love, fall to pieces? So the beauty of the area would show? Those people and their farms were the beauty of this area. Saddens me, greatly.
Some of the surnames mentioned are my descendants. A story passed down from my family is that the park system wanted to use my great grandmothers home as part of a historical museum. She declined and had it burned to the ground. 🔥😞 I wish it were still there.
I hate to hear that Missy they used part of my Great Grandfather's house as a mini museum in Cataloochee Valley. The Palmer House has artifacts and a video feature in it. My great grandfather bought that house from the Palmers when he moved from Little Cataloochee before moving to Waynesville N.C.When the Park opened. So I fully understand how it Hits You. I may know some of those surnames. I went to school with a Ton of Smoky Mtn Descendents
Thomas Popcorn Sutton was born a mile up the road here where I live. Good old Hemphill Road here in Jonathan Valley. Made Shine with Him up in Maggie Valley. I learned from His mishaps what To Do and NOT when making that Stuff. He would cuss me like a Dog the whole time while dropping his half mile long Pall Mall Cigarette ash in the Fresh Mash. His Son Saul is a trip changing tires one day on TV the next.
P.S.Popcorn's Sister Pansy Sutton was a dangerous cat She would soon shoot you or cut you than deal with you, but Her Mash making was the best on the Planet. She could have bottled that Corn Beer and made a Mint!!!!!It was Delicious and Nutritious!! Corn and I would slip in and get it so we would not have to deal with her. Take it down to the valley at His "Antique/Junk Store".Take down the Boiled Peanut Sign drain out the peanuts/rinse. Throw in the mash set up Cap and Condenser! Jonathan Creek right behind Shop, hose to the Worm Barrel We in business selling Photos of Old Popcorn and bottles of Shine to the Florida Folks up on Vacation. If your Tag was from NC No Sale his policy. Damn I miss the 90's in Maggie Valley. Sorry for the long story I could write a book about Maggie Valley folks.Oh shit I am one of Them!!!!!
