When you’re nearing the end of the 11-mile loop road in Cades Cove, you’ll see a small, rustic structure. This is the Carter Shields Cabin! During the springtime, this cabin paints the perfect picture, with dogwood trees in full bloom, a split rail fence and frequent wildlife. Learn more about the Carter Shields Cabin in Cades Cove below!
About the Carter Shields Cabin
The Carter Shields Cabin is the last historical structure that you can visit on the Cades Cove Loop Road. It is said to have been built around 1830. It’s a simple, 1 bedroom cabin, and it’s the only building left remaining on the property. You’ll see the cabin situated in a clearing, with a covered porch. It also features a small loft. In the springtime, the dogwood trees bloom, painting a beautiful picture. Photographers love coming to this spot because of the combination of the trees, the split-rail fence and the deer who frequent the area. In fact, it’s one of the most photographed historic structures in Cades Cove! It’s the perfect last stop on your journey through history in Cades Cove.
You can go inside the small historic cabin when you visit Cades Cove and take a look around! Like the other buildings in the area, the Carter Shields Cabin is open to the public.
Who was Carter Shields?
Although the cabin dates back to the 1830’s, Carter Shields didn’t call the cabin home until 1910. George Washington “Carter” Shields was a veteran of the Civil War. He was crippled in the Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862. Shields chose to retire in Cades Cove, and he lived in the Carter Shields Cabin from 1910 – 1921.
Other Popular Historic Cabins in Cades Cove
We all know that Cades Cove is rich in history, and part of the reason it’s such a popular area is that visitors love exploring some of that history in the old cabins and homesteads that still stand today. The Carter Shields Cabin isn’t the only popular stop visitors make along the Cades Cove Loop. Here are other historic cabins in Cades Cove you should explore:
John Oliver Cabin
The John Oliver Cabin is the first stop along the Cades Cove Loop! It was constructed by the first permanent European settlers in the cove. The original John Oliver Cabin actually stood about 50 yards behind the cabin that still stands in Cades Cove today. The cabin you see today was the honeymoon cabin that the family built for their son to use whenever he married.
Elijah Oliver Place
Elijah Oliver was the son of John Oliver. Elijah Oliver Place is a pioneer complex that includes several buildings. There’s the main cabin, a chicken coop, a smokehouse, a corn crib and a springhouse. The homestead had everything the family needed to survive!
Becky Cable House
The Becky Cable House was originally built in 1879 and was constructed by Leason Gregg out of lumber that was milled at the Cable Grist Mill. The Gregg family lived in the home and ran a small store out of the first floor before it was purchased by Rebecca Cable and Dan Cable. After 8 years, the two closed the store and opened a boarding house. Rebecca was known as a capable and resilient woman. After she passed in 1940, the Becky Cable House was moved to where it stands today near the grist mill and visitor center.
Henry Whitehead Place
The Henry Whitehead Place is one of the most interesting historical structures in Cades Cove! After a woman, Matilda Shields, was deserted by her first husband, she and her son didn’t have a home. The community banded together and built her a small cabin. She then married Henry Whitehead, who was a carpenter and promised to build her a better home. The cabin was built with perfectly planed logs, has thick log walls and a true brick chimney! The cabin was built directly in front of her old residence, and the two roofs are joined together.
Dan Lawson Place
The Dan Lawson Place features both sawn lumber and hewn logs. It also has a modern chimney made out of bricks. As the years went on, more was added to the residence. By the time of his death, the cabin included a large porch and an additional second story. The property the cabin sits on was originally owned by Peter Cable, who is Dan’s father-in-law. The property also had a corn crib and a smokehouse on site.
The Tipton Place
The Tipton Place homestead was settled by William “Billy” Tipton, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. It included a 2-story cabin, a double-pen corn crib, old-fashioned bee gums, a blacksmith shop and a cantilever barn. Visitors love seeing the cantilever barn, however, the one standing in the cove today is a replica of the original.
Learn more about all the stops you can make along the Cades Cove Loop, then start planning your visit to see the Carter Shields Cabin and these other historic structures!
