Life in the Tennessee Valley before TVA. 

A reaction from far away, The Netherlands, a small country down by the Northsea thousands of miles across the ocean. I have some family in New York state. Worked for AT&T and visited the US four times. Been to Richmond VA, Dallas TX, factories in Penssylvania and visited for leasure Washington, New York city and batllefields around Richmond. Very special was Colonial Williamsburg. I love these stories so much, history comes alive.

Again Donnie, I love your videos. Takes me back to my growing up days. I was born in sevierville,Tn. All my ancestors on both sides have been in East Tennessee since the early 1700’s. Spent a lot of time with my grandparents in the early sixties,before they had electricity or indoor plumbing. They lived a lot like the people a hundred years before them. Precious memories.

Love your stories about our area. I was born and raised in Union County, Tn. Lots of my ancestors was impacted by the TVA. It was a very sad time for everyone having to move away from family and friends. You said something about Roosevelt started building the dam in 1936. I think you meant to say the dam first started operating in 1936. The dam was actually started in 1933. Took almost three years to complete. The land people had to move off of is now the place million dollar homes are built. Doesn’t seem fair does it. Same with Tellico and other lakes. My heart is saddened by the stories I heard. You do a great job with your videos.

Thank you, Sir. For these lovely stories on country living. I yearn for the simple living. Going back to nature and country. Keep them coming. I want to see all of them and enjoy those wonderful days. God bless. Amador, Kingdom Christian from sunny Puerto Rico.

These were the good old days now so many memories are brought back every time I watch your videos sir and I’m Thankful for you and your videos Amen 🙏. Be safe and GOD BLESS y’all Amen 🙏

Great 411 in story form ! Born and raised here till joining marine corps after high school. Couldn’t wait to leave these backwoods little towns behind..... then couldn’t wait to get back! Been all over and there is literally no better folks anywhere than RIGHT HERE North Alabama southern Tennessee ! Love your channel sir ...

Thank you for this wonderful story. We live on the Clinch over in Roane County, just west of your map. The old folks in these parts tell it almost exactly as you have shown and described it. When the water was low in winter time, they showed me the pillars where the old bridges, lumber and grist mills stood, and where the old roads went. They are gone and I am old, but I teach the youngins. We must never forget.

When you show pictures of these mountains, it takes me back to precious memories of my aunt & uncle's getaway cabin way up in the mountains of Hampshire county, WV. We went often on weekends. It had a stained redwood deck that had a spectacular view of the valley and mountain range. It was heaven to be out there in all kinds of weather, watching the clouds and sunlight and breeze constantly change the colors of the landscape. I can still close my eyes and see it, remembering the rich fresh smell, the birds, the wildlife, and at night; the bats. :). We kids loved those weekends. My uncle was ferocious about making sure everybody wore solid boots all the time; the snakes were everywhere. There was a big stone circle out in the open area where you could make a big fire and roast dinner or marshmallows. We kids always loved our last stop of "civilization" in Berkeley Springs at the little country store, where my aunt would buy milk and bread, and us kids would get our weekend supply of candy with saved allowance money. The cabin had an outhouse that the door faced the ridge line. You could sit there and do your business and drink in the incredible view. No electricity, no running water. It was heaven.

Rich in tradition, elegant and simple in natural beauty . Someplace I could spend the rest of my mind staying. Thanks for the share.

As someone that growed up in Loudon County , we had family in Lafollette , & up the mountain into Jellico . My Grandma Grant / Arthur was displaced by Norris Dam Construction . Her farm was immediately behind the Dam and the fence line can still be seen today as lake levels permit . They were poor in some ways but rich in others . My Mother as well as my Uncle worked at Y-12 during the WWII Manhattan Project . I have traveled the world and the United States but those mountains are still home . A Yankee by birth , but Southern by the Grace of GOD !

Thank once again Mr. Donnie, I could listen to you all day! You are an amazing story teller.. God bless

Earl Hamner(The Waltons) said in an epilogue once; some people are drawn to deserts, some to oceans, but my family were drawn to the mountains. This is how i feel, too. Enjoyed your video greatly.

I love your historical videos most of all. Keep em coming Donnie.

Awesome history lesson!!! All I can say is keep them coming and I’ll be watching. Congratulations on the 2000.

