Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Pigeon Forge is located just 5 miles from the entrance to the most visited National Park in the country. The peaks of the Great Smokey Mountains are prominent from everywhere in Pigeon Forge.

This close proximity to the national park makes
Pigeon Forge the lodging destination for many visitors coming to the park.

Pigeon Forge is located in Sevier county and is 30 miles southeast of Knoxville, the capital of Tennessee. It sits on the west prong of the Little Pigeon River, surrounded by Pine Mountain on the west and Shields Mountain on the east.

The town is small, approximately 11.6 square miles with a population of about 5,000 people.

Pigeon Forge has grown out of the soil of a Cherokee hunting ground. Many Native Americans hunted the grounds where the popular tourist town now sits but few would ever believe it today.

Samuel Wear, a Colonel who fought in the Revolutionary War, built a fort in the Pigeon Forge area around 1781. The fort was probably near the area now known as Wears Valley.

In 1820, a pioneer by the name of Isaac Love came to the area and built an iron forge.
I think you can already see where at least part of the name Pigeon Forge originated. Mr. Love and his family had quite an impact on the area. His son built a mill on the river in Pigeon Forge and a mill still stands there today.

The name Pigeon Forge, was derived not only from the fact that an iron forge was built in the area but from the fact that a great number of passenger pigeons spent a lot of time here.

The passenger pigeons came to the area to feed on the many Beechnuts that grew along the river. Thus, the river was given the name the Little Pigeon River.

Pigeon Forge grew slowly until 1961, when the town was incorporated. It seemed the growth began to increase more rapidly after the incorporation.
The increase in growth was related also to the national park that had been dedicated in 1940. The park drew many visitors and thus Pigeon Forge's industry soon became tourism.

New business was recruited primarily related to tourism. Restaurants, lodging and entertainment became the primary employers in town.

A major turning point in the cities new industry came in 1986. Dolly Parton, country singer/ entertainer, gave her name to a theme park in Pigeon Forge and the town has never been the same since.

Growth has been phenomenal. Many of the locals refer to Pigeon Forge now as the neon circus.">

When visiting Pigeon Forge today you will find a very exciting vacation destination. Unlike the sleepy little town of the past, excitement and entertainment abound.

There are restaurants of every kind you can imagine. From the steak connoisseur to the hot dog lover all are able to locate a meal to please the palate. My favorite place is a restaurant called the Apple Barn. The Apple Barn has it all, charm, fantastic food and friendly service. Another great place to eat is the pancake house, Flapjacks, just get there early they close at noon.

If you are more interested in entertainment than food there are just as many choices. You will find putt-putt, bumper cars and Nascars. There are live dinner entertainment and shows available, shows with bears to shows with acrobats and even Elvis Presley. It would be difficult to not find a show that fits your taste.

If I haven't covered your favorite thing to do yet, how about shopping? Pigeon Forge is loaded with places to shop. I can not beleive there is anyone who could not find a place to enjoy shopping in this town. You will find outlet malls with fine china to designer clothes, you can even find an "As Seen on TV" store. There are souvenir shops, and log furniture shops and a whole lot more.

Who would have ever imagined a place like this growing in a quiet valley in the shadows of the Smokey Mountains?

When I am in Pigeon Forge I like to stay at a mountain hideaway . I prefer to stay in a cabin up in the mountains where I can relax and enjoy nature, and the peace and quiet.

I truly enjoy visiting the Pigeon Forge attractions and eating at the great local restaurants but when I decide to go relax, I enjoy a cabin.

Setting on the deck in a rocking chair and listening to the birds and the wind blowing through the trees is my idea of a beautiful morning. Sitting in my pj's and sipping my coffee as the sunrises over the ridge is great.

Pigeon Forge owes much of its success to Dollywood, a theme park which bears the name of Dolly Parton.
Dollywood encompases 125 acres and has live entertainment, a wooden roller coaster, and five annual festivals.

The festivals that are showcased at the theme park are between the months of March and December, as the weather is a bit too chilly during January and February. There is a Festival of Nations, a KidsFest, a BBQ and Bluegrass, the National Gospel and Harvest Festival and last but not least, the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival. All are well worth attending, but my favorite is the Christmas Festival.

Besides the great festivals, anyday you can be entertained by Craftsmen at the park. You will find glass blowing, blacksmithing and even lye soap making. I don't know how many people know what lye soap is exactly, but it is all natural and made right at Dollywood. For the children they can participate in candle dipping, this is a messy but fun activity for the kids. There is also a working gristmill inside the park making real stone ground meal, I love to go to the mill and pick up some goodies.

You can always find something you like at Dollywood, live entertainment, rides, food and all around fun. I guess that must be why it has been such a big part of the growth of Pigeon Forge.