Known to most as Elkmont, this area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 1901 as a logging community and home to the Little River Logging Company. In 1910 Col. Townsend leased parcels of land to the Appalachian Club, creating a luxury community mostly for wealthy Knoxville business owners. The community eventually grew to about 70 homes and a clubhouse. Part of the area, known as “Daisy Town”, remains a popular destination, with several restored homes open to visitors.
Mountaineer, bear hunter, and guide Levi Trentham (1852–1936) was known as the “Mayor of Elkmont” and was welcomed into the social life of the club. He was so well loved that after his death, the community moved his cabin—built around 1830 and believed to be the oldest surviving structure in the park—to Daisy Town. It now sits behind Col. Townsend’s house, with the servants’ quarters located just beyond it.
I photographed some of the various buildings and architectural details while Robin painted. A park ranger led a tour of the area and I followed along, picking up interesting historical tidbits. The red window trim of the cabin is an interesting curiosity.
The nearby competing Wonderland Club was formed in 1912 and included the 26-room Wonderland Hotel. We were fortunate to spend a night there before it closed in 1992.
Ironically, the two clubs were instrumental in campaigning for the creation of the national park. Their success ultimately led to the loss of their leases, and the land and buildings eventually reverted to the National Park Service.
Photographer Chris and painter Robin Rohwer share a photograph or painting each week that has captured their interest, in hopes that it will also capture yours.
Visit their studio and gallery in the Phoenix Building, 418 S. Gay St., to see more of their work, or explore their collection at www.ChristopherRobinArts.com. All works are copyright-protected.
Enjoyed this article and artwork? Read more Christopher Robin features on KnoxTNToday.
Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our Free Newsletter to receive every new article in one convenient email.
In the summer of 1988 I hosted a family reunion for my relatives @ the Wonderland hotel. It was the hottest summer on record and if it hadn’t been for the daily tubing trips we took near the sinks my family might have melted then and there ( there was no air conditioning in our rooms either). However, fresh river trout dinners, a local blue grass band, and story telling about our great grandfather who engineered the rail yards in Nashville made for a memorable weekend with 30 cousins from as far away as Colorado.
Sounds like a wonderful memory minus the heat.