I love the history lesson. You do a wonderful job telling and show the history of the area that you love so much. Keep up the wonderful job of sharing your treasure of history with us. God Bless.

I love the Way It Was before the Dams

I have lived in the Smokey mountians and I,have lived in,the lower apalachia. Near the Tennessee valley erea. I am part Cherokee and creek Muskogeon mixed with Irish and Scotts,, and maybe other to throw in good measure,, , These mountians is my home. I'm Appalachian thru and thru.I ain't ashamed of my southern Speech or my mountian ways. Its who I am and proud of it too,,,

The days may be gone but the beauty remains forever. Just georgeous. you are so blessed to live there. thanks so much for sharing your homeland with us Donnie. your friend , Louise

Thank you for sharing! My family from that area were mostly Overhill Cherokee. Some moved out as Old Settlers and the others on the Trail of Tears. My family always held that part of the country near and dear to our hearts. I haven’t been there for years, but I still remember its beauty. That’s a slice of God’s Country there.

I so enjoy seeing where my family came from thank you

Most of us yearn for simpler times, the good ole days of our youth. You take us all back to those times. Thank you.

I was born and raised in oak ridge while guard stations were still active. My dad was raised on eagle Creek behind Fontana dam and went to school at proctor. His dad and 2 brothers worked at the copper mine before dam. You can see the foundation of their house during the draw down.

Thank you, Donnie. God bless. 🙏

Love history and really enjoy your videos. You are a great narrator. Keep em coming!

I’m thankful to have found your channel, Donnie. I’m from Illinois and bought land in East Tennessee to retire to in a handful of years. I have learned so much of the history of my soon-to-be home State from you! Thanks for the history lesson.

Thank you

Absolutely great video Donnie Laws! I'm from Anderson County and have spent many, many days smallmouth bass fishing on the Houston, French Broad and upper Clinch Rivers. Many smallmouth trips on Norris, Cherokee and Douglas Lakes. Great trout fishing below Norris Dam! I sure do miss East TN. Thanks Donnie

So soulful. Love your storytelling style.

My mother’s family is from East Tennessee ( Sevierville, English Mountain, Chestnut Hill, etc) and my father is from West Tennessee. I still have great great grandma Cody’s dress and apron. Just looking at it, one can guess how hard she worked.

Love the history, I’m 50% American Indian, from California, my grandparents, used to tell me stories about their great great grandparents, and how it was back then and how they used to hunt, and how they used a can different fruits, tomatoes, and everything they can can as well, this brought a lot of memories my grandparents are here and gone, but the memories are always going to stay hi I am a blind individual, but I do remember the beauty of Tennessee, in the country life, I love that I’m going to subscribe to your channel and keep up with the stories. Love them

This is just more than beautiful.. Thank you for sharing

We live in the TN Valley in N. AL. Wilson Dam and Wheeler Dam are near us . We are in Lauderdale county. My grandaddy worked busting rock with a sledge hammer for 50 cents a day at Wilson dam when the TVA was building it and he got to see when they used mules to open the spill ways. 🙂

We lived happy and free for thousands of years until modernization showed up! Corporations, banks swooped in and nowadays nobody knows how to take care of themselves, feed their young or grow anything... so we build hospitals all over the country to care for our sicker and sicker generations...while depleting people's hard earned savings... God bless homesteading!

Thanks for reviving memories. Enjoy all of your episodes.

we are on Douglas Lake near the Dam between Dandridge and Sevierville - Joy & Donny

Man do love the history in the area and the way you bring it. Stay safe.

Another gem! Thank you, Donnie.

I enjoyed this thank you very much! I'm in the southern tip of the TVA in North Georgia. I live between Lake Chatuge and Nottely Lake.

As usual, a very fascinating presentation. Thanks so much!

This was great thanks Donnie !!!!!♥️

Thank you for your great videos and stories

Such a beautiful land!!!

'Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without'

Thank you so much for the stories and the memories of a simpler life. I'm from Kentucky and grew up in a holler with my 9 siblings..we didn't have much as far as material wise but we had a lot of love and family was our cornerstone of existence..

Thanks for the memories Donnie

Love the music peaceful nice quiet

I listen to your videos as I'm getting ready for work in the morning and really appreciate you doing this. They are well thought out and put together. And it's takes my mind off of work.

