The Smoky Mountains National Park is not only pretty to look at. The thriving settlements that were there long ago give the area a rich historical background. The National Park Service has worked hard to preserve a lot of the buildings so that the legacy of the hard-working settlers can live on, one of those being the Walker Sisters Cabin. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on the Walker Sisters Cabin in the Smoky Mountains!
When Was it Built?
The Walker Sisters Cabin in the Smoky Mountains was built on a 400-acre portion of a farm in the 1800s by the sisters’ father, John Walker. Walker inherited the land from his father-in-law and built the structure using a cabin that was already there. He constructed an L-shaped cabin with 3 rooms. There was a kitchen, a main living space, and an upper floor. Outside, there was a pig pen, a corn crib, and a smokehouse. There was no running water or indoor plumbing, so the family relied on a flowing spring. A spring house was constructed over it to keep the water clean.
Who Lived There?
John and his wife lived in the cabin with their 11 children, 4 sons and 7 daughters. All of the sons and one of the daughters married and moved away. The 6 remaining sisters inherited the property when their father died in 1921 and lived in the cabin together. They assumed all the responsibilities of farm life, such as raising livestock and growing vegetables. One of the sisters passed away in 1931, and 5 of them were still living in the cabin when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated in 1940. The sisters refused to leave the cabin, so they were offered a lifetime lease. The sisters were very friendly to park visitors. People loved buying their homemade baked goods and toys. The cabin remained occupied until 1964 when the last of the 6 sisters died.
How to Find the Walker Sisters Cabin in the Smoky Mountains
While no one lives in the Walker Sisters Cabin today, it has been preserved and hikers can take a look inside. To see the cabin, you take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail. It’s an easy route that is 1.2 miles roundtrip. As you’re walking along, you should also look out for the Little Greenbrier School. It was built in 1881 by John Walker himself. While it was used as a school, the building also served as a community meeting place. Settlers loved to gather there for church services. You can go inside and pretend to be a student. There are 2 rows of wooden desks facing a chalkboard at the front. After you finish your hike, stick around and have a picnic. The picnic route has charcoal grills, covered seating, and restrooms. You will love having a delicious meal in the fresh air.
Now you know all the details about the Walker Sisters Cabin in the Smoky Mountains. If you want to learn more about another trail that leads to this historic site, explore the Little Brier Trail!
