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 According to geologist, over 2 million years ago a tremendous upheaval of the earth’s surface formed the Great Smokies. Warmth, abundant moisture and the diversity of environments brought about by the altitude and dissection of the mountains also contributed to the variety of plant and animal life. Today, the mountains have over 4,000 species of plant life, 65 mammals, 200 birds, 70 fish, and 80 reptiles and amphibians. Because of the climatic change accompanying the gain in altitude, a one-day hike could take you through oak and pine forest (common in northern Georgia), hickory and maple trees (common in Virginia), northern hardwood (found in Massachusetts ) and spruce and fir forest (common in Canada).
The first known inhabitants of the Smokies were the Cherokee Indians. Surprisingly, their lives were similar to, and in some ways more sophisticated than, the white man who would eventually force them from the land. The Cherokees were farmers and hunters. Most could read and write the Cherokee language. Instead of teepees, they lived in cabins made of mud and logs. Unfortunately, the white man wanted the land and, although treaties were made, the white man broke them more often than not. The 1830 Removal Act forced about 13,000 Cherokees to march to Oklahoma. Later, one quarter of them returned and rejoined those who had stayed. Today, the eastern band of the Cherokees have a reservation on the Park’s North Carolina side.
Shortly after the turn of the century, logging began. By 1934, almost 65% of the forest was logged. Railroads sprang up to carry the lumber out of the area, and about 1200 farms in the Park helped to feed the loggers.
Most of the National Parks in America were originally part of government-owned lands; however, the Smokies were owned by private individuals and companies. In 1926, Congress authorized North Carolina and Tennessee to begin allocating funds for the purchase of the land. In 1934, with the help of individuals such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the state bought the land and gave it to the Federal Government. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated the Park on September 2, 1940.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the North Carolina/Tennessee border for about 70 miles, covering 521,000 acres. There are more than 300 streams, flowing over 700 miles. More than 50 types of mammals live in the park, including the popular black bear. The logging in the early part of the century forced them to relocate to the more forested areas of the park, where they are now studied and protected. For current park events and information call 865-436-1200.
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