National Register Listings in
Sevier County, Tennessee

Andes, Riley H., House Avent, Mayna Treanor, Studio Brabson's Ferry Plantation Buckingham House Cole, Alex, Cabin Douglas Hydroelectric Project Elkmont Historic District, Great Smoky Mountains NP First Methodist Church, Gatlinburg Harrisburg Covered Bridge Headrick's Chapel Keener-Johnson Farm King-Walker Place Little Greenbrier School-Church McCarter, Tyson, Place Messer Barn New Salem Baptist Church Ogle, Bud, Farm Ownby, John, Cabin Perry's Camp Pigeon Forge Mill Pittman Community Center Home Economics Building Roaring Fork Historic District Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church Rose Glen Settlement School Community Outreach Historic District Settlement School Dormitories and Dwellings Historic District Sevier County Courthouse Sevierville Commercial Historic District Sevierville Masonic Lodge Shults Grove Methodist Church Thomas Addition Historic District Trotter-McMahan Farm (Boundary Increase) Trotter-McMahan House US Post Office-Sevierville Wade, Dwight and Kate, House Walker Mill Hydroelectric Station Waters House Wheatlands
Tennessee was the site of the first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States. The Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar Nuclear Plant began operating in 1996 and remains in operation today.
Tennessee random facts
Sevier County, Tennessee, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, who established settlements along the banks of the Little Pigeon River. European explorers, including Spanish and French expeditions, first encountered the region in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the late 18th century, settlers from the eastern United States began to migrate to the area, attracted by the fertile land and abundant natural resources. John Sevier, a Revolutionary War hero, played a significant role in the early development of the county. He served as the first governor of Tennessee and the county's namesake.

Sevier County saw rapid growth and development in the 19th century, driven by industries such as farming, logging, and mining. The establishment of the Little River Lumber Company in the early 1900s led to the logging boom, and the town of Townsend became a hub of timber activity. However, the devastating effects of deforestation and overlogging led to the decline of the timber industry in the mid-20th century.

The late 20th century saw the rise of tourism as the main industry in Sevier County. The opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934 attracted visitors from all over the country, and the construction of the Gatlinburg Sky Lift and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort further increased tourism in the area. Today, Sevier County is known as a popular vacation destination, offering outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, and attractions such as Dollywood, owned by country music star Dolly Parton.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Sevier County, Tennessee.

  • 1783 - Sevier County is established by the State of North Carolina.
  • 1794 - The county is named after John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee.
  • 1801 - The first courthouse is built in Sevierville, the county seat.
  • 1861-1865 - Sevier County is divided during the American Civil War, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others supporting the Union.
  • 1900s - Tourism begins to develop in Sevier County, with the opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934.
  • 1982 - Dollywood, a theme park owned by Dolly Parton, opens in Pigeon Forge.