9 Lakes, dining, downtowns, history, moonshine, National Parks
Newport, TN – A Smoky Mountain Culinary Legacy and Adventure
Adventure abounds in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Wild rivers, majestic mountains and dense forests lure millions of people to the region each year. One often overlooked gateway community to the Smoky Mountains is Newport, a town steeped in an culinary history that transcends time and the imagination. Moonshine, the moon pie, canned... Read More
9 Lakes, downtowns, history, Trails
Wartburg’s Tanner Historic Building and Café to Re-Open on April 22
In the spring of 2015, a small group of citizens took on a project to secure and renovate a historic building on the main square of downtown Wartburg. The challenges would have deterred many, but not this group! Countless small rural county downtowns are blighted with dilapidated vacant buildings, and county budgets that don’t extend... Read More
9 Lakes, driving trails, Getaways, history, motorcycles, National Parks, Trails
Three New National Scenic Byways to Discover
On January 19, 2021, the US Department of Transportation announced that three roads in the 9 Lakes Region have been designated as National Scenic Byways. Many travelers are already familiar with Newfound Gap Road through the Smokies and the Norris Freeway in Anderson County. The third and much lesser known route to discover is the... Read More
9 Lakes, history
February is Black History Month
The history of East Tennessee is a mosaic of moments and people who lived and struggled in this area of Appalachia. The ever changing industries in the 9 Lakes Region has been dependent on the laborers who came either by free- will or by the will of their owner. Pre-Civil War, the region was home... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, history, moonshine
Taste of Local Lore: Whiskey and East Tennessee
There is no doubt that Tennessee has a love/ hate relationship with its heritage and lore of whiskey making. Moonshining is a revered craft in the Appalachian hills of 9 Lakes counties that have been historically “dry” until this last decade. The long struggle between revenuers and illegal distilleries has created legendary tales that define... Read More
9 Lakes, Cultural Influences, history
Cornbread- A Southern Food Legacy of Native Americans
November is Native American Heritage Month. In the Tennessee River Valley, the influences of Native People are everywhere, from the names of the rivers and towns to the complex political and social history of the region. When white adventurers began their explorations as early as 1540, the Native Americans shared food with these early explorers,... Read More
9 Lakes, history, Lakes
An Ode to Dreamers and Planners
The COVID 19 pandemic has altered the normal busy spring schedule in the 9 Lakes region. State governments have implored us to stay apart to stay safe. Campgrounds have closed and spring events have been cancelled or rescheduled. What is not closed is the opportunity to dream and plan. The 9 Lakes region shares a... Read More
9 Lakes, Cultural Influences, history, Lakes, National Parks, Outdoors, Trails
Did You Know? Fun Facts from the 9 Lakes
We love getting out and talking to people about the history of the 9 Lakes. The region was shaped by its mountains and rivers, and by the people who settled this slice of Appalachia. Daniel Boone explored this part of Tennessee to scout land for settlements. As early as the 1840’s, speculators were buying large... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, history
Black History Month
The African American history of East Tennessee is a mosaic of moments and people who lived and struggled in this area of Appalachia. Pre-Civil War, the region was home to people of color, both slaves and freedmen. After Jim Crow, segregation, Civil Rights movement, and the era of urban renewal greatly impacted the lives of... Read More
Area Events, fall foliage, history, Music
King of the Dobro to be Celebrated
King of the Dobro, Josh Graves will be celebrated at the annual Cherohala Skyway Festival to be held October 26 in Tellico Plains. Each year, the festival features art, food, bluegrass music, and a breathtaking backdrop of the Cherokee National Forest awash in autumn colors. The Skyway is one of the National Scenic Byways, and... Read More