Land of the Smokies

Land of the Smokies chronicles tourist attractions and recreational destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains from the 1920s to the present day. Through photographs and historical records, it documents the evolution of tourism in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. The book examines roadside attractions, motels, restaurants, gift shops, and theme parks that emerged as automobile travel brought visitors to the region. Specific focus is given to attractions like Ghost Town in the Sky, Frontierland, and Santa's Land, along with the development of Cherokee tourism and Gatlinburg's transformation. Author Tim Hollis draws from archives, postcards, and promotional materials to reconstruct the commercial tourism landscape of decades past. The text moves chronologically through distinct eras of Smoky Mountain tourism development. The work serves as both a historical record and a meditation on how tourism shaped regional identity in Appalachia. Through its examination of roadside attractions and tourist culture, the book reveals broader patterns about commercialization and authenticity in American travel experiences.

Reviews indicate readers enjoy this book as a nostalgic look at Great Smoky Mountains tourist attractions from the 1950s-1970s. The photos receive frequent mentions, with readers citing them as valuable historical documentation of now-closed attractions. Positive points: - Detailed coverage of lesser-known attractions and businesses - Personal stories and memories included alongside facts - Clear organization by geographic area - High quality vintage photographs and postcards Criticisms: - Some readers wanted more depth on major attractions - Limited coverage of current/modern attractions - Focus is mainly on commercial tourism rather than the national park itself Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (23 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (8 ratings) Reader quote: "A wonderful trip down memory lane for anyone who visited the Smokies as a child. The photographs alone are worth the price." - Amazon reviewer

Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Randy Russell Chronicles historical legends, ghost stories, and cultural tales from mountain communities surrounding the national park.

Lost Attractions of the Smokies by Stephen Jansen Documents forgotten tourist spots, abandoned theme parks, and bygone attractions that shaped tourism in the Great Smoky Mountains region from 1930-1980.

Southern Mountain Resorts by Mary Cable Traces the development of southern Appalachian tourism through the establishment of grand hotels, health spas, and recreational destinations.

Postcards from the Great Smoky Mountains by Terry Ruscin Presents a visual history of the Smokies through vintage postcards depicting tourist attractions, scenic vistas, and mountain culture from the early 1900s.

Mountain Tourism in the Southern Appalachians by Richard Starnes Examines how tourism transformed the economy and culture of mountain communities in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia through the 20th century.

🌲 Author Tim Hollis has written over 30 books focusing on Southern tourism, entertainment, and pop culture history, making him a leading authority on roadside Americana in the Southeast. 🏔️ The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, featured extensively in the book, is America's most visited national park, drawing over 14 million visitors annually. 🎢 Many of the tourist attractions documented in "Land of the Smokies" no longer exist, making the book an important historical record of lost Appalachian roadside culture from the 1940s-1970s. 🌺 The book features numerous rare vintage photographs and postcards from the author's personal collection, one of the largest private collections of Southern tourism memorabilia. 🏨 Ghost Town in the Sky, one of the attractions covered in the book, was a Wild West-themed amusement park built on top of Buck Mountain in Maggie Valley, NC, requiring visitors to ride a chairlift to reach the entrance.