As you explore Cades Cove, you will see that a lot of buildings have been preserved thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service. The Cades Cove settlement was big, and there were a lot more buildings in the area when it was thriving. Read on to learn about some of the buildings in Cades Cove that no longer exist:
1. Schoolhouses
There are no surviving schoolhouses in Cades Cove. In fact, the last schoolhouse closed down in 1944. The first schoolhouses in Cades Cove were called “field schools” because they were one-room log structures built in open fields. The insides had dirt floors, and there was no glass in the windows. Families who lived close to each other would share a field school, and all grade levels were typically taught together.
Students were taught up to the fifth grade; along with the typical school subjects, children also learned essential survival skills. School was only in session for 6 weeks to 4 months during the winter. This way, the children would be available to help their parents with farming during the warmer months.
Teachers weren’t always paid in currency. Bartering was a common form of payment, especially among the rural farming families of Cades Cove. Curious to learn more? Read about the history of schools and education in Cades Cove!
2. General Stores & Post Offices
There are also no surviving general stores in Cades Cove. They were full of merchandise that was essential for everyday life, such as nails, cartridges, cooking utensils, and cloth. Settlers could also splurge on luxury items like tobacco and candy. General store owners would buy produce from local farmers to resell. The distance to neighboring towns was often long, so this was a more efficient way for farmers to sell their goods.
Post offices were located within general stores as well. Rural-Free Delivery was established in 1896. This system brought goods directly to the homes of rural residents rather than requiring them to go to a post office. Its purpose was to end rural isolation and equalize services with cities. Residents in Cades Cove could now vote by mail, receive the newspaper, and order items from catalogs.
3. The Caughron House
Many cabins that were built by settlers in Cades Cove still stand today, but many others were torn down once the national park was established. A house that no longer exists but should still be remembered is the Caughron House. Kermit and Lois Caughron were the last permanent residents of Cades Cove. The couple had four children, and they lived without modern electricity! Kermit was known as “the Bee Man” and sold local honey to tourists, and he lived in the area until he passed away in 1999.
The Caughron house was located close to the Dan Lawson Place. The property also had a barn that was destroyed by a storm. As you look at the cabins still in Cades Cove, think of how fun it would be to live off the land!
More Historical Structures in Cades Cove
There are plenty of buildings and historical structures still around that preserve Cades Cove's history! Ready to learn more? Read about some of the Cades Cove cabins and buildings that have been moved from their original locations!
