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Carter Shields Cabin of Cades Cove

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Cades Cove and the Carter Shields Cabin

Cades Cove is located in the Smoky Mountains, the cove is a reminder of times past. A community once existed in Cades Cove that sustained itself from the land and what was available. The community grew on the bonds that developed between the families who lived there and hard work.

The U.S. National Park service maintains the cove, preserving as much as possible, the look and feel of the original cove of the 1800's.

One of the most treasured and picturesque places in the cove is the Carter Shield's cabin. This cabin seems to represent what the cove was all about. When you see the cabin, you can dream of the way things would have been back in the 1800's. This cabin seems to depict the essence of Cades Cove.

Carter Shields Cabin

The Carter Shields cabin is the last cabin in an 11 mile loop that makes up the Cades Cove community loop in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I think it is fitting that it is the last cabin on the loop, it is like having dinner and saving the best for last, the dessert.

This tiny cabin was built in the 1800's, around the 1830-1850 timeframe. It consists of a fireplace and living space with a stairway to a second level. It is small and functional, as most homes were at this time. It was made from the available materials, logs and had few windows.

The history of the cabin and family who built it are not easy to find. It appears that a man named Robert Shields may have built the cabin for his family that was escaping the typhoid epidemic near Chilhowee in the 1820's. But I have not been able to find documentation to prove this theory. Robert Shields died in 1850.

I have found documentation that a man named Washington "Carter" Shields,bought the land and cabin from the Sparks family in 1910. He lived in the cabin for only 11 years and then moved on. I find it difficult to believe he could have found a more perfect place to live than Cades Cove.

My Photo Blog

I mention our trip to Cades Cove in my Photo blog
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Reading About Cades Cove

If you find the cove as interesting as I do you might like to find more information about the cove. Here are a few interesting books filled with facts on Cades Cove and the Carter Shields cabin.
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Introduction to Cades Cove

Although this video does not include a visit to Carter Shields cabin, it will give you an idea of the beauty and flavor of Cades Cove.
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Have you visited Cades Cove?

  • Teresa Apr 4, 2012 @ 10:41 pm | delete
    Yes lots of times! I plan to go again alot of my families history is there.I am a descendant of James Carter Shields.
  • poddys Feb 13, 2011 @ 4:55 am | delete
    I spent a few hours in Cades Cove about 11 years ago, it's a wonderful place. Would love to go back there.
  • mulberry Mar 4, 2010 @ 6:27 am | delete
    I've been there and it is a lovely spot with some interesting history. Fantastic photos here and good research into the history of the cabin!
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Cameras for the Trip

Since I love taking pictures and I am sure most people do, I want to offer a nice digital camera to take with you on your visit to the cove.
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Photos of Carter Shields Cabin

The photos in this lens were taken by me and my husband. If you like any of them or are interested in more photos of Cades Cove you can find more photos to enjoy or purchase at my website. www.naturesglory.ifp3.com

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Hi, I am a nature and landscape photographer living in Tennessee near Chattanooga. I attempt to capture the beauty of nature and her creatures for oth... more »

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