Gatlinburg Through the Decades
1800s
White Oak Flats Settlement
Gatlinburg's history dates back to the early 1800s, when the area was known as White Oak Flats because of the many white oak trees that blanketed the landscape. Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, a widow, is widely recognized as the community's first permanent settler. Following the wishes of her late husband, she brought her family to East Tennessee to begin a new life in what he had described as a "Land of Paradise." In the years that followed, families whose names remain well-known in the area today—including the McCarters, Reagans, Whaleys, and Trenthams—settled along the region's streams, valleys, and hollows, helping establish the foundation of the growing community.
1934
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park transformed Gatlinburg into a gateway to natural wonder. Tourism began to flourish as visitors discovered the area's breathtaking beauty.
1980s-Present
Modern Mountain Resort
Gatlinburg evolved into a year-round destination with a ski resort, attractions, and entertainment while preserving its mountain heritage and natural surroundings that first drew settlers centuries ago.