Just found your channel. I love your history lessons.

Thank you Mr. Laws...🙏 I imagine heaven being the way God created Tennessee to be in the beginning🕊🦋🐝🌻 Thanks again.

I can remember my Father always was at odds with the TVA, he would not go in to details about it but it seemed to be a real problem while he was at Alabama Power. It is really shame how they destroyed the mountains and the people who lived there. Thank you brother for this bit of history.

Thank you for the wonderful video! Also for those unaware this is a great example of the local dialect! :)

Appreciate your work on this series Sir . Watching this after Church today here in Arizona , Boy, I have a strong pull to get back Home soon ... We're gonna watch the whole of your series .. Thank You Again .

Donnie love the way you tell stories

Thanks again for sharing, Donnie

Hey Donnie sir I go back and watch your older videos some

Good story thank you.

those rivers and lakes and streams looks like they go on for ever. gee that's a beautiful land and story.

The movie that got me interested in this part of the country when I was a kid was Thunder Road that came out about 1958 with Robert Mitchum....I went to see this movie when it came out in a small theatre near my home town of Zillah Washington....we went back 5 days in a row to see it again and again....I still watch it now.........Donnie Iam sure you have watched and enjoyed it also.

My Dad played football for Boones Creek & they played Butler at Butler it only had goal post one one end. The Watauga river was on one end . You had to go to other end to kick extra points. Dad was born in 1926 lived 92 years. The McQueens owned a Hollow clean to the top of Butler MTN. Today their ancestors run a sawmill up the Hollow. Shelton McQueen 6th grade education, designed toys & had patents. His dad was a bootlegger.

Thanks for sharing! Great video

I’m 42 and I love watching your story my dad family come from the south hell my great great grandfather was Joseph wheeler a confederate officer bit a great time war and stuff don’t agree war is a deadly thing and his name is below the belt being a southern But he never own any slaves! My dad grandma was Cherokee that alot story there!

Thanks for sharing the history

Awesome video. My wife and I honeymooned on Dale hollow in 1986.

So beautiful! I was raised in GA. My mom was raised in N.C., and TVA provided power for upper portion of those states. I learned that on your map. Thank you Donnie!

This is my history! Trying to get back there

Thank you sir for sharing your videos and memories with us all. Brangs some great memories back but not all was good memories there were hard times to.

Awesome video Donnie, enjoyed all the old pictures 🤠👍🏻

I live in Rhea county, East Tn. Back in the 1940’s they began construction on watts bar dam and bought up big chunks of the valley including the little community of “Rhea Springs”. Now it is all underwater and our town is called Spring city. The location that they built the nuclear plant in rhea county was right on top of an Indian settlement and when they started excavating they found thousands of artifacts. So many that it turned into an archeological dig by the Mclung museum of natural history.. nowadays very few know it’s past. People know watts bar and & Chickamauga lake for its famous bass fishing, but they don’t realize there fishing right above old communities and farmer fields.

Awesome video… thanks buddy…

Love it I live above the Oscar B Lover bridge and Nolachucky dam Davie crockett lake

My grandfather lived before tva dammed the Tennessee river. Living off the land. Hunting. Fishing. And and canning food was big logging was big too. My grandfather and his father were mule traders they used mules to pull the logs out,, ,so mules and horses. Were in great demand. And that's was how he made a living in,those early days later he traded on tracters trucks. Or just what ever ,, I've been to watagua and Fontana. Hey thanks.ps here's and old saying that fellow could sell a blind mule a deck of cards. People used to say that about my paw paw cause he was good at trading ,,

I moved from Upstate NY to Chattanooga TN. Love our waterways but the dams make fishing annoying. Always checking to see if they are dumping too much water, or pulling water. I grew up fishing the finger lakes. Still love TN and glad that we have power.

Excellent video - Thanks!

I grew up in Newport, TN and moved away in 2014. I love hearing you talk and hearing the stories. Thank you!

Love your channel some great stories & history of the Appalachian mountains & ppl. There is more than one earthen dam I'm the tva system. Tims Ford dam is the largest earthen dam in the system I believe. It's my local tva lake we frequent

My wife's family lost there home to one of TVA'S Dams. Some of the family lives in Dunlap today. A lot of sacrifice by a lot of poor people of the valley!

Remember hearing about Tellico area in loudon county TVA built a dam Fort loudon dam Tellico went under water.

My moms side of the family is from the hills around Lenoir City. My mom still has her grandpa's bowl. Every kid had 1. I love listenin to more history of where I'm from. I love listenin to you talk about it too. Stay safe out there

I once saw canned pickled black snake. Very good video.

Thanks for sharing,beautiful country!

It all goes back to source always 💙💜❤️ everyone 🙏🙌⏩

I hope to visit Smokey Mountains in the summer or fall this year

I just found your channel. My parents and grandparents and their parents are all from East Tenn. Mostly Knox, Sevier, Blount and Jefferson Counties. My grandfather was a carpenter by trade and during his time in the Army of WWII he worked on construction of the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge. He then went on to work for the TVA and worked on many of the TVA Dams. My Uncle Ernest Smith was a Dam Guard at Douglas Dam. That was the ONLY time I could say DAM without getting my mouth washed out with soap. LAVA tasted bad and the pumice in it. Grandfather retired from TVA and had built a weekend cabin on Douglas Lake , not far from Swans Chapel Church. Dad and Mom moved us to Dallas Texas in 1966. Later met a nice girl and took her to a family reunion off Chapman Hwy and John Sevier Hwy. She saw the beauty of the Smokies and a year later we came back to get married. We were married at Temple's Feed and Seed. Mr Temple was the JP across the street from the Sevier County Court House. I've been retired since 2008 and my vocabulary has slid back to my early days in East Tennessee. Watching yours and others videos like this has made me sad I am not there. Just a cousin and his family there, Sisters and Mother in law here. The town I worked in on the Texas and Okla border, the sidewalks rolled up at 5 o'clock. A wet town and lots of rowdy drunks, and YES, Native American's from Okla cannot hold their firewater. I was a LEO for 30 years, watching growth from the Dallas Ft Worth area migrate North. No sleepy little town anymore. The Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians has Casinos across the river in Okla. Listening to your stories we are around the same age. I was born the year Chevrolet had the first year of it's best car, the 1955. My Best friends are 55, 56 and 57 models. This town was a railroad town for many years until I learned what a merger means. The town nearly dried up. Major manufacturing closed up, EPA rules for asbestos contamination. Campbell soups, Pillsbury and Safeway plants went out too. Slow growing back to a town that could provide without driving an hour or more to DFW Metromess. As Bob Hope always said, THANKS for the MEMORIES!

Good informing veedio

Loved it. Sharing this on my Friends of the Blount County Historical Museum. Thanks Teresa

My black and tans hound dog is from Paris Tennessee , , 🐶

Donnie I love your videos you tell such amazing tales of the old days I thank you so much for them

Love eastern Tennessee. I got family that lives outside Chattanooga, TN Dayton and Soddy daisy area. Had 2 uncles work for TVA. Thanks for sharing.

I pert much grew up in the area that is now known as the land between the lakes. Mr. Roosevelt created the TVA for the purpose of bring electric 💡 and flood control. The Berkeley damn and the Kentucky dam formed the the lakes. In 1963 JFK made this area a national recreational area. Now it is an expensive area but growing up we were poor farm folk.

Yep and these people were free unlike today's times

I've toured Fontana Dam as a child. Beautiful place. Thank you. Enjoyed this video.

Every community has a "Burnt Mill Road"! We had our baptisms in Powell River outside of Tazewell/New Tazewell.

Great way to life without electricity you are better off way better. Very nice video I wish we still didn't have electricity today way of life would be way better.

Awesome.

Very nice video good job.

great video, when we kayak some of these man made lakes created by dams I can't help but think of the lost towns that lay underneath the water. All the towns mostly forgotten. TVA & ALCOA took a lot of land and displaced a number of communities to create the lakes that provide electricity.

Well told story

I have worked in coal mines in Alabama with a number of East Tennessee men all were hard workers and good people💪🏼

As a resident of ETN, we greatly respect the Cherokee people. We honor the names of their communities and have great reverence towards their leaders. Without them, ETN residents would never have been able to settle the mountains and valleys. It truly is a shame what we have done to them, and there is no true way to atone for those sins of our ancestors.

I remember every Sunday eating chicken dinners and using the washer ringer