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On one particular visit in 1956, Loy McGill and his father, Lee, packed their
’54 Kaiser Car with picnic goodies and headed to Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. But they weren’t the only ones planning to enjoy a delicious outdoor meal
on that warm summer day.
“Dad was still in the car gathering up our box of picnic food. We had some fried
chicken, and homemade potato salad and it must’ve smelled good to more than just
us. I had already gotten out and was taking some photographs with my camera. Dad
was just about ready to get out but when he turned to open the door he was face
to face with a young black bear staring at him through the window. Dad was so
shocked to see it, he jumped in the back seat with the rest of the food. My
passenger side door was still open and I could hear him yelling ‘Get in the car!
Get in the car!’ Well, I did. But not before getting this great picture. I
carried it for years because, well, I had a picture of a black bear. But I also
had a memory with my dad that I would never forget and I was fortunate enough to
be able to share it with people I met throughout my life. We returned to the
mountains many times after that; but that trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is
something I still cherish and that picture is something I still carry.” – Loy
McGill, Great Smoky Mountains Visitor and Shutterbug Extraordinaire |
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On Mother’s Day in 1932, the Ogle and Wayland families held a picnic in
Sevierville at the Ogle home, which is now the headquarters for Five Oaks
Development. Just after potato salad and fresh brewed sun tea, the group
(including a photogenic horse) posed for this photo. Afterward, family games
included seesaws (custom built at home), taking turns riding that horse around
the field and seeing who could gather the prettiest wildflower bouquet for their
mom.
Much the same thing happens today in Sevierville as families travel from near
and far to regroup, reconnect and reunite. I guess you could say, around here
reunions are a tradition as great as the Smoky Mountains. Thank you Great Smoky
Mountains National Park for 75 years of bringing folks together. |
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For more than 75 years Sevierville has served as the center of shopping in the
Great Smoky Mountains. Especially on Saturdays, folks from town and even those
who lived in the mountains would travel to Sevierville for the latest apparel,
accessories and fun. They purchased ice cream sodas from Williams Drug Store and
their Sunday best at hometown fashion spots like Wade’s Department Store. tore.
Mrs. Victoria Wade (pictured second from left) looks on as teen customers try
the latest fashion in Hush Puppies loafers. Victoria Wade opened Wade’s
Department Store in downtown Sevierville along with her son, Dwight L. Wade, in
1929.
The store carried a wide assortment of dry goods that gave her an opportunity to
market with humor. On the front counter she posted a sign which said “Cannon
towels for the whole damp family.” Over the bra and lingerie counter a sign
reading “We fix flats” topped off a display of “falsies.” She even quoted Ben
Franklin in the restroom with a sign saying “Haste makes waste.” Wade’s
Department Store operated as a family business until 1970 and Victoria worked
there greeting “her public” until she was 89 years old.
A former teacher and lifelong devotee of education, Victoria Wade encouraged
everyone to get a good education, especially young women. She worked to put both
her son and daughter through college and also financially helped a young woman
named Grace Kerley attend well-respected Maryville College in the 1930s.
Today, Victoria Mall (named for Mrs. Wade) occupies the downtown location where
Wade’s Department Store once stood. |
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After the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened in 1934, more people than
ever traveled through Sevierville. Not surprisingly, many of them fell in love
with our small city and decided to stay. Family grocery stores like Ketner’s
Grocery Company were one of the many retail outlets where residents and visitors
alike could hear a friendly word and pick up some fresh produce, or just play a
quick game of Checkers on the front porch.
Ketner’s Grocery Company was located on what is now the corner of Park Road and
Belle Avenue. The store was in continuous operation until the late 1960s (first
as Ketner’s and later as Nave’s). Mr. Ketner pulled double duty during the ‘40s
both operating the grocery company and serving as Mayor of Sevierville.
The next time you drive to the Smoky Mountains, be sure and come by to see us in
Sevierville. And, if like many folks before, you find yourself falling in love
with our city and deciding to stay. Well, we’ll welcome you with open arms and
good ole southern hospitality. |
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Life has bustled in Sevierville for well over 75 years. As the center of
commerce in the Great Smoky Mountains, Sevierville has long been a hub for
shopping, commerce and scenic beauty. But with the formation of Great Smoky
Mountains National Park in 1934, Sevierville also became a place visitors could
rely on for great overnight accommodations and family friendly fun.
This photo of cars lining what is now known as Park Road features Sevierville’s
skyline as of 1923. At the time this photo was taken the road was called New
Road. Once the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened in 1934, the name of
the road was changed to Park Road because it led to the new national park.
Note the elegant clock tower of the Sevier County Courthouse in the distance.
This Courthouse is Sevier County’s fifth and current courthouse and was built in
1896 at a cost of $21,041.93. The Sevier County Courthouse was designed by the
McDonald brothers as an example of the Beaux-Arts classical style and utilizes
bricks manufactured by African-American mason and Sevierville resident, Isaac
Dockery. Remodeled in 1970, the courthouse rises 130 feet above the surrounding
city of Sevierville and contains a four-sided Seth Thomas clock set into its
elegant tower.
Today people still come from all over to see the scenic beauty, enjoy the rich
heritage and have fun together. Here’s to 75 years of visiting Sevierville and
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